Christmas at Dunham Massey (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Britons seeking the spirit of Christmas have a wide choice of UK festive light walks – so we visited Dunham Massey’s to see if they really do leave a merry glow inside.
The magical hour-long trail in the expansive gardens of the National Trust 17th Century property near Altrincham, Greater Manchester, is a treat for all the senses – and those hunting the perfect selfie.
In recent years, Christmas at Dunham Massey has been one of Yuletide’s hot tickets with its blend of sounds, rainbow beams, animatronics and street food vendors, festive drinks and hot delicacies.
Giant glowing reindeers mark the entrance before beginning the trail with a star-filled tunnel and glittering projections across the lake – staff always on hand to take your family picture.
The star-tunnel is just one of a series of brightly-lit caverns made for selfies, before you reach fields of singing art installations and twinkling light shows.
Christmas at Dunham Massey (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Christmas at Dunham Massey (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Don’t miss…
En route you’re accompanied by Christmas classics like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole – Xmas hits old and new – often in rhythm with the lights.
With the mercury plunging to just 2C (35.6F) during our stroll, the oasis of hot drinks and treats mid-way was welcome, along with huge fire pits for the kids to roast marshmallows.
And round one corner you’ll even come face-to-face with Father Christmas himself, there with a smile to greet the excited children.
This winter brings even more magic than before with the debut of several breathtaking new light artworks designed to captivate visitors of all ages.
The stunning after-dark illuminated trail, created by Culture Creative in partnership with Sony Music and the National Trust, features cutting-edge installations from world-renowned artists.
Christmas at Dunham Massey fields of flowers (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Christmas at Dunham Massey rainbow bridge (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Don’t miss…
Christmas at Dunham Massey light tunnel (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
Christmas at Dunham Massey the hall lit up (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)
One is Luminosi Trees by Sound Intervention, where three towering six-metre-high light trees change colour in sync with a unique music composition inspired by the Fibonacci sequence.
Another ethereal, exciting addition is On The Tide by the international art collective Squidsoup, that mesmerizes with floating points of light that dance across the water.
Also debuting is Fire Dancers by Maria Hingerty and Brian Thunder, a striking installation inspired by Christmas table-top chimes – a fire-based artwork symbolising human unity and joy, evoking the warmth of true, Dickensian Christmas spirit.
Meanwhile the trail itself boasts over a million twinkling lights, glittering baubles, and tunnels of illumination that truly transform the historic estate into a magical winter wonderland.
The trail is open from now until Friday January 1st. Advanced tickets from: Off Peak Adult £19, child £12.50 (age 3-16), family £60 (2+2). Parking £8, National Trust members can park for free if booked BEFORE the day.
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Christmas at Dunham Massey (Image: Andrew Ogilvy)