The magical, after-dark, illuminated trail

A new Christmas trail in Manchester, opening 1 – 30 December 2017, will light up Dunham Massey's landscaped parkland, transforming the outdoor space into a magical illuminated wonderland. Featuring over 100,000 lights and 22 individual scenes and installations, this immersive experience is one not to miss.

Leading the creative, design and implementation is Zoe Bottrell from Culture Creative, who has designed the popular festive trail, Christmas at Kew, which has seen over 1 million visitors over the last four years.

She says: “It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to create an experience at a National Trust property. Working in a historical landscape creates its own challenges. From the vast amount of infrastructure, to getting hundreds of visitors into the gardens, whilst keeping them pristine in the midst of winter. It is my job to work with the team at the property to protect the landscape, making it a long careful and exacting process of design. “

Dunham Massey, with its Georgian architecture, fascinating family history and ancient deer park landscape has provided much cultural inspiration for the creative designer.

The magical trail will lead visitors through the gardens, highlighting Dunham Massey's rich horticultural history and grandeur, all with the wonderful entertainment of the festive season.

The trail weaves across the landscape, telling little stories and encouraging visitors to interact with the seasonal themes.

From a Meadow of Light featuring a sea of fibre optics, to a Fire Garden that will glow with hundreds of flaming installations, as well as a giant unmissable mistletoe sculpture, visitors will be awed by the sheer scale of illuminations.

The lawn will be adorned with large, oversized baubles surrounded by highly decorated trees. Famous for its copses, visitors will see the magnificent trees dressed with strong coloured lights as well as dramatic cold wintery whites on the beautiful silver birch.

The great lake at Dunham Massey will feature floating light installations and maximise the reflections from the architectural lights which will transform the House. 

As well as illuminations, the landscape will be filled with seasonal sounds including Singing Trees and festive performances making the experience totally immersive.

Visitors will be able to interact with the landscape in two very special locations; firstly, at the Selfie Station by the Wishing Tree and secondly the romantic Mistletoe Moment. Encouraging visitors to take images as visual mementoes of their experience is part of the family friendly design.

Kirsten Warren, General Manager at Dunham Massey says: “I'm excited to see Dunham Massey in an entirely new light this Christmas and sharing this brand new experience with all our visitors.”

She continues: “It's been a dream of ours to light-up the grounds of Dunham at Christmas and we are delighted that Raymond Gubbay Limited are helping us to make this dream a reality for our visitors. Events like this are important for us to continue to inspire people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors in news way and supports the work we do to look after Dunham Massey for generations to come.”

The trail has been specially designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

What: Christmas at Dunham Massey, the magical, after-dark, illuminated trail

When: From 1 – 30 December

Why Visit: Discover a new Christmas light trail set within the beautiful landscape of Dunham Massey created for all the family to enjoy.

Admission: Advance    | Adult £16.00, Child (5-16) £10.00, Family £48.00
                          On the day     | Adult £18.00, Child (5-16) £12.00, Family £56.00                

National Trust Member | Adult £14.50, Child (5-16) £8.50, Family £42.00

Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

#christmasatdunhammassey

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548

Notes to Editors

Christmas at Dunham Massey is produced by Raymond Gubbay in partnership with the National Trust. registered charity 205846.

About Dunham Massey

Set within a 3000-acre estate, Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the urban sprawl of Manchester and rural tranquillity of Cheshire. The Georgian house at the centre of the park, once the home of the Earls of Stamford and Warrington, contains over 400 years worth of family history as well as notable collections and archives. The park's unique habitat supports a herd of fallow deer as well as important bird and insect life which can be spotted amongst the avenues of trees. Dunham Massey also boasts one of the North's great gardens, with the largest winter garden in the UK ad a rose garden. Locally sourced food and drink can be enjoyed in the café or restaurant and a range of gifts and plants can be purchased from the shop.

nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

About Raymond Gubbay Ltd

Founded in 1966 by Raymond Gubbay, Raymond Gubbay Ltd is recognised as being at the forefront of promoting and producing popular classical music, opera, ballet and events in the United Kingdom. Christmas at Dunham Massey is one of a series of Christmas light trails which include Christmas at Kew, Christmas at Blenheim and Christmas at the Botanics, all produced by Raymond Gubbay.   Additionally, the company regularly presents over 500 performances each year in London, around the UK and abroad. raymondgubbay.co.uk

About Culture Creative

The design team behind this festive lighting display, which takes its inspiration from Blenheim Palace's vast landscape and history, is Culture Creative, who have previously worked with English Heritage, the National Trust, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Forestry Commission and the National Trust for Scotland.  For more information about Culture Creative please see their website culturecreative.co.uk