Immersive and spectacular artworks will transform the National Trust's world famous landscape garden and Palladian mansion this winter, with the return of the dazzling light trail between 25 November and 1 January.

New large-scale illuminations for 2022 created by international artists include Floraison by Pitaya, a French creative studio, who have created a dazzling display of more than 600 glowing poppies which surround friends and families on the trail.

Visitors to Stourhead, in Wiltshire, will also be spellbound at the sight of NOVA by Studio Vertigo. Inspired by astronomy and the awakening of a new star, this installation glows from its core surrounded by magical mist.

Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We are hugely excited by the plans for this year's trail, with artists creating beautiful, new installations which will provide even more 'wow' factor for 2022.”

Visitors will discover a winter wonderland in this unmissable landscape. Explore the Christmas Cathedral aglow with thousands of bud lights twinkling in the forest. Find inspiration in Ithaca Studio's Sea of Light and be mesmerized by the flickering flames in the fire garden.

Experience the larger-than-life light installations and don't forget to wave hello to Father Christmas along the way. 

Tasty treats await visitors with independent street food vendors offering their delicious menus. End the trail at Stourhead and warm up under the stars with a *spiced winter warmer or *hot chocolate shared with friends and family. Everyone loves toasting a marshmallow over an open fire and the artisan *marshmallow stall gives visitors the chance to warm their hands and enjoy this sweet outdoor tradition.

Christmas at Stourhead provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible for all to enjoy.

Book now to secure your choice of date and time at christmasatstourhead.seetickets.com

Christmas at Stourhead is brought to you by Sony Music in partnership with the National Trust.  The trail is created by Culture Creative.

What:              Christmas at Stourhead - The after-dark illuminated trail through festive gardens

When:             From 25 November 2022 to 1 January 2023.

Open from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm.

Closed 28/29 Nov 05/06/24//25 Dec

Why Visit:       Discover a Christmas illuminated trail for all the family set within the beautiful

landscape of Stourhead.

Admission:     Advanced From: Adult £21.50, Child £15.00 (Age 3-16); Family £71.00 (2 adults + 2 children) Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.

Website:         christmasatstourhead.seetickets.com

Address:         Stourhead, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6SH

For more information please contact:

Matt Dixon | matt@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | T: 01637 808220

Image Credits

Stourhead by Art AV and White Roses by Culture Creative, My Christmas Trails 2021. Photo by Richard Haughton © Sony Music

Christmast Cathedral by Mandylights My Christmas Trails 2021. Photo by Richard Haughton © Sony Music

Floraison by Pitaya, My Christmas Trails Photo by Rikard Osterlund

About Stourhead

Stourhead is a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. When it first opened in the 1740s, a magazine described it as 'a living work of art'. The world-famous landscape garden has at its centrepiece a magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees, and offers a day of adventure.

The history of Stourhead can be uncovered in the house with its unique Regency library, Chippendale furniture and inspirational paintings.

The Palladian house is set amid 'picnic perfect' lawns and extensive parkland (2,650 acres), where chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland are managed for wildlife.

About Sony Music

About RGL (Raymond Gubbay Limited – a division of Sony Music)

RGL/Sony Music has been delivering hugely successful illuminated trails for almost ten years. Each trail is carefully designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of its iconic setting. There are currently over 30 trails across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia within the Christmas, Halloween, IGNITE and Lightscape portfolios.

The chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues include: Blenheim Palace; The National Trust; Forestry England; Historic Royal Palaces; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh; Leeds Castle Botanic Gardens, Chicago, USA and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia.

mychristmastrails.co.uk | FB @mychristmastrails | Twitter @mychristmastrails

About Culture Creative

Culture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the North East of England. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with Sony Music to create Lightscape and Christmas themed trails in various venues across the UK and overseas.

www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative | Instagram @culturecreativeltd

About the National Trust

The National Trust is a conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people: Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, who saw the importance of the nation's heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. Today, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, they continue to look after places so people and nature can thrive.

The challenges of the coronavirus pandemic have shown this is more important than ever. From finding fresh air and open skies to tracking a bee's flight to a flower; from finding beauty in an exquisite painting or discovering the hidden history of a country house nearby – the places they care for enrich people's lives.

Entirely independent of Government, the National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 780 miles of coastline and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves.

The National Trust is for everyone – they were founded for the benefit of the whole nation. They receive on average more than 26.9 million visits each year to the places they care for that have an entry fee, and an estimated 100m visits to the outdoor places that are free of charge. Paying visitors, together with their 5.6 million members and more than 53,000 volunteers, support their work to care for nature, beauty, history. For everyone, for ever.

For more information and ideas for great seasonal days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk