[AD – PR Gifted] One of my favourite things about this time of year is the emergence of all the twinkly lights. Kicking off this joy with Christmas at Dunham Massey was a brilliant way to get inspired about my light display. Although, it definitely won’t be anywhere near as impressive or elaborate! I can dream, can’t I?!
A glittering, illuminated trail
The trail takes you through an imaginative adventure of light and colour, from tinkling light tunnels to radiant flowers, candle-like lanterns, and lasers. We arrived to find that the trail route was different from last year, which made us all the more curious about where it would lead us. It was nice to immediately fill your nostrils with the sweet cinnamon-spiced scent of the market stands as we weaved our way towards the path. It was so lovely to feel the giddiness of everyone making their way in. No matter your age, Christmas at Dunham Massey will gear you up for the festive season!
Music to make you boogie
Throughout the trail, the music lures you into each experience. Sometimes quite ambient, sometimes more lively. Each one creates an atmosphere that absorbs and encapsulates you. It made me smile how many of us (me included!) found a little wiggle here or a full-blown pirouette there while making our way along the glowing trail. Synchronised stepping as we went past the flashing lights.
Sensory sensation!
With the twinkling lights and the fanciful music came the sweet aromas of the market stands halfway through the trail. Traditional stalls selling fire-roasted sausages, spiced Mulled wine, and luxuriously sugary hot chocolate. To top it off, there was a firepit ready for toasting marshmallows and warming hands. While we didn’t have the treats, we did enjoy the laughter and sights as people excitedly prepared their skewers for the marshmallow toasting.
Garden Transformation
It is impressive when you’re meandering along the Christmas at Dunham Massey light trail that you can’t even begin to remember how the manicured gardens look on an ordinary day. In the darkness, with the coloured lights as your guide, everything looks completely different. They even lit up the buildings, making them even more special than they usually are.
Every turn along the trail brought even more impressive light displays. Some were Potteresque, and others reminiscent of the house music scene from the 90s! I was constantly in awe that there were so many different ways to design lighting in such an immersive outdoor setting. I think even in the rain, it would have been lovely, but I was thankful for the dry on our visit (bar the mud underfoot)
A magical experience
I don’t know about you, but I get excited at the mere mention of Christmas. I used to be pretty blase about it, but as I get older, the giddier I get! This big kid needed only to follow the Christmas at Dunham Massey trail to get into the Christmas spirit. It is a magical experience with such glorious glimmering lights and seasonal music that you get carried away with it all. Before I knew it, we had been wandering in awe for two hours! (definitely worth the price for that length of time gawping at the lights and jigging to the music) It felt longer than last year, or at least they packed in twice as many lights!
My favourite of all has to be the tree towards the end! Like lightning striking through the wood and down to the ground to the rhythm of the music. It was a fantastic show. Crowds gathered to watch as it shone and danced, preparing us for the tunnel of flowers and the finale of the fountain light show on the lake. To say they finished on a high is an understatement!
The fountain finale
Had I have been left with the floating flowers (see top picture) and magical tree, I would have been happy. Add on the dancing musical fountain and I was made up! It felt like the displays I remember from my visits to Disney Land, Florida as a child. So vibrant and exciting! It finished the experience on a high. (check out my Instagram Reel for the full feel of the Christmas at Dunham Massey light trail)
The Christmas at Dunham Massey trail runs from the 20th of November 2022 to the 2nd of January 2023, so be sure to book tickets as soon as you can! It’s worth a visit.