Stourhead estate opens up Christmas light trails
The popular installations are back until the New Year
Wiltshire's Stourhead estate have unveiled this year’s Christmas lights display.
There’s 12 immersive light and sound installations across the historic National Trust grounds near Mere - on show until January 1st 2023.
General manager Philip Niemant says it's an important event for the site. He says all the money raised goes towards conservation:
"We spend £1 million a year investing in conservation of the estate - so that's the Palladian mansion house, with a roof that sometimes feel a bit leaky; that's a large estate with four farmers; all the agricultural buildings; the Bristol Cross, that's 650 years old..."
Highlights of the trail include more than 600 illuminated poppies, with the theme taking inspiration from astrology and stars.
General manager Philip Niemant says it's a great way to get children outside:
"You see kiddies walking around looking up into trees that have been uplit, so they embrace the landscape in a different way to they might do in the day and that gets them excited and energised. We have one tree that's lit and is 38 metres high, and the kids love that!"
The trails at Stourhead are put together by Sony Music and Raymond Gubbay Ltd.
Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails, 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.”
The lights are open to visitors each night from 4.30pm to 10.00pm - except for the 28th and 29th November, 5th and 6th of December and the 24th and 25th of December.
Tickets are £21.50 for adults, £15.00 for children aged 3-16; £71.00 for families (2 adults + 2 children), with parking costing £8 per car, or free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
You can find out more on their website.