Luminate, the UK’s number one immersive light trail, is set to brighten up the darkest of winter nights, as it takes visitors on an illuminated journey filled with wonder and intrigue, ahead of the festive season. This November, Luminate comes to Arley Hall, Cheshire’s historic country estate. The light trail is an after-dark adventure and one which is sure to captivate all ages – an experience not to be missed in the lead-up to the festive season.
As darkness descends, visitors can weave their way through an immersive light experience through the private family woodlands on the estate – which are not usually open to the public. This mesmerising trail features stunning light elements and interactive light play all set to a beautiful soundtrack.
The team behind Luminate create bespoke installations that deliver those wow moments and take your breath away. New to Arley Hall this year, Luminate is bringing an installation called Shifting Visions, designed by Adam Povey, featuring hundreds of light batons that are set to a medley of music, which light up. The incredible piece featured at Sandringham, the King’s estate last year and was a big hit. As the dark nights draw in, this is a sure-fire way to light up the faces of friends and family as you explore. On the route there will be mulled wine and marshmallows to toast on fire pits, to keep the chill away.
Arley Hall is a country house estate near Northwich Cheshire. It is the much-loved home of Lord and Lady Ashbrook and has been in their family for centuries. Arley Estate is a place of enormous character and charm, and the gardens are amongst the finest in the UK. The present house was built between 1832 -1845 by Rowland Egerton Warburton to the designs of George Latham a local architect. It is a magnificent location and has provided the backdrop to many films and television series, including the blockbuster Peaky Blinders.
This winter Arley Hall has a packed daytime Christmas programme with Festively Floral launching in Arley Hall with Christmas trees and flower displays. The family’s private woodland will provide a magical setting for Luminate with displays featuring fairies and the ever-popular wishing wall where visitors can make a wish on a tag and pin it to the wall ahead of the festivities. Who knows what 2025 will bring you – wishes can come true! Warming seasonal food and drink will be on offer at the entrance and exit point and visitors can spend time relaxing there on the illuminated swings.
Janine Maycock, part of the Luminate team, says: “We work hard to ensure Luminate is a fun and enchanting evening out. We have lots of family visitors, but it is also a romantic date night and has sparked several proposals of marriage. The trail is different each year, so there is always a surprise, and we look forward to welcoming people for the first time to Luminate at Arley Hall.”
General Manager at Arley Hall, Bridget Roberts, says: “We are delighted to welcome Luminate to Arley. This magical trail appeals to all ages and will be a fantastic addition to our annual calendar of events. The private woodland at Arley is a pretty special space and with the lights and effects of Luminate it will take on an enchanted fairy-tale feeling. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to this fantastic event.”
Luminate proudly supports several charities by donating tickets. For Arley Hall the charities include Warrington Youth Zone, a purpose-built state of the art facility for the town’s young people aged 7 – 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. It builds on the fantastic work and legacy of Warrington Youth Club
There will be two evenings on Monday December 2 and Monday December 9 where visitors are able to come along with their four-legged friends and the trail is flat and on a wide, hard-surface path suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and pushchairs.
The team at Luminate works with Ecologi to offset their carbon footprint and have planted over 80,000 trees to date.
