Staffordshire’s The Trentham Estate is set to offer some much-needed seasonal sparkle this winter, thanks to a new light trail offering an exclusive chance to explore one of the country’s top garden attractions after dark.
Revealing the gardens in a new light, visitors will be able to experience the natural beauty of Trentham, on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, as well as get a different perspective on its statues and architectural structures too.
And for a sprinkling of festive fairy dust, eight of Trentham’s wire sculptures, making-up the ever-popular Fairy Trail, will be dressed for the season… in fairy lights, of course.
Featuring a one-way route, with sympathetic lighting highlighting natural planting as well as sculptures and garden installations, the new Winter Light Trail, aptly called ‘Fairy Lights’, is scheduled to run for a total of 19 nights, from 11 December 2020 until 3 January 2021.
Helping to maintain social distancing and to create an exclusive atmosphere for visitors, the new trail will have a limited capacity each night. Tickets must be booked in advance.
With the highly acclaimed Italian Gardens providing the trail’s backdrop, a series of lights, including uplighters, spotlights and festoon lighting, will bring the area to life in a new way. As well as highlighting the natural planting and formal borders of the Italian Gardens, the trail will shed new light on the stone fountains, Loggia and Rose Trellis.
Completing the sparkling line-up, Trentham’s famous ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ statue – the only true copy of an original 16th century masterpiece located in Florence, Italy – will also have its own lighting display as well.
This ‘garden of light’ at Christmas, utilising a simple, yet effective display, has been designed to reflect Trentham’s history as a former historic home and community ‘pleasure ground’, and to showcase how families can still enjoy being together in outdoor spaces.
Said Kerry Endsor, Trentham’s Events Manager: “As 2020 has been such an incredibly difficult year, we want our winter light trail to be a celebration of hope, light and positivity.
“This challenging year has perhaps shown that we have previously taken for granted being with loved ones and coming together in natural and beautiful surroundings. But now, I think we all appreciate those simple pleasures, more than ever.
“We want to connect with our visitors and showcase how, especially after this terrible year we have all been through together, Trentham remains here as a constant and magical place to explore.”
‘Fairy Lights’ will run from 11 December through to 3 January, except for three days over Christmas as well as closing New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Tickets cost £8 per adult and £6 per child, with discounts for annual ticket holders, and those under 3 get free entry. Tickets must be pre-booked.
For further details, to book tickets and check current Government restrictions visit www.trentham.co.uk