Giant Glowing Toadstools And Hazel Wolf To Transform Sizergh Estate This Christmas
Giant glowing toadstools, illuminated woodland displays and a spectacular hazel wolf will transform the grounds of Sizergh near Kendal this festive season.
The National Trust's Winter at Sizergh experience will return for its third year, running daily from Friday, November 20, until Thursday, December 24. Visitors will be able to explore the illuminated grounds between noon and 8pm, discovering 16 installations inspired by the estate's wildlife, landscape and history.
This year's trail brings together established artists, local designers and pupils from three primary schools: Endmoor, Crosthwaite and Sandgate. The collaborative project aims to connect the natural environment with creative work produced by the local community, giving younger participants an opportunity to contribute to a major seasonal attraction.
Among the most striking new features will be illuminated toadstools standing six metres tall. The installations are designed to create an unusual woodland atmosphere, transforming familiar parts of the estate into a colourful winter landscape as darkness falls.
Another highlight will be a starling murmuration projected onto the courtyard walls. Inspired by the spectacular gatherings of birds at RSPB Leighton Moss, the display will recreate the movement of a flock through light and projection, bringing a familiar natural phenomenon into the historic setting.
Visitors will also encounter an avenue of giant illuminated ferns, alongside inflatable ferns that appear to unfurl. Giant snowdrops and thistles will add further botanical features, with the installations drawing inspiration from Sizergh's Victorian stumpery and the estate's natural surroundings.
The creative project is being led by Dan Fox, director of Ulverston-based Sound Intervention. He is heading a 10-person team that includes five other Cumbrian designers, bringing together different artistic and technical skills to deliver the experience.
Artist Martin Brockman began working with pupils from the three participating primary schools in June. Together, they created a large wolf and two deer using hazel harvested from the estate, giving the woodland-inspired displays a strong connection to local materials and the surrounding landscape.
The experience will continue inside Sizergh House, where nine rooms will be transformed to showcase a Georgian Christmas. Visitors will be able to explore a festive setting inspired by an 18th-century social gathering, offering a contrast to the illuminated outdoor trail.
One of the major additions inside the house will be the newly restored drawing room, which is reopening after three years. The rooms will recreate the atmosphere of a Georgian celebration, with visitors able to hear the sounds of an 18th-century gathering and explore a supper box inspired by rare paintings of London's Vauxhall Gardens.
Sound will play an important role throughout the experience. Fox has created bespoke soundtracks for different areas using his own recordings, including music played on a thumb piano and Roman organ. The soundscape will also incorporate recordings of a local string quartet warming up inside the house, helping create the impression of a historic gathering.
The installations have been designed to withstand Cumbria's winter weather while making use of sustainable materials and construction methods. Existing pieces have been reused, while other elements incorporate plastic bottles and ex-military pneumatic telescopic masts. The project also uses mains electricity and avoids cable ties and noisy generators to reduce waste and disruption.
Families visiting the estate will have plenty of opportunities to take part rather than simply view the displays. Activities include an interactive children's trail, air harps, star-dancing and creative crafts in the Great Barn. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal food and drink while exploring the grounds at their own pace.
Dan Fox described this year's experience as the team's strongest so far, explaining that working on the site over previous years had helped them understand how visitors interact with the installations. He also highlighted the contribution of nationally recognised artists and the creative development behind the new displays.
Sean Fletcher, the National Trust's visitor operations and experience manager, said the trail had been designed as a community-focused experience with a nature-inspired approach to Christmas. He encouraged visitors to explore at their own pace and enjoy the range of activities available for different ages.
Winter at Sizergh is expected to provide a distinctive festive attraction for residents and visitors across Cumbria and beyond. Combining illuminated artwork, historic interiors, original soundscapes and family activities, the programme offers a different way to experience the estate during the winter months.
The event runs daily from noon until 8pm between November 20 and December 24. Advance booking is recommended through the National Trust website, with tickets available for members and non-members. Further information is available at National Trust – Winter at Sizergh.
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