Giant Glowing Toadstools And Hazel Wolf To Illuminate Sizergh This Christmas
Giant glowing toadstools, illuminated wildlife and a hazel wolf made with local schoolchildren will transform Sizergh near Kendal when its winter trail returns.
Winter at Sizergh will run daily from November 20 to December 24, opening between noon and 8pm. Now in its third year, the National Trust event will feature 16 installations inspired by the estate’s wildlife, history and landscape. The experience combines outdoor light and sound displays with festive activities and a seasonal presentation inside Sizergh House.
This year’s new attractions include illuminated toadstools standing six metres tall and a projection of a starling murmuration across the courtyard walls. The latter takes inspiration from the spectacular gatherings of starlings at nearby RSPB Leighton Moss. Visitors will also be able to discover a range of installations celebrating the estate’s natural features, including giant light-emitting ferns, illuminated inflatable ferns, snowdrops and thistles.
The displays have been created by a team of established artists working alongside pupils from Endmoor, Crosthwaite and Sandgate primary schools. Artist Martin Brockman began working with children from the three schools in June, helping them create a large wolf and two deer using hazel cut from the Sizergh estate.
Dan Fox, director of Ulverston-based Sound Intervention, is leading a 10-strong creative team, which includes five other Cumbrian designers. The project brings together artistic work and local involvement, with the installations designed to reflect the character of the estate and its surroundings.
The outdoor trail also draws attention to Sizergh’s Victorian stumpery, with a series of illuminated features inspired by woodland plants and wildlife. An avenue of giant light-emitting ferns will form part of the route, alongside other large-scale botanical displays. The installations are intended to give visitors a different perspective on the grounds during the winter months.
Inside Sizergh House, nine rooms will be presented as a Georgian Christmas celebration. The programme includes the newly restored drawing room, which has reopened after three years. Visitors will be able to experience an interpretation of an 18th-century gathering and take a seat in a supper box inspired by rare paintings of Vauxhall Gardens.
Sound will play an important part in the indoor experience. Mr Fox has created bespoke soundtracks for the different areas using recordings made by himself. The musical elements include scores played on a thumb piano and Roman organ, alongside the sound of a local string quartet warming up inside the house.
The organisers have also considered the practical and environmental demands of staging a large outdoor event during a Cumbrian winter. The installations have been designed to withstand the weather, while existing pieces are being reused as part of the project. Other materials include plastic bottles and ex-military pneumatic telescopic masts.
The project uses mains electricity and avoids cable ties, with the organisers saying these measures help reduce waste and remove the need for noisy generators. The approach is intended to make use of materials and equipment in a way that supports the event while limiting unnecessary waste.
Mr Fox said the team had developed a better understanding of the site and how visitors respond to the displays after previous years. He described this year’s programme as the best yet, highlighting the contribution of nationally recognised artists and the new work being introduced for the 2026 trail.
The installations take months to design and several weeks to assemble on site. The work is carried out alongside National Trust rangers and Sean Fletcher, the organisation’s visitor operations and experience manager, bringing together the creative team and estate staff in preparing the grounds for visitors.
Families will also be able to take part in a range of activities during the event. These include a children’s trail, air harps, star-dancing and craft activities in the Great Barn. Seasonal food and drink will be available, giving visitors the opportunity to combine the illuminated displays with other festive experiences.
Mr Fletcher said the trail had been designed for everyone, with a nature-inspired approach to the festive season. He encouraged visitors to explore at their own pace and enjoy the different activities available across the site.
With its combination of large-scale outdoor installations, community-created artwork and a Georgian Christmas inside the house, Winter at Sizergh will offer visitors several ways to experience the estate during the run-up to Christmas. The event runs from November 20 to December 24, with the trail open daily from noon until 8pm.
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