The countdown to Christmas is on as National Trust's beautiful Wimpole Estate opened its gates for the glittering illuminated Trail on Friday, November 26.

Visitors were thrilled to be surrounded by more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music around the grounds of the largest house in Cambridgeshire.

There are burnished lantern trees filled with flickering flames, neon strings stretched between towering trees, singing trees, larger-than-life mistletoe and perhaps a glimpse at Father Christmas too.

Festive fun facts:

• There are over 1/4 million individual LEDs (used to minimise power consumption)
• More than 5,000 metres of electrical power cable used to power the lights
• 1,200 metres of neon string light trees and landscapes
• It took the crew 2,872 hours to build with an average 20,975 steps or 8.5 miles per day. (48 National Trust scones were also consumed in the making)
• Electric buggies used for transport on site to minimise carbon foot print

Independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer with firm favourites toasted marshmallows, and mulled hot drinks.

My Christmas at Wimpole provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience and a simple gift to buy for others. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible to all to enjoy. Tickets are selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment http://christmasatwimpole.co.uk

Christmas at Wimpole is brought to you by Sony Music in partnership with the National Trust.  The trail is created by Culture Creative.

What:               Christmas at Wimpole - The after-dark illuminated trail through festive gardens
When:              From 26 November 2021 – 2 January 2022.

Open from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm.
The festive trail is open on selected dates

Why Visit:        Discover a Christmas illuminated trail for all the family set within the beautiful

landscape of Wimpole.

Admission:      Advanced From: Adult £18, Child £14, Family £60 (2 adults & 2 children). 
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.

Parking £8 per car.

Website:          http://christmasatwimpole.co.uk | #christmasattwimpole | #mychristmastrails

Address:          Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW

For more information please contact:

Matt Dixon | matt@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | T: 01637 873379 

Notes to Editors

• For full pricing details and booking please visit: org.uk/wimpole
• For information about COVID19 and booking tickets with confidence visit: https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/covid-19/
• *Additional charges apply

 About Wimpole

Wimpole first opened to visitors in 1979, considered the finest country house in Cambridgeshire bequeathed to the National Trust by Mrs Elsie Bambridge, daughter of Rudyard Kipling.  Wimpole had a succession of owners from Lord Harley (1711-1740) to the Earls of Hardwicke (1740-1894) and Viscount's Clifden, before being bought by Elsie Bambridge in 1930's and has a roll-call of celebrated architects and landscape designers who have developed both the mansion and parkland into a place of beauty and graceful living.  James Gibbs splendid Library and Sir John Soane's extraordinary Yellow Drawing Room and Bath House are amongst the unusual architectural features of the Mansion, whilst the works of Humphrey I. Repton, Sanderson Miller (the Gothic Folly) and 'Capability' Brown is evident in the wooded parkland.

During the day visitors can enjoy the grand Hall, Pleasure Grounds, ebullient Walled Garden and unique shop with local produce and one of Wimpole's three eateries.  There are many walks to enjoy around the landscaped park including a Multi User Trail on the wider estate and at Wimpole's working Home Farm, with its historical farmyard and modern farmyard, visitors can learn about the special rare breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate/

About the National Trust 

The National Trust is a conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people: Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, who saw the importance of the nation's heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. Today, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we continue to look after places so people and nature can thrive.

The challenges of the coronavirus pandemic have shown this is more important than ever. From finding fresh air and open skies to tracking a bee's flight to a flower; from finding beauty in an exquisite painting or discovering the hidden history of a country house nearby - the places we care for enrich people's lives.

Entirely independent of Government, the National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 780 miles of coastline and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves.

The National Trust is for everyone - we were founded for the benefit of the whole nation. We receive on average more than 26.9 million visits each year to the places we care for that have an entry fee, and an estimated 100m visits to the outdoor places that are free of charge. Paying visitors, together with our 5.6 million members and more than 53,000 volunteers, support our work to care for nature, beauty, history. For everyone, for ever. 

For more information and ideas for great seasonal days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sony Music

Sony Music, has been delivering illuminated Christmas trails for over eight years. Each trail is carefully designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location. There are currently 26 trails across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia within the My Christmas Trails and Lightscape portfolios.

The chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues include: Blenheim Palace; The National Trust; Forestry England; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh; Botanic Gardens, Chicago, USA and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

mychristmastrails.co.uk | FB @mychristmastrails | Twitter @ mychristmastrails

About Culture Creative
Culture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the North East of England. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with Sony Music to create illuminated trails in various venues across the UK and overseas.

www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative | Instagram @culturecreativeltd