A dazzling array of Christmas light artworks on a seasonal trail is set to open to visitors tonight.
A sneak preview of the sparkling installations at the National Trust's Gibside estate, in Gateshead, reveals they are set to brighten up the dark winter nights ahead.
Lovers, friends, and families can hold hands beneath the Heart Arch Walk and discover 700 meters of fairy lights and a 36-meter-long Christmas Cathedral on the festive route.
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Choreographed to the sound of Christmas music, multiple artworks by UK and international artists can be admired including ten lit up Snowballs, ten illuminated tree arches aglow, three Neon Flowers, and a giant robin.
Matthew Findlay, head of UK trails for Sony Music, which is the behind the event with Culture Creative and the National Trust, said: "I’m really happy that we’ve worked with the Gibside team and we are focusing a little bit more on the natural infrastructure of the venue, best highlighting the trees they have along the route.
“To play on that organic and natural theme, we have some really lovely tree arches and alongside a brand-new installation which we are calling tree halos, it really enhances the woodland area at the back of the trail route."
Mr Findlay said: “We have also brought in a whole host of wicker work to be included as part of the route and we’re really happy that they can be locally built and produced.
“Elsewhere we will have a dynamic array of installations and I think a crowd favourite will certainly be our huge sea of lights, which we will be looking to place opposite the oratory chapel.
“We have actually been working with the National Trust now for six years, we first began with Christmas at Durham Massey (near Manchester) all that time ago but over the years and with growing teams on both sides, the appetite to expand was certainly present.
“Gibside gave us a call knowing of our partnership with other National Trust properties and really from that moment onwards, visions were aligned and here we are working on our second Christmas light trail together.”
Visitors are invited to make memories wandering between the artistically curated illuminations beneath the night sky.
People can pause at the mesmerising colours and glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Independent street food vendors are offering tasty treats and people can end the trail with a spiced winter warmer or a hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows.
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A spokesman for Gibside said: “This is a special way to celebrate the festive period with an unforgettable outdoor experience.
“The trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible for all to enjoy.”
The trail runs until New Year’s Day, but is closed on December 5,6,7,12,13 and 25. It is open from 4.15pm, last entry 8.15pm and closes at 10pm.
Prices: adult £19.50, child £14, family of two adults and two child £64.
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under. Parking: on-site £8 per car.
To book, click here
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