Lancaster light artists and schoolchildren sparkle at Winter Wonderland
Artists behind Light Up Lancaster and work by pupils from Torrisholme Primary School feature at this year’s Winter Wonderland at Sizergh.
The event returns to Sizergh, near Kendal, for its third year with new interactive installations, original soundscapes and a Georgian Christmas experience.
Led by Ulverston-based Dan Fox, director of Sound Intervention, working with his sister Hannah Fox, the 10-strong creative team takes its inspiration from the estate’s wildlife, history and landscape.
Artist Martin Brockman began working on the project in June spending two days with Year 5 pupils at Torrisholme Primary School.
They made two large hares using hazel cut from the estate.
Also included in the 16 installations, and new for this year, are six-metre high illuminated toadstools and a starling murmuration, cast onto courtyard walls and inspired by the spectacle at RSPB Leighton Moss.
Other installations combine projections, lighting, sculpture and bespoke sounds to bring the natural world to life including familiar plants.
Celebrating Sizergh’s Victorian stumpery, visitors can explore an avenue of giant LED ferns and unfurl illuminated inflatable ferns. The plant world is also represented with giant snowdrops and thistles.
The installations take months to design and make and weeks to assemble on site as Dan’s team works alongside National Trust rangers and Sean Fletcher, the trust’s visitor operations and experience manager.
Sean said: “It’s been important to make this a community event, so we’re pleased to include Torrisholme pupils work. The aim is to create a shared seasonal event in a place that feels welcoming to everyone. The nature-inspired installations offer a different approach to the traditional festive attraction.
“There is plenty to keep curious and active youngsters happy, from playing music on an air harp and dancing amongst the stars to self-serve crafts in the Great Barn. People can also choose the order in which they see everything, and go at their own pace.”
Inside the house, nine decorated rooms explore a Georgian winter celebration.
New for 2026 is the drawing room, reopened following a three-year restoration. Original soundscapes recreate the atmosphere of an 18th-century gathering, while an installation inspired by rare Vauxhall Gardens paintings invites visitors into the scene.
Dan’s sound design uses his own recordings, including for the house, a Lancaster string quartet warming up. Dan says each soundtrack is made specifically for Sizergh, connecting the installations to their setting and to each other.
“This year’s is definitely the best ever,” Dan said. “We understand the site more and how people respond to what they see, and there are new pieces by fantastic, nationally recognised artists.”
Food and drink are part of the visit, too. Festive stalls serve hot spiced drinks, seasonal bakes, and treats, while Sizergh’s café offers a winter menu.
Winter at Sizergh runs daily from noon to 8pm, November 20 to December 24. Booking is recommended at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/sizergh/winter-at-sizergh
Prices: National Trust members from £6.50; non-member adults £13; non-member children £9.75; under-fives free. Family ticket for two adults and two children (non-members) £42.25.
The trail is accessible to wheelchairs, pushchairs and all-terrain mobility scooters. Scooters can be borrowed on site or pre-booked through Outdoor Mobility for a small donation.