ONE of the main figures behind a stunning Christmas lights trail at a National Trust site has praised the 'beautiful' displays - as he revealed they took 10 months to plan and prepare.
A new Christmas light trail has arrived at Kingston Lacy and aims to dazzle visitors with its awe-inspiring displays, attractions and more.
Trees have interwoven with neon and decorated with giant baubles, guests can wander through heart-shaped arches, then under colourful strings in an awe-inspiring display.
Installations include a 30-metre Christmas Cathedral, around 4,000 metres of string used to create Neon Strings, 600 LED white roses and 70 fire cans in the fire garden, stretched between towering canopies and beside a carpet of glowing white roses.
Matthew Findlay, head of UK lights trails Sony Music, revealed how he and his colleagues had ‘Christmas music on throughout the year’ as plans for the new trail first started in February.
He said: “We sat down 10 months ago with Kingston Lacy and with our partners at Culture Creative who do the operational delivery.
“For the last 10 months, we have been meeting every four weeks and pulling together this lovely experience for the public to enjoy.”
Organisers say Christmas at Kingston Lacy 'provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience' and the trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible to all to enjoy.
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In recent weeks, crews have been carefully installing the displays and specialist lighting in a bid to show the popular National Trust site in a new light.
Mr Findlay said: “It has been a very interesting build process.
“Over the last three weeks, there have been over 200-man hours and 15 crew members on site every day to put up all the beautiful lights we are seeing tonight.
“We’re really pleased to see audiences come through and experience it for the first time. It’s been really excited and so far it’s been positive.”
The grounds of the elegant country mansion have been transformed into a winter wonderland with dozens of attractions across the 1.5km route.
Mr Findlay said there are ‘plenty of things to see’ and noted he loved the walk-through Christmas Cathedral based towards the end of the route.
He said: “The highlights for me are the Christmas Cathedral which is the ultimate selfie spot, we find.
“There’s a really lovely trail of neon strings and an illuminated tree avenue longer than I have seen for a long time.
“There’s certainly a lot to see and I believe there’s a chance for the little ones to see Father Christmas.
“We are really proud of what we’ve done here and I think it’s bigger than it has ever been at Kingston Lacy. I would advise people to book ahead and come on down.”
The trail is open between Friday, December 3 and Sunday, January 2, 2022, with opening times from 4.30pm, with the last entry at 8pm, the route closes at 10pm.
Ticket prices for adults are £18, child is £14, while a family ticket of two adults and two children is £60. Free entry for carers and children aged two and under.
Parking is £8 per car but it is free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
Tickets can be booked through - https://christmasatkingstonlacy.seetickets.com/raymondgubbay/christmas-at-kingston-lacy
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