Last Updated on 15 November 2024 by Colette
This post features a gifted experience & affiliate links
Now that my children are a bit older and pretty much past visiting Father Christmas, I’m keen to make sure we still have festive traditions that we can do together as a family and a Christmas light trail is definitely one of those. Whilst there’s quite a few festive light trails in the Manchester area now, Christmas at Dunham Massey remains king in our eyes.
The Christmas Light Trail at Dunham Massey brings the magic of Christmas to life and has been absolutely our favourite festive adventure in recent years. I had worried that after the magic of a snowy evening on our first ever visit to Christmas at Dunham Massey a few years ago, that this year might not live up to expectations but I’m pleased to say that it absolutely did.
This is the 7th year of Christmas at Dunham Massey and as such this is a well-rehearsed slick operation! Getting on site is smooth and painless with plenty of stewards checking you have pre-booked parking and directing you to spaces (make sure you have your parking booking details to hand to help things move quickly).
Once you’ve parked, the start of the trail is clearly marked (though I do recommend a quick trip into the main reception building for a toilet stop first!). At the start of the trail is a large area packed with food stalls and fairground rides – you can access this before and after your visit so it’s great if you’ve arrived a bit early for your timed slot or if, like us, you want to grab something to eat once you’ve finished the trail.
Entrance to the Christmas at Dunham Massey light trail is in timed slots to stagger the number of people on the trail at any one time – you will choose a time when you book. Personally I like to book an early slot as there’s less people in front of you which makes taking photos at key points much easier!
The trail took a different route to when we had last visited a couple of years ago and I loved this – partly because I felt the layout worked better and partly because it meant it still felt new and fresh! From what I can work out, the trail is the same layout as last year so the team at Dunham Massey obviously felt that it worked well and I have to agree. Something that niggled me on our previous visit was that all the food stalls and fairground rides were at the start and you couldn’t get back to them whereas now you can access them before and after the trail meaning you can hang out for as long as you like once the trail is done – in this instance it meant we were able to catch up with out friends at Mini Travellers who had been doing the trail too!
For me, the thing that really makes Christmas at Dunham Massey is the way everything is set to music which adds to the drama and storytelling of the light installations. Rather than the large, brash lanterns of Land of Lights Festival or Lightopia, Christmas at Dunham Massey is twinkly and festive – with huge installations like the Cathedral (perfect for taking family photos if you happen to catch it at a clear moment – shout out to the security dude for gate-crashing my photo!), flaming lanterns, a whole river of lights across the floor and tunnels of lights. The level of detail is what make Christmas at Dunham Massey so special.
It has to be said, we struck lucky again with the weather this year – we had been forecast rain but instead we were treated to a relatively mild, clear and dry evening – which of course means we felt able to take our time watching the lights and enjoying our food and drinks afterwards. Had it been raining I’m sure our enthusiasm would have been dampened!
How long is the light trail at Dunham Massey?
The light trail at Dunham Massey is approximately one mile long – it took us about an hour to wander round stopping to toast marshmallows and grab a drink part way round.
Is Christmas at Dunham Massey pushchair friendly?
Yes the Christmas at Dunham Massey trail is pushchair and wheelchair friendly. The route is very flat and mostly paved. It’s a little slippy in places where the leaves have fallen or over wooden bridges.
Can I take my dog to Christmas at Dunham Massey?
Dogs are not allowed at Christmas at Dunham Massey – if you’re looking for a festive light trail that your dog can enjoy too, check out Christmas at Heaton Park or Land of Lights Festival, Warrington
Can you see Father Christmas at Dunham Massey this year?
Father Christmas puts in an appearance right at the end of the trail giving you the opportunity for a quick hello and a photograph or two.
You can find alternative places to see Father Christmas in Manchester this year here.
How much does the Christmas light trail at Dunham Massey cost?
Tickets for the Christmas Light Trail at Dunham Massey must be pre-booked and are charged at £24.50 for adult and £17 for children at peak times. Family tickets are also available. Parking for Christmas at Dunham Massey costs £8 per car or is free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
Can I buy food at Christmas at Dunham Massey?
There’s a whole section of food huts at the start of the trail which you can also access again at the end. We chose to grab some food once we’d enjoyed the trail and felt there was a good range of food options and nothing seemed to be ridiculously priced (though do bear in mind that we have been desensitised by festival food prices!). Essentially you’re looking at spending about £10 per head (though there were some good kids’ options at around a fiver.) I must admit I would have liked to have seen some more Christmassy food choices but we didn’t struggle to find things we all wanted to eat.
As well as the huts at the start of the trail, there are food and drink stalls part way round but these are more snack based – think hot chocolate, mulled wine and waffles.
Is there anything else I need to know before visiting Christmas at Dunham Massey this year?
The toilets are situated in the main reception building so you can go at the start or the end of the trail, there are no toilets on the way round.
Make sure you dress for the weather – this is an entirely outdoor event and your trail will go ahead even if it’s raining!
You’ll find fire pits for toasting marshmallows part way around the trail – the fancy marshmallows cost £2 a piece this year (and are delicious). We bought one each but then kept hold of our skewer to toast a couple of extra marshmallows from the bag I happened to have brought with me!
Have a read of these posts next:
Christmas at Dunham Massey 2024 – Review & Tips
Christmas at Dunham Massey 2021 – Review & Tips to see Dunham Massey in the snow
What to do in Manchester this Christmas
Free and cheap things to do in Manchester this Christmas
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