Longleat’s Festival of Light Reaches Key Anniversary with Lantern Exhibition

A stately home will feature over 1,000 lanterns, guiding visitors on a temporal journey. The Festival of Light at Longleat is celebrating its tenth anniversary, showcasing these lanterns, which incorporate 45,000 lightbulbs. Commencing Saturday, the exhibition will transport attendees from the age of dinosaurs up to the contemporary period. According to Scott Ashman, Longleat’s head of operations, the Festival of Light aims to “bring the estate’s rich history to life.” Furthermore, the lanterns are constructed from 150 tonnes of metal and 164,000ft (50,000m) of light strips. Attendees will also encounter a representation of Queen Elizabeth I, who visited Longleat 450 years prior, alongside a musical Christmas tree. This occasion additionally commemorates the 75th anniversary since the estate first welcomed the public. On Friday, Lord and Lady Bath, Ceawlin and Emma Thynn, guided thousands of individuals through the Wiltshire estate during an exclusive preview of the event. Lord Bath stated: “When we first held The Festival of Light in 2014, nothing like it had been attempted on this scale before in the UK or indeed Europe.” Mr Ashman commented: “The Festival of Light this year combines stunning artistry with a compelling narrative, using lights, sound, and immersive displays to bring the estate’s rich history to life.” For further updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.