National Trust park Dunham Massey is receiving two all-new immersive installations in May that are set tocreate some magical memories.
These art pieces are coming to the famed National Trust site this spring, with the aim of encouraging visitors to reflect on all things nature.
Both of the new installations will cover two very different aspects of the park while utilising soundscapes that help create a moment of calm for guests.
‘ORIGIN’ is one of the immersive installations coming to Dunham Massey, and it’s branded as a deep listening experience combining both art and wellbeing to help explore humans’ connection to nature.
An insight into the immersive installation ORIGIN.Just a quick glance at the new immersive installation inside Dunham Massey. (Credit: Publicity Pictures)
Each guest will join a small, timed group of people to walk around the exhibition, where they will hear lots of different harmonies and soothing sounds – you’re even encouraged to sit or lie on the ground.
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Amongst this relaxing audio experience, there will be dialogue from Young Identity, a Manchester-based literature and performing arts charity, who have created spoken poetry for the soundscape.
This bespoke creation is the genius of internationally-acclaimed artists Colin Nightingale and Stephen Dobbie, who have teamed up with a wonderful creative team to bring this experience to life.
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‘A Field Hospital for Eco-Anxiety’ is the title of Dunham Massey’s second brand-new immersive installation, and frequent visitors to the park will recognise its location as it takes place in The Orangery.
This building will be filled with some lush plants, and just like its name – the ‘Field Hospital’ – it’s set to be a place of sanctuary and comfort for any guests who decide to take part.
Visitors enjoying the gardens at Dunham Massey, CheshireVisitors walking their dogs in the park at Dunham Massey, CheshireIt really is a National Trust gem. (Credit: Supplied)
There will be an activity sheet on hand for visitors as you walk around, so you can write down some positive steps people can take for the environment and reflect on our natural world.
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The latter immersive installation is the brainchild of The Edible Bus Stopand ‘Not here to be liked’, two companies that design and create culturally relevant experiences, typically environment-oriented.
These two brand new immersive installations at Dunham Massey are multi-sensory and are a great chance for little ones and grown-ups alike to take a moment of solace to consider environmental impacts.
Liam Geary Baulch from Not here to be liked explained: “Right now a majority of people are worried about the climate crisis, with so many young people impacted. The Field Hospital is a place for them to feel cared for, take a breath, and build resilience.”
The two brand new exhibitions, ORIGIN and A Field Hospital For Eco-Anxiety, are officially launching to the public on 3 May at Dunham Massey.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, you can find out more information HERE. It’s also worth noting that the experience is not suitable for under 12s; under 18s must also be accompanied by an adult.
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ORIGIN is included in the general admission Park and Garden ticket, which is available from £10 for an adult and just a fiver for children. This ticket also includes access to the garden, deer park, parking, shop, cafe, restaurant and all other facilities – though entry to the site doesn’t guarantee ORIGIN admission
Lastly, as is customary, the experience is FREE for National Trust members, so if you’re looking for activities this spring, a trip out to Cheshire might be on the cards.
Manchester’s 2025 Christmas Parade in pictures as tens of thousands turn out for festive event
Emily Sergeant
Tens of thousands of residents flocked to the city centre this past weekend for Manchester’s annual Christmas Parade.
Over the past few years since it first took place in 2022, Manchester Christmas Parade has become a festive favourite with both locals and visitors alike, and with more than 400 participants and performers gracing the city’s main shopping streets this year, it’s really not hard to see why it’s a much-loved fixture in the city’s countdown to Christmas.
Seen by many as the heartwarming event of the festive season, Manchester Christmas Parade was even ‘bigger and better’ than last year’s fantastic crowdpleaser.
Even a drop of the classic Manchester rain didn’t stop play on the day, as the fabulous festive Parade made its way through the packed city streets to the smiles and cheers of all those watching.
Despite the Manchester weather, tens of thousands of you turned out to make Sunday’s Christmas Parade truly magical. 🎅 👼 🥁
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the heart-warming event of the season.
“I remember thinking at the end of our fabulous Manchester Christmas Parade last year that we would never be able to top it,” commented Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson. “But this year’s parade has been off-the-scale brilliant – it was so much fun and you could see how much all the children loved it.
“The city centre was heaving, it felt like millions of Mancs had turned out for the parade, and what a performance we put on for them.”
The streets were filled with music and laughter this year, as well as the return of Manchester’s very-own Elf Express, complete with VIP passenger Santa hitching a ride on his way to the North Pole, together with his trusty team of elves.
Tens of thousands of people turned out for Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 this past weekend / Credit: Manchester City Council
Not only that, but Nutcracker-inspired toy soldiers also sweept their way through the Parade on segways, alongside a roaming Christmas tree, a pair of gentle giant-sized reindeer, a stunning arctic fox, and Jack Frost himself.
Brand-new for this year will be the fantastic Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle, which stood over three-meters tall and truly was the stuff of fairytales.
“Manchester once again helped make the magic and the memories for a whole generation of families from across the city and beyond,” Cllr Karney concluded.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
What's On
Indiana Jones, live in concert, is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
An all-time Hollywood favourite is being brought to Manchester audiences like never before, as a special showing of the first Indiana Jones film is coming to the city centrein concert.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ action-adventure series is one we all know and love – and if you haven’t seen it before, what are you playing at?
Having said that, the original beloved blockbuster still stands up as the most fondly remembered of the series to this day; put simply, the ‘best’ film in the ‘Indy’ franchise is Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Whether you agree with us or not, you can’t deny that the idea of hearing a live concert version of that iconic Indiana Jones score being played in the flesh by a proper orchestra sounds mega. Case in point:
The legendary John Williams score has been played in some of the most prestigious rooms in the world.
Now, how about hearing those incredible trumpets and French horns over the audio of the film itself, soundtracking each scene as it plays on the big screen in front of you?
Yes, we are nerding out, and so should you be.
After a globe-trotting trek that Indy himself would be proud of, the Disney Concerts production is now gearing up for its UK tour, with just a handful of lucky cities selected for the privilege.
You can see the full list of tour dates down below (we’ve highlighted other Northern shows for you, too):
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: Live In Concert – UK tour dates | 2026
Sunday 31 May – Manchester Bridgewater Hall Monday 1 June – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Tuesday 2 June – Edinburgh Usher Hall Wednesday 3 June – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Thursday 4 June – Birmingham Symphony Hall Friday 5 June – Sheffield City Hall Sunday 7 June – London Eventim Apollo
As you can see, not only will the run of live shows be kicking off on home turf, but they have selected the one and only Bridgewater Hall for the movie concert experience – a more than fitting venue.
Released back in 1981, it’s unbelievable how timeless and instantly recognisable the iconic Indy theme and film score still is to this day.
Disney’s early access window and the presale via the venue both open from 10am this Thursday, 11 December, with general admission going live at the same time the following Friday (12 Dec).
You can get ready to grab your tickets to the Manchester screening and live orchestral performance next May right HERE.
Be it movies, TV or even games, we’re loving how many of these kinds of shows are coming to our city now, from all-time classics like Indiana Jones to cult favourite bits of British kids’ telly…
Thomas Melia -
17th April 2025 
