From fairytale trails that lead to musical happenings on the lawn, to evening theatre and cinema against the backdrop of the gardens, Dunham Massey's summer programme is full and inviting. Bring your friends and family together in nature to make lasting memories in the great outdoors.
Nestled between the vibrant city of Manchester and the beginnings of rural Cheshire, Dunham Massey offers a 300-acre deer park, extensive gardens, a historic Georgian house, and a welcoming cafe and shop, the perfect day out for those looking for local natural and historic beauty.
Dunham Massey is cared for by Europe's largest conservation charity - the National Trust. All funds raised through visits to programmed events help ensure the National Trust can conserve and care for Dunham Massey for everyone, forever.
For tickets and additional details: nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
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FAMILY TRAIL
Mog's Remarkable Adventures at Dunham Massey
Dunham Massey Park and Gardens, 28 May - 20 Jul, 10am - 4pm
Included with admission to the park and gardens, free to National Trust members.
Licensed by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
Spring into a nature trail adventure with Judith Kerr's beloved Mog the Forgetful Cat. Step into the world of Mog and follow the trail around Dunham Massey's Park and Gardens. Leap across the lawn, use your paws to perfect the balance beam, and keep your beady cat's eyes on the lookout for a giant cat flap. Mog's Remarkable Adventures is the perfect family-friendly event for everyone looking for outdoor activities this summer.
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TOUR
Tours at Dunham Massey
If you're keen to dig deeper into Dunham Massey's past and present, learn more about the families who lived here, or want to know how we care for Dunham today, our daily tours are a great place to begin.
All three tours are presented by our hugely knowledgeable group of dedicated volunteers and are dependent on availability, please call 0161 941 1025 for on-the-day timings and further information.
Tours are included with admission to the park and gardens and are free to National Trust members.
Park Tour: Did you know that Dunham's park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Dunham's herd of fallow deer have grazed the land for nearly 1000 years? The park tour offers you the opportunity to get to know more about the key facts and histories connected to the parkland, its buildings and seasonal ecology.
Garden Tour: Dunham Massey's Gardens are abloom in all seasons. From its woodland areas with winding paths and meadows to the formal parterre and beds that accentuate the walls of the 300-year-old Georgian House - there are always floral displays to enjoy. Garden tours showcase seasonal highlights and give insight into the practicalities of caring for this special place.
Mill Tour (launching mid-June): Dunham Massey's Mill has a long and varied history. Learn about the building's historical use during its time as a corn and sawmill, and discover how we care for this working mill building today. A tour for the senses, see the wheel turning and hear the machinery whir.
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FAMILY TRAIL AND OUTDOOR EVENTS
A Fairy-tale Summer at Dunham Massey
Dunham Massey Park and Gardens, 23 Jul - 7 Sep, 10am - 4pm
Included with admission to the park and gardens, free to National Trust members.
Calling all children, adults, fairies, trolls and royalty... there is magic afoot - a fairy-tale summer inspired by the whimsy and sentiment that only childhood fairy tales can bring, is coming to Dunham Massey!
At the heart of Dunham's fairy tales programme lies a self-led family trail of discovery and imagination. Whether you're a climber like Jack and the beanstalk, or a carer like Red Riding Hood, join some of the characters from best-loved fairy tales in considering the morals and meanings connected to nature and the great outdoors.
From stringed-musical happenings on the lawn, to cosy literature-laden children's stories in the Orangery, daily activities and events add that little bit of fairy dust to the proceedings. Don't miss a special one-off performance of Cinderella in the Dunham Massey Gardens on Saturday 13th August (see full listing below.)
For the latest announcements related to A Fairy-tale Summer, follow Dunham Massey on Facebook facebook.com/DunhamMasseyNT and Instagram instagram.com/ntDunhamMassey
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OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
21st Century ABBA
Dunham Massey Gardens, Sat 9th July, 7pm. Gardens open from 6pm.
TICKETS: eventbrite.co.uk/e/21st-century-abba-tickets-293820112867
In partnership with Chapterhouse Theatre Company.
An evening of ABBA in the beautiful surroundings of the Dunham Massey Gardens! Enjoy hit after hit of the ABBA songs you know and love from Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Super Trouper to many, many more. 21st Century ABBA faithfully recreates all the greatest hits of one of the world's most famous group combining stunning vocals, live musicians, and glittering costumes.
Floor blankets and low-backed seating is welcome and recommended. Food and drinks will be available to purchase onsite.
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OUTDOOR THEATRE
Cinderella
Dunham Massey Gardens, Sat 13 Aug, 6:30 - 8:30pm. Gardens open from 5:30pm.
TICKETS: eventbrite.co.uk/e/cinderella-tickets-298164376677
In partnership with Chapterhouse Theatre Company.
In an enchanted kingdom and a faraway land, magical creatures and fairy godmothers come together to tell the best-loved of all fairy tales. Full of song, mirth, and summer joy; the traditional Cinderella story takes on new life under the atmospheric, August evening sky. Follow Cinderella on the journey of a lifetime to a magical ball where nearly anything is possible, especially before midnight. Children are invited to dress as their favourite fairy tale characters and join in with the midsummer ball dance.
Picnics welcome from 5:30pm. Picnic blankets or low-backed seating welcome and recommended. Food and drink will be available to purchase onsite.
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OUTDOOR CINEMA
West Side Story (12A)
Dunham Massey Gardens, Fri 19th Aug, 9pm. Gardens open from 7:30pm till 11:30pm.
TICKETS: adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/dunham-massey
In partnership with Adventure Cinema.
Suitable for ages 12+.
Enjoy West Side Story this summer against the backdrop of Dunham Massey Gardens. Set in 1950's New York, West Side Story is a tale of forbidden love and rival gangs. A battle for control of the city streets becomes complicated when the Jets and the Sharks are connected through an unexpected spark of romance. An adaptation of the hugely popular musical, this 2021 cinematic production was years in the making.
Floor blankets and low-backed seating is welcome and recommended. Food and drink will be available to purchase onsite.
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OUTDOOR CINEMA
Mamma Mia! (PG)
Dunham Massey Gardens, Sat 20th Aug, 9pm. Gardens open from 7:30pm till 10:45pm.
TICKETS: adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/dunham-massey
In partnership with Adventure Cinema.
Based on the songs of pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson, Mamma Mia! is musical, romantic, comedy film that features a cast of many famous faces. The story follows the antics of a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her upcoming wedding, with the possibility that any of them could be her father! A joyful film that encompasses the vibrancy and upbeat vibes of ABBA's extensive catalogue.
Floor blankets and low-backed seating is welcome and recommended. Food and drink will be available to purchase onsite.
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OUTDOOR CINEMA
Rocketman (15)
Dunham Massey Garden, Sat 21 Aug, 9pm. Gardens open from 7:30pm till 11pm.
TICKETS: adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/dunham-massey
In partnership with Adventure Cinema
Suitable for ages 15+.
A biographical cinematic drama based on the life and music of Elton John, Rocketman is jam-packed with hits from across his six-decade career. From John's early days studying at the Royal Academy of Music, through his musical partnerships and most celebrated moments, expect to accompany the world-renowned singer through the highs and lows of his life so far in this award-winning film.
Floor blankets and low-backed seating is welcome and recommended. Food and drink will be available to purchase onsite.
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LATER THIS YEAR: Autumn 2022 at Dunham Massey
Dates, times and further details to be released in summer.
New Wave project (Event name TBC), part of Heritage Open Days, 10th and 11th Sep.
As part of Heritage Open Days, Dunham Massey will hold a new and bold event, designed and delivered by young people, for young people. We're on the search for young, creative minds that are interested in event planning, aged between 18 and 25, and are ready and willing to take on a new challenge. For applications and further information view the opportunity on the National Trust's Volunteering website.
Rut Walks, Sep/Oct 2022
This autumn, Dunham Massey' popular early morning rut walks are back.
Mog's Remarkable Adventures return to Dunham Massey! Autumn 2022 Judith Kerr's Mog the Forgetful Cat invites families, friends and children of all ages to follow an autumnal trail that combines fascinating facts about animal habitats with the opportunity to enjoy a family-friendly event during the colourful autumnal season.