T3, a creative agency specialising in the creation, design and production of customer experiences, has once again designed, produced and is operating the Christmas Light Trail at Warwick Castle in the UK. This is the fourth year that the firm has worked on the seasonal event at the popular attraction, run by Merlin Entertainments. There are several new developments this year, including three new immersive tunnels and special sensory-friendly nights.
The Christmas Light Trail features 500,000 lights and a 25-metre-tall Christmas tree. It follows a 1.6-mile-long route across the 64 acres of grounds and gardens.
Sensory-friendly evenings
For the new sensory-friendly nights, which will run on 4 December and 4 January, the T3 team worked alongside Warwick Castle’s team of parents of autistic children and the attraction’s accessibility officer to design a SEND-friendly experience.
David Harding, T3 director, was inspired to include sensory-friendly events after visiting a supermarket during its dedicated weekly quiet hours and learning about the initiative. Following this, T3 conducted some research and put the idea forward to Warwick Castle, which then set up the focus group.
The feedback from the group, which directly influenced the design process, was that the trail should be quiet, with no music or flashing lights, and that guests should have access to a map in advance to help with planning and expectations. On these two nights, the light trail will run with no music, and will also use static lights in place of strobing or flashing lights, in order to create a calmer atmosphere. There will also be no live performers.
The group also advised that there should be as few people as possible, which is what influenced the events being held early in December and January, rather than at peak times. This makes the event more exclusive, allowing visitors to take as much time as they like. There is a staff training element too, as the focus group stated that staff should be available, but not obtrusive, and should understand signalling when not to approach.
Another request was for alternative shorter routes, giving visitors more choice. Therefore, during the sensory-friendly nights, guests can enjoy three different trial routes, a full light trail at 1800 metres, a medium trail at 1350 metres and a short trail, measuring 850 metres.
Festive entertainment for the fourth year running
The Christmas Light Trail at Warwick Castle runs from 25 November 2023 to 7 January 2024. The project took a year to plan and six weeks to install. This year, T3 made every effort to be as low-voltage and environmentally friendly as possible. The trail uses solar-powered lights and has continuous plans to increase the sustainability of the event in the following years.
A team of sound specialists and composers worked on the trail’s unique soundtrack, which is a mixture of original and well-known Christmas tunes.
The experience also features roaming live performers, and local community groups will be singing in different areas, creating an extra festive vibe. Elsewhere, guests can also enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine at the Medieval Christmas Camp.
T3, produces, manages, and owns the Light Trail, which is part of the Christmas at the Castle season, alongside Ice Skating, a Meet Father Christmas experience, and Stories with Santa.
