ORIGIN at Dunham Massey

ORIGIN invites you to explore the powerful themes of life's cycle and our deep connection to nature. This deep listening experience will connect you to the mansion and gardens, blending sonic landscapes with visual artistry in an environment designed to soothe and rejuvenate.

Relax, lie back, and surrender to the gentle harmonies of sound and light as you are enveloped in this peaceful exploration of nature, life, and the senses and invites participants to meditate and be mindful, or reflect on our own place in the natural world.

Information about the Experience

3 May - 2 November | 11am - 4pm

ORIGIN is a durational sound installation on a continuous loop which lasts 20 minutes. Visitors are invited to lie back on the floor, and accessible seating is provided.

There are a limited number of tickets available each day. Tokens for entry are available on a first come first served basis at time slots every half an hour from 11am until 3.30pm. These can be collected on the day from the Visitor Centre from 9am. It’s possible that tickets for the day may be booked quickly to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Entry into the installation is through the front door to the house. Entry will be in small groups to minimise disturbing those audience already inside and so please note you may need to wait up to 15 mins before entering the experience.

Please avoid bringing large bulky items as they will not be permitted inside the house. There is no place to store these at Dunham Massey.

This experience is not suitable for under 12s and any under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult.

ORIGIN is included in the general admission Park and Garden ticket which is from £10 for an adult and £5 for a child. This ticket also includes access to the garden, deer park, car park, shop, cafe, restaurant, facilities and car parking. Entry to Dunham Massey and this experience is free for National Trust members. This experience is not suitable for under 12s and under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that entry to Dunham Massey does not guarantee entry to ORIGIN.

Inspired by the garden

Born out of a desire to create a calming space to allow audiences to slow down and disconnect from the everyday, ORIGIN explores themes around the cycle of life and our connection with nature.

Developed in conversation with the curatorial and garden teams at Dunham Massey, this version of ORIGIN draws inspiration from the gardens, in particular the Giant Himalayan Lily. This mysterious and spectacular lily takes 5 to 7 years to flower and blooms only once in its life. After flowering just once, the plant dies but in its final moments produces thousands of seeds that ensure its continuation.

200 Himalayan Lillies are planted in the courtyard reflection space. Whether we’ll see them bloom only time will tell.

Created with the community

Right/Left Project have worked with talented young people from Young Identity, a Manchester-based literature and performance arts charity who provide creative opportunities for marginalised youth to excel creatively locally, nationally and internationally. 10 young people experienced ORIGIN and crafted poetry that captured their emotions about the experience. These poems have been woven in between mesmeric audio and sounds from Dunham Massey to create an original soundtrack.