Red Funnel presents Luminarium

3rd - 6th August

We’re delighted to be the venue for a very exciting new visitor experience  between 3rd and 6th August, which are the last four days of the Cowes Week annual sailing Regatta…a fantastic end to our busy week of social activities.

Our event partners Red Funnel are proud to present an inspiring and unique first for the Isle of Wight – The “Dodecalis” Luminarium, by the Architects of Air here in Northwood Park, just below the main Lawn Bar terraces.

Dodecalis is one of the Architects of Air’s most exciting touring structures yet, featuring a dazzling array of luminous lines illuminating the three Dodecadomes, an awe inspiring “Tree” design, and a magnificent main dome with it’s asymmetry serving to disorientate the visitor, in a way that makes exploration more exciting – maximising intrigue and wonder. Admission to the Luminarium is only £6.99 per person (under 2’s free) with experiences lasting around 20 minutes of pure wonder.

Buy your experience tickets now at the Red Funnel website to guarantee an admission slot! Click Here 

Please note this is not a Northwood House Charitable Trust event, so please direct all enquiries to Red Funnel Ferries.

Since 1992 more than 3 million visitors, in over 43 countries, across 5 continents have been welcomed into one of the Architects of Air’s monumental Luminaria, immersed in radiant colour, that comes simply from daylight shining through the luminarium’s fabric.

Wellbeing and calmness are at the centre of this incredibly beautiful, immersive art installation. Enter the Luminarium and be moved, as you step into an amazing, wonderful, sensory world of light, colour and sound.

Walk through, sit, or maybe even lie down, and drink in the dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes, where natural forms, Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals meld into an inspiring mix of design and engineering.

This walk through installation awakens all the senses, creating emotions of wonder and enchantment for all ages.

So take your time, and lose yourself in sensory bliss!

What is a Luminarium?

A Luminarium is a sculpture you enter for an encounter with light.

This immersive walk through art experience has been likened to a labyrinth, walking through a stained glass window and even wandering through a gigantic, strange, breathing organic creature.  Walking through will awaken all of the senses, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment for all ages.

Many people find the Luminarium calming – a place for rest or meditation. Others are simply hypnotised by this amazing world of light and subtle and saturated hues.There are seven Luminaria touring the world.

Come inside to wander through a 1000m2 inflatable art work, with tunnels and cavernous domes, experiencing a range of colour, light and sound. The radiance of the daylight transmitted by the coloured parts of the Luminarium is surprising in its luminosity and makes a direct impact on the senses. Here the Luminarium’s pneumatic environment, freed from the constraints of traditional architecture, amplifies the radiance of its translucent elements.

Visitors are excited to discover how the colours blend or resonate; how they transform faces and clothing. The subtle soundscape created specifically for the Luminarium accompanies the visitors in the experience.

Who made it?
They are designed by Architects of Air founder Alan Parkinson. www.architects-of-air.com

The Luminaria are inspired by natural forms, geometric solids, Islamic and Gothic architecture. Each new creation is a maze of winding paths and inspiring domes where the visitors may lose themselves in sensory bliss.Since 1992 over 3 million visitors in more than 40 countries across 5 continents have immersed themselves in the spectacular, luminous world of Architects of Air.

Opening Times:

General admission runs from 11am to 5pm (Thurs 3rd-Sun 6th Aug) and pre booked tickets are on sale now!

All sessions prior to 4.30pm can be pre booked here, or you can choose to purchase tickets “on the door” for maximum flexibility, but we cannot guarantee a time of entry and this may be subject to a longer queue.

The 4.30pm and 5pm daily sessions are solely deemed as “on the door / walk up” ticket sales only. No pre booked tickets will be available for these slots.

How much is it?
Tickets are £6.99 per person with children under 2 free.
You can turn up on the day and queue to get in, or book a priority access ticket for a chosen time slot

Priority access tickets are taken for half hour slot times, please turn up in good time for your slot, there will be a separate queue for you to enter

How long does it last?
When we experience large queues, visitors may be asked to limit their visit to 20 minutes. However visitors can remain as long as they want, in times of lesser demand. Our stewards will control this and will inform you accordingly upon entry.

Who can visit?
Everyone! The Luminaria are fully accessible, giving access to a very broad audience, embracing all ages, abilities, cultures and communities. It is a great option as part of a family day out, introducing younger children to artistic and cultural experiences in a public space.Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.

The structure is fully accessible for wheelchair users, who are welcome to visit at all times and as an example, Luminariums can be a particularly positive experience for those with autism and dementia.

Are guide dogs allowed Inside?
Unfortunately the Luminarium is not an environment that a dog feels comfortable in, even a guide dog, and a dog’s claws are not conducive to an inflatable structure of course.   So we have as a rule, that guide dogs should remain outside and alternative ways to accompany the person inside should be found.

Are pushchairs/prams allowed Inside?
No, pushchairs/prams are to be left outside of the Luminarium

What should I expect from my visit?
On arrival at the site you will join one of two queues – advance tickets or walk-in. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee you can enter at your preferred time.

The time slot on advance tickets will indicate the window in which you have priority access to the structure. If you plan to purchase walk-up tickets on the day, please note that only card payment is accepted.

On entry, you will be required to leave your shoes and any large bags in the reception area – smaller bags can be taken inside the structure. All belongings left at reception are done so at the owners’ risk.

Once inside you navigate the winding tunnels of the structure.

Each visitor has their own way of exploring the structure – some like to see every twist and turn, whilst others prefer to find a spot to rest and contemplate. We encourage you to explore in your own way.

Can I pay by cash on the day?
Whilst walk up tickets are available on the day, they are subject to longer queue times and only card payments will be accepted.

What happens if we are late for our pre-booked slot?
You should seek to arrive on time for your pre-booked time slot. Should you be late, you may lose your priority access and have a longer wait. Whilst we will endeavor to get you in, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to, if we are running at capacity.

Is the attraction weather dependent?
Being an inflatable structure, operation is subject to wind speeds. Should we have to cancel any sessions due to excessive wind speeds (or indeed excessive temperatures) then tickets will be refunded and you will be welcome to rebook into any available future time slots if available, or join the walk up queues on your preferred alternative day. If the last day of the event has to be cancelled due to the weather then all affected tickets will be refunded.

Do you have car parking?
Several public car parks are within walking distance of Northwood House plus Northwood House will have their own Cowes Week temporary event parking in operation at £8 per car for the whole day or £5 after 2pm

Any rules?
Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.
There is a strict ratio of one adult to 4 under 16 year olds. This is to maintain the calm atmosphere.

Running is not permitted inside the Luminarium to maintain the calm atmosphere.

What if I have an enquiry?
All enquiries should be directed to keith@withadifference.co.uk

Since 1992 more than 3 million visitors, in over 43 countries, across 5 continents have been welcomed into one of the Architects of Air’s monumental luminaria, immersed in radiant colour, that comes simply from daylight shining through the luminarium’s fabric.

Wellbeing and calmness are at the centre of this incredibly beautiful, immersive art installation.

Enter the luminarium and be moved, as you step into an amazing, wonderful, sensory world of light, colour and sound.

Walk through, sit, or maybe even lie down, and drink in the dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes, where natural forms, Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals meld into an inspiring mix of design and engineering.

This walk through installation awakens all the senses, creating emotions of wonder and enchantment for all ages.

So take your time, and lose yourself in sensory bliss.

Watch the video below to see the Dodecali’s Luminarium Audience Reaction at The National Festival of Making…

Buy your experience tickets now at the Red Funnel website to guarantee an admission slot! Click Here