The Garden of Light launches at McArthurGlen

Immersive installation to celebrate Kent’s heritage

In tribute to Kent’s 400-year status as the Garden of England, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford is harnessing the wonders of nature on an unprecedented scale through an immersive installation The Garden of Light.

The Garden of Light installation, commissioned by McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford with Projection Artworks is free of charge to all guests. The design has been inspired by Kent’s rich heritage and complements Europe’s Largest living wall installation featured within the £90 million expansion.

The much-anticipated walkthrough installation has been designed to stimulate the senses and encourage guests to reflect on their connection with nature. Through the duration guests will be transported on a journey of discovery, tapping into the four seasons through light, sound and scent.

Upon entering the space visitors will begin their journey through a snow-covered scene that magically transforms to spring through touch, filling the senses with bursts of blossom scents and delicate sounds.  Guests will be invited to move through to the captivating summer garden, featuring a large, 10m-wide tree canopy that joins a cosmic digital kaleidoscope above. Exiting through the autumn tunnel, visitors will experience falling leaves silhouetted through a physical installation, completing the final seasonal change.

 Inspired by Kent’s picturesque landscape, The Garden of Light has been designed to allow guests to immerse themselves in a playful interactive visualisation of natural energy flows. The experiential space encourages visitors to discover and explore the engaging, joyful connection between the natural and digital world.

Peter Corr, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford, said: “In celebration of the £90 million expansion opening this autumn, we wanted to offer visitors a brand-new experience. With The Garden of Light guests can expect to journey into a virtual garden of discovery, exploring nature’s four seasons represented through the power of light. We are committed to elevating our guests shopping experience and we are thrilled to be partnering with Projection Artwork to deliver a unique multi-sensory installation to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford.”

Riaz Farooq, Creative Director, Projection Artworks, added: “Producing The Garden of Light has truly been a creative journey through a multitude of artistic and technological disciplines. Collectively we have explored the boundaries of motion design and real-time graphics, effectively creating a living game-like environment, full of discovery and play.”

Guests will be invited to experience The Garden of Light on a donations basis with proceeds going to East Kent Hospitals Charity to create a garden sanctuary at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford for patients to enjoy.

Danielle Neligan, Fundraising and Development Officer for East Kent Hospitals Charity, said: “We are delighted that the William Harvey Hospital will benefit from donations given by visitors to The Garden of Light. It is the ideal partnership, as our patients will be able to enjoy their own outdoor sanctuary thanks to the generosity of people across east Kent. Proceeds will go to our appeal to create an outside space for the intensive care unit at the hospital so some of our sickest patients can enjoy the beauty of nature, just like visitors to The Garden of Light will be able to.”

The Garden of Light will open on 7th November at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford. Tickets are free, booking is necessary via the website at AshfordDesignerOutlet.com