As the carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing plays in the background, we're stopped in our tracks by the sight of a towering Christmas tree, its branches laden with giant baubles and shimmering lights, while above our heads there's a chorus of angels trailing golden ribbons.
This is the centrepiece of Saints & Angels, a new festive attraction at Bamburgh Castle which has transformed its state rooms into a full-on festive wonderland.
The Northumberland castle is worth a visit for its views alone, with visitors greeted upon arrival by that open vista over an expanse of beach - and by welcoming staff.
Read more: Bamburgh is voted one of Britain's top spots for a staycation
They direct our way inside and through the first of a labyrinth of rooms that make up the Saints & Angels trail which winds its way up stone steps and around corners to reveal a succession of elaborately decorated trees, floral displays, festive garlands and plenty half-hidden surprises.
This is a first for Bamburgh Castle whose owner Francis Watson-Armstrong and wife Claire took inspiration from a 2019 visit to Castle Howard in North Yorkshire which had been given a seasonal makeover by theatre designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber.
Their idea to have her CLW Event Design company create Saints & Angels, to be the biggest indoor festive attraction in the North East, took shape a year ago, with Charlotte and fellow designer Adrian Lille in turn taking inspiration from the castle's 3,000-year-old history and links to Holy Island.
But then came the pandemic and the ambitious project was brought to an abrupt halt.
Now, a year on, the stunning attraction is unveiled and Francis says: "Here we are, a year late, but it's stunning - I'm absolutely over the moon."
The castle's Great Hall is the "piece de resistance", he says, with its soaring angels and extravagant displays echoing the colours of the room's high Oriel window.
We follow the flow through the room before climbing up steps, and passing suits of armour, artworks and tapestries, to upper rooms which have a different look and 'personality', explains creative director Adrian who - while Charlotte is now busy on this year's Castle Howard project - was there during our preview visit to oversee the final arrangements ahead of its opening.
Adrian has a personal favourite among the rooms and it's the Faire Chamber which they've suffused in whites and pinks, with touches of Edwardian and Marie Antoinette pearl-encrusted opulence.
"It's quite roccoco and quite over the top!" he says. "It has a very different feel to the rest of the house."
There's a Christmas tree dress, a beautiful froth of green faux foliage which echoes an elaborate 18th Century gown - owned by a family ancestor - which is on show in a nearby display case.
Lighting is key throughout, with the cool winter look of the Faire Chamber giving way to the warm glow of an adjacent room which they designed as though its inhabitants have just briefly stepped out during Christmas Eve drinks or Christmas Day lunch, says Adrian.
Its table is beautifully laid, including with fine crockery bearing the family crest - which had Claire and Francis raiding the cupboards to find - and there are cocktail glasses abandoned mid-game on the room's billiard table.
The attention to detail is remarkable and visitors will need to be sharp-eyed to spot all the references to this being the former home of the saint kings of Northumbria and all the carefully placed cherubs peeking out among collections of Christmas candles.
It's a thoroughly festive experience, full of colour and atmosphere and fun and it embodies Christmas spirit and goodwill.
Adrian says: "I hope people will take a little inspiration home for their own Christmas."
Stepping out from the castle, there is more to see just a short walk away.
Saints & Angels, which is is open now until January 3, is part of The Christmas Kingdom programme at the castle which includes an on-site Father Christmas - although meetings with him are now booked up - as well as reindeer, which families can feed with moss, and a craftsman showing how to make coins, with a special Christmas design.
Claire is looking forward to seeing people enjoy what they've created.
"We haven't been able to celebrate Christmas for two years," she points out, so having a chance at last for everyone to come together to celebrate is she says "something amazing".
Entry to Saints & Angels is included in the admission price to the castle. Tickets can be pre-booked online here or bought on the door.
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