Walking to The Halo Sculpture, Lancashire
Walking up to The Halo sculpture involves a short but steep exhilarating walk that packs a punch and features a weird and wonderful sculpture with a superb panoramic view.
If you’re visiting the Rossendale valley in Lancashire, or somewhere nearby, I can highly recommend you stop off in Haslingden and check out its quirky flying saucer called The Halo. It won’t take up much of your day and it’s worth the visit to experience something that little bit different.
What is the Halo Sculpture?
The Halo sculpture is one of 4 weird and wonderful Panopticons placed on various East Lancashire Pennine hills. They form a unique series of 21st Century landmarks that are visited by thousands.
If you’re not familiar with the phrase “Panopticon”, it means ‘a structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view.’ They were designed to attract people into the landscape, to engage with the place and enjoy the stunning landscapes in which they’re situated.
The Halo sculpture certainly does just that! Built on what was once a landfill site, the area has been transformed with vegetation and the Halo stands guard over its town, inviting residents and visitors to a place that was once a no go area. It has been positioned so it is clearly visible from the M66 and A56 approach roads.
Access to the Halo Sculpture
Unfortunately there is not much parking at the access point to The Halo. It requires a drive up a narrow steep lane so I recommend parking in Haslingden and walking up. It’s a steep but short climb, ¾ mile out the centre of Haslingden so it certainly gets the heart racing. However, on reaching the top you’re rewarded by a fabulous view of the Rossendale valley and Greater Manchester.
On the horizon you can see the Darwen and Peel Towers and the wind farm on Scout Moor. These are other walks that are well worth doing in the locality.
The imposing Halo sculpture is far more impressive than any photograph you’ll see. It is an 18 metre wide steel lattice dish raised 5 metres high by a tripod of metal legs.
Although I’ve only visited this place during daylight hours, I believe it’s fabulous being up there as the sun sets. The Halo revs into action with blue LED lights making it glow in the night sky. Atmospheric, evocative and haunting, the Halo sculpture is a UFO frozen on the verge of take off, hovering above the town of Haslingden.
Visitor Information for the Halo Sculpture
- Address: Cribden End Lane, Top O’Slate, Rossendale, Lancashire
- Free to visit
- Parking: Yes, but limited.
- Facilities: picnic tables, benches and Interpretation panels. No Public Conveniences
- Great for: Dog Walkers and families with children as there is lots of open space for both to run around.
The other Panopticon Sculptures in the project are:
- Colourfields
- Singing Ringing Tree
- Atom
Further information can be found here at Visit Lancashire and you can download trail maps of all the Panopticons there also.
If you’re preparing for a visit to these sites, it’s worth visiting the Mid Pennine Arts Organisation too.
Get in Touch!
Have you visited any of these structures? Which makes for the best walk? Have you got a favourite, or more to the point – which should I do next?
Please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
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Further Reading: Walks in N.W. England
Check out my winter’s wander at Pennington Flash, Greater Manchester or hike through the stunning snowy landscape at Rivington Pike and Winter Hill, Lancashire.
Discover the iron mean at Crosby Beach or take a walk from Southport to Ainsdale Sands along the Merseyside coast.
Walk to the Dream sculpture at Sutton Manor Woodlands and explore neighbouring Clock Face Country Park, situated just south of St Helens, Merseyside.
Explore Risley Moss Nature Reserve near Warrington and Wigg Island in Runcorn, both fab places to walk your dog in north Cheshire.
Walk the Ingleton Waterfalls trail – a superb 4.5 mile walk around some stunning waterfalls.
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A Yorkshire Lass | 8th Jul 16
This is not an area I have considered walking in before, but your stunning photos make me want to put it on my “to do” list! The weather looked amazing too which is half the battle for walkers!