The Singing Ringing Tree: a cool large scale sculpture you must visit in East Lancashire
The Singing Ringing Tree is a large-scale musical sculpture, known as a panopticon, that sits high on the hills overlooking Burnley in East Lancashire, with spectacular 360° views.
If you’re visiting the Burnley area, I can highly recommend heading into the hills to see this musical tree. It’s situated close to a moorland road so it does not take long to walk to from a small car park. It’s worth the journey just to see this unique structure. You won’t see anything like it anywhere else and if you have a clear weather day, the views are superb.
The Panopticon Project
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 explore and engage with the place and enjoy the stunning landscapes in which they’re situated.
The panopticon project brought four different sculptures to East Lancashire back in 2007 and these have gone on to act as symbols for the regeneration of the area.
The first panopticon I visited was the ‘Halo’ many years ago which is situated above Haslingden and resembles a giant flying saucer. You can read more about how to walk to this one in my blog here.
I only recently got round to visiting the other three. In addition to the Singing Ringing Tree, there is ‘The Atom’ at Wycoller and ‘Colourfields’ at Corporation Park in Blackburn.
I love these kinds of projects that bring art and culture into the outdoors. The Singing Ringing Tree certainly fulfils the intended brief and enhances its environment.
The views are amazing, especially on a clear bright day where you can see as far as Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent, Stoodley Pike and Winter Hill as well as the very prominent and iconic Pendle Hill.
The Singing Part
The Singing Ringing Tree is more than just a cool sculpture though. It actually sings. Yes, you read that correctly! The galvanised steel pipes harness wind energy to produce sound; in theory – a ‘low tuneful song’.
I visited when it wasn’t particularly windy though, so the occasional low-pitched whistle was all I heard. I may have had a gorgeous sunny day for a walk in the hills, but it was less than optimal for experiencing the acoustic glories of the tree.
You will find that not all of the pipes sing, some are just structural. They are tuned so they sing in harmony by having holes cut in the underside of the tube. The whole structure is just fascinating in my opinion.
How to Visit the Singing Ringing Tree
Situated not far from Crown Point Road, which forks off the A682 out of Burnley, there is easy access to the sculpture along a beautifully gravelled path making accessibility easy. It’s only a short walk from the small car park on the side of the road, however please note there is a reasonable gradient on part of the path.
If you are in the market for a decent hike, you can walk up to the Singing Ringing Tree along a well-trodden route from Towneley Hall and Park, with a footpath then continuing on a circular route back down to the park.
You could also park in Dunnockshaw and walk round Clowbridge Reservoir up to the Singing Ringing Tree or in reverse starting at the tree.
Follow The Burnley Wayside Arts Trail
At the same time as the Panopticon project was developed, a community environment project entitled ‘Land’ saw the Burnley Wayside Arts Trail created along the walking route I mentioned between Towneley Park and the Singing Ringing Tree.
Professional artists worked with local schools and the wider community to create innovative landscape features, that like the panopticons created engagement with the environment and a method of exploring the area and encouraging exercise along a family friendly trail.
The trail features 12 unique fingerposts carved from local green oak by sculptor Martyn Bednarczuk, in addition to carved brick waymarkers made by local schoolchildren working with artist Julie Miles and a ceramic map. Julia Miles also created a replica brick kiln using designs made by those children.
You can download the map with a detailed route description for this circular walk from Towneley Park on the Visit Lancashire webpage.
I would recommend using OS Map OL21 (South Pennines) if you intend to do any walking around this area.
Other Visitor Information
- There’s plenty of land around the Singing Ringing Tree to sit with a picnic and there’s a couple of benches on site as well.
- Bins are located in the car park.
- You can find information panels about the panopticon and the site in the carpark and along the path.
Get in Touch!
What do you think of the tree? Cool… awesome… or just plain weird? Are you a fan?
Drop me a line in the comments below and tell me your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.
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Further Reading…
Visit the other panopticons while you’re in the area – The Halo and The Atom (post coming soon)
Interested in more walks in N.W. England, then check out these other posts:
Go on a winter 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, or head to Lumb Hole Falls on a walk from Hebden Bridge
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