Singing Ringing Tree Travel Guide

Rising three meters tall, the Singing Ringing Tree is a remarkable wind-driven musical sculpture crafted from galvanized steel pipes. Its design mimics a windswept tree, with pipes swirling and bending as if shaped by the elements. When the strong winds of Crown Point blow through its hollow pipes, it produces a hauntingly beautiful and eerie melody that spans several octaves. The sound is both discordant and melancholic, creating an atmospheric harmony that resonates across the moorland and can be heard for miles on windy days.

Completed in 2006, the sculpture was conceived by award-winning architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu as part of the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network’s project to create iconic landmarks across the region. The site previously housed a re-diffusion transmission station, which was dismantled to make way for this innovative artwork. The pipes are carefully tuned, with narrow slits cut on their undersides to vary the tones they produce. The sculpture’s name nods to a 1960s/70s BBC children’s TV series of the same name, known for its eerie and surreal mood, which complements the sculpture’s haunting sounds.

Situated atop Crown Point, the Singing Ringing Tree overlooks the town of Burnley and the surrounding Pennine hills, offering sweeping panoramic views. The stark, rolling landscape provides a dramatic backdrop to the sculpture, enhancing its visual and auditory impact. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the area alongside the artistic marvel, making it a compelling destination for both nature lovers and art enthusiasts.

The Singing Ringing Tree has been recognized as one of the landmarks defining 21st-century Britain, receiving the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) National Award for architectural excellence in 2007. It is one of four 'panopticons'—structures designed to provide panoramic views—scattered throughout Lancashire. The sculpture represents a fusion of environmental art, architecture, and community identity, symbolizing the region’s creative spirit.

Access to the Singing Ringing Tree is straightforward, with a car park located about a five-minute walk away along a gravel path. The walk is gentle and suitable for most visitors, providing a pleasant approach through the moorland landscape. The site is open year-round and free to visit, making it an accessible cultural highlight. On windy days, the sculpture’s musical tones come alive, offering a unique sensory encounter that changes with the weather.

The sculpture’s integration into the natural environment emphasizes sustainability and respect for the landscape. Made from recycled materials from the former transmission station, it reflects a low-impact artistic approach. The interplay of wind, sound, and steel creates a dynamic piece that is both a visual landmark and an acoustic instrument, inviting visitors to experience the convergence of nature and human creativity in an extraordinary way.