Standing high above on the moorlands of Burnley lies one of the most fascinating yet unexpected sights in the whole county.
The Singing Ringing Tree šµšµ
Sometimes mistakenly named the āRinging Singing Treeā (an easy error to make!), this peculiar creation attracts not only locals but has also gained worldwide appeal, with YouTube videos of the sculpture reaching upwards of 5 million views!
Described online as having the appearance of some kind of alien wreckage, or even āsomething straight out of a horror movieā, the Singing Ringing Tree is known for producing a melody thatās uniquely eerie yet strangely calming.
I can attest to this first hand.
Standing beside the striking structure during my recent visit as I peered down at the stunning landscape below, the other-worldly whistling of the tree truly creates an atmosphere like no other.
The Singing Ringing Tree information
Dimensions: 3 m (9.8 ft)
Medium: Steel
Architects: Mike Tonkin & Anna Liu
Launched: 15th December, 2006
Why was The Singing Ringing Tree built?
Part of an adventurous project ran by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network; the Singing Ringing Tree was one of four landmarks erected on the Pennines with the intention of adding some creative flair to the local countryside.
Interestingly, the location of the Singing Ringing Tree was originally home to a crumbling old re-diffusion transmission station. The building was demolished, with parts being recycled to help create the iconic sculpture.
In total, the structure is stacked up 3 metres high over 21 layers and was assembled with a staggering 322 pieces of galvanised steel pipes.
Designed by leading London architecture studio Tonkin Liu with a whopping budget of Ā£150,000, the Singing Ringing Tree was completed towards the end of 2006, quickly garnering acclaim far and wide for its unusual appearance and unearthly echoes.
In June 2007, Singing Ringing Tree even won the National Award for architectural excellence by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Impressive stuff!
What does The Singing Ringing Tree do?
Anna Liu – one of Tonkin Liuās leading architects – states The Singing Ringing Tree is designed to āturn the wind into musicā and make something positive out of the windy Lancashire weather which is so often complained about.
The large hollow steel pipes of The Singing Ringing Tree work in unison as the wind blows through, forming a distinctive choral melody that swooshes over the Pennine hills.
Likewise, Anna says they also set out with the mission to create a sculpture which expresses sound visually, taking inspiration from both the shape of an ear and the classic depiction of a tree blowing in the breeze.
For more insight from Anna Liu ā be sure to check out our detailed interview!
What instrument does The Singing Ringing Tree sound like?
The outlandish sculpture is classed as a wind harp (or Aeolian harp), which is defined as an instrument played by the wind.
Being so large, the Singing Ringing Tree produces a tune which is louder and fuller than you first might expect, sounding incredibly rich by bellowing out a wide range of octaves.
Harnessing the power of windy Lancashire to compose its harmony, the melodic tree is described as generating a uniquely piercing and slightly discordant sound.
Discordant just means that all of the notes arenāt quite in harmony, which was certainly an intentional design. During construction, the pipes were purposely tuned according to their length by adding holes to the underside of each.
Itās these clashing notes which create the treeās characteristically unsettling yet peaceful ambiance.
Shaped like an oversized woodwind musical instrument, the unpredictability of the weather also means that the sculpture will play a new and different melody each time you visit.
āWeāre so used to turning something on and turning something off. But why? Why should you have the same experience each and every time? Donāt expect to turn nature on, right?ā – Anna Liu
Where is The Singing Ringing Tree?
Positioned atop the hills at Crown Point on the cusp of Burnley in Lancashire, England, the Singing Ringing Tree is by no means difficult to find.
Located just above Burnley Golf Club, if youāre heading here from the town centre, simply make your way up Manchester Road (A682) and keep straight until you reach the left turning onto Crown Point Road.
If youāre coming from outside of Burnley, itās also easily accessible via several nearby motorway links and roads.
Singing Ringing Tree Carpark – Crown Point Rd, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 3RL
For those using public transport, there are several buses which pass close to Crown Point, including the X43 Witch Way, 15 Ribble County, 483 Irwell Line and the 8 Rossendale Rovers.
How long is the walk to The Singing Ringing Tree?
Now, there are several popular walking routes which can take you to the Singing Ringing Tree, all of which are enjoyable rambles and well worth doing.
The most popular route tends to be the Wayside Arts Trail, which comes in at 5.9 miles (9.5 km) and takes roughly 3 hours to complete.
At a standard pace, all trails on our list shouldnāt take much longer than 2-3 hours and are relatively easy to follow, making them suitable for all abilities!
The Singing Ringing Tree walk routes
Wayside Arts Trail ā Singing Ringing Tree Walk
Distance: 9.5km (5.9 miles)
Time: 2-3 hours
Starting Point: Towneley Hall Car Parking, Burnley, BB11 3RQ
Starting from the historic Towneley Hall, this heritage themed stroll up to Crown Point and back is perfect for a family day out.
Developed between the Land and the Forest of Burnley in 2004 & 2005, the scenic 9.5 kilometre trail features a variety of imaginative way-markers inspired by the local wildlife.
Spotting the fingerpost carvings along the way is always a favourite activity with the kids!
After following the 12 artsy way-markers all the way to The Singing Ringing Tree, itās a relaxing stroll downhill back to Towneley which is always a lovely picnic spot to finish the ramble.
To extend your adventure, you could even pay a visit inside Towneley Hall.
Full route info here.
Thieveley Pike and Cliviger Gorge ā Singing Rining Tree Walk
Distance: 9.3km (5.7 miles)
Time: 2-3 hours
Starting Point: Crown Point Road, BB11 3RU
Ever so slightly shorter than the Wayside Arts Trail, this ramble is still crammed with interest and has you exploring some magnificent local countryside.
The deep valley of Cliviger Gorge is a rather dramatic sight to see, while taking in the glorious views of Pendle Hill and Cliviger from the summit of Thieveley Pike is arguably just as impressive a vantage point as from the Singing Ringing Tree.
Fun fact – the trig point of Thieveley Pike actually marks the location of an ancient warning beacon, which in olden times wouldāve been lit during national emergencies.
Full route info here.
CLOWBRIDGE RESERVOIR TO SINGING RINGING TREE – WALK
Distance: 8.8km (5.5 miles)
Time: 2-3 hours
Starting Point: Clowbridge Reservoir Car Park, Burnley, BB11 5P
The shortest route on the list, but still definitely a trail worth your attention!
The circular loop starts by taking you around the glistening waters of Clowbridge Reservoir, followed by a mild incline up a country path which leads all the way to The Singing Ringing Tree.
After admiring the sculpture along with the striking landscape from above, the walk guides you back down through the countryside and loops along the opposite end of the reservoir before finishing at the car park.
Full route info here.
For those who know the area well, itās also relatively easy to improvise your own route to the Singing Ringing Tree.
Below is an example of my most recent walk to the sculpture, which incorporated a mixture of the Wayside Arts Trail and some of the less trodden paths through the beautiful local woodlands.
Fun facts you didnāt know about The Singing Ringing Tree
There are plenty of interesting titbits around The Singing Ringing Tree that you most likely didnāt know about!
For example, did you know that:
A second Singing Ringing Tree was constructed in the USA, and a third in Saudi Arabia?
In 2017 – ten years after the original Singing Ringing Tree decorated the landscape of Lancashire – a second instalment was erected on the outskirts of Austin, Texas in a small rural town called Manor.
US citizen, John Bird, originally came up with the idea and even flew Mike Tonkin over to Texas to help in replicating the original structure.
Similarly, during my conversation with designer Anna Liu, she revealed there have been numerous other countries over the years whoāve also contacted Tonkin Liu expressing interest in building their very own Singing Ringing Tree.
Saudi Arabia currently house the only other Singing Ringing Tree in existence, but other nations such as Argentina, Uruguay and France have also been in talks about constructing their own iteration.
Kind of crazy to think a structure from little old Lancashire is in such hot demand. Makes me proud to be a local for sure!
The name āSinging Ringing Treeā was partly inspired from an old kidsā fantasy film?
Unknown to most, the name of Burnleyās iconic landmark partly originates from a rather bizarre German childrenās film back in the 1950s titled āThe Singing Ringing Treeā.
Described by the Daily Telegraph as āone of the most frightening things ever shown on childrenās televisionā, view this psychedelic oddity at your own riskā¦
The Singing Ringing Tree ranks as one of the worldās weirdest musical instruments?
Classic FM radio network included the Singing Ringing Tree on its list of āThe 13 weirdest musical instruments everā.
In these rankings, the Lancashire-based creation shares company with a drum kit made from cheese, an electronic badger and a crazy contraption named a āCross-Grainger Kangaroo-Pouch Tone-Toolā.
The Singing Ringing Tree has other siblings on the Pennines?
While certainly the most popular of the bunch, The Singing Ringing Tree was actually part of a larger project and is just one of four artistic creations dotted around the local countryside.
Erected by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network as symbols of renaissance in the area, the other sculptures to be found in the Pennines are:
After youāve visited the Singing Ringing Tree, why not check out one of these creations for your next adventure?