Standing tall on Burnley’s moorlands, the Singing Ringing Tree 🎵 is one of the county’s most mesmerizing and unexpected landmarks.
Often mixed up as the ‘Ringing Singing Tree’—an easy slip!—this strange sculpture draws both locals and fans from around the globe, with YouTube clips hitting over 5 million views.
Online, people describe it as looking like alien wreckage or even a scene from a horror movie, yet its eerie melodies have a strangely calming effect.
I experienced it myself.
During my visit, standing next to the towering structure and gazing over the breathtaking landscape, the tree’s otherworldly whistles created a vibe that’s simply unforgettable.
The Singing Ringing Tree information
Why was The Singing Ringing Tree built?
Dimensions: 3 m (9.8 ft)
Medium: Steel
Architects: Mike Tonkin & Anna Liu
Launched: 15th December, 2006
As part of an adventurous project by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network, the Singing Ringing Tree is one of four striking landmarks placed across the Pennines, designed to bring a burst of creativity to the local countryside.
Interestingly, the Singing Ringing Tree stands on the site of an old, crumbling re-diffusion transmission station. The building was taken down, and some of its materials were recycled to help craft this iconic sculpture.
Rising three meters high across 21 layers, the structure is built from an impressive 322 pieces of galvanized steel pipes.
Created by the renowned London architecture studio Tonkin Liu, the Singing Ringing Tree was completed in late 2006 with a budget of £150,000, quickly earning praise for its striking design and otherworldly sounds.
By June 2007, it had even won the National Award for architectural excellence from the Royal Institute of British Architects—a truly impressive achievement!
What does The Singing Ringing Tree do?
Anna Liu, one of Tonkin Liu’s lead architects, explains that the Singing Ringing Tree is designed to “turn the wind into music” and transform Lancashire’s often-complained-about windy weather into something beautiful.
The Singing Ringing Tree’s large hollow steel pipes work together as the wind passes through, creating a unique choral melody that sweeps across the Pennine hills.
Likewise, Anna explains that their goal was also to craft a sculpture that makes sound visible, drawing inspiration from the shape of an ear and the classic image of a tree swaying in the wind.
What instrument does The Singing Ringing Tree sound like?
This extraordinary sculpture is classified as a wind harp (or Aeolian harp), an instrument played entirely by the wind.
Using Lancashire’s gusty breezes to create its tunes, the melodic tree produces a sharp, slightly discordant sound.
“Discordant” simply means the notes aren’t perfectly in harmony—a deliberate choice. Each pipe was carefully tuned during construction by adding holes to its underside according to its length.
It’s these clashing notes that give the tree its uniquely eerie yet calming atmosphere.
Resembling a giant woodwind instrument, the sculpture’s melodies change with the weather, offering a fresh experience every visit.
“We’re so used to turning something on and off. But why? Why should you have the same experience every time? Nature doesn’t switch on, right?” – Anna Liu
Where is The Singing Ringing Tree?
Perched on the hills of Crown Point near Burnley in Lancashire, England, the Singing Ringing Tree is easy to locate.
Sitting just above Burnley Golf Club, visitors from the town centre can follow Manchester Road (A682) straight ahead and then take the left onto Crown Point Road.
For visitors coming from outside Burnley, the sculpture is easily reached via nearby motorways and main roads.
Singing Ringing Tree Carpark: Crown Point Rd, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 3RL
If you’re taking public transport, several buses pass near Crown Point, including the X43 Witch Way, 15 Ribble County, 483 Irwell Line, and 8 Rossendale Rovers.
How long is the walk to The Singing Ringing Tree?
There are several popular walking routes leading to the Singing Ringing Tree, each offering a pleasant and worthwhile ramble.
The most popular path is the Wayside Arts Trail, stretching 5.9 miles (9.5 km) and taking about 3 hours to complete.
At a normal pace, all the trails we recommend take 2–3 hours and are easy to navigate, making them perfect for walkers of all skill levels!
The Singing Ringing Tree walk routes
Wayside Arts Trail – Singing Ringing Tree Walk
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Time: 2–3 hours
Starting Point: Towneley Hall Car Park, Burnley, BB11 3RQ
Starting at the historic Towneley Hall, this heritage-themed walk up to Crown Point and back is perfect for a fun family outing.
Created between the Land and the Forest of Burnley in 2004–2005, the 9.5 km trail features imaginative way-markers inspired by local wildlife.
Kids especially love spotting the carved fingerposts along the route!
After following the 12 creative way-markers to the Singing Ringing Tree, enjoy a gentle stroll downhill back to Towneley Hall, a perfect spot for a picnic to end your walk.
For an extra adventure, you can also explore the inside of Towneley Hall.
Thieveley Pike and Cliviger Gorge – Singing Ringing Tree Walk
Slightly shorter than the Wayside Arts Trail, this walk is packed with sights and lets you explore stunning local countryside.
The dramatic Cliviger Gorge valley is a must-see, while the summit of Thieveley Pike offers breathtaking views of Pendle Hill and Cliviger—arguably as impressive as those from the Singing Ringing Tree.
Fun fact: the trig point at Thieveley Pike marks the site of an ancient warning beacon, once lit to signal national emergencies.
Clowbridge Reservoir to The Singing Ringing Tree walk
Time: 2-3 hours
Starting Point: Clowbridge Reservoir Car Park, Burnley, BB11 5P
The shortest route on our list, yet still a walk well worth taking!
This circular loop begins around the sparkling Clowbridge Reservoir, then gently climbs a country path leading straight to the Singing Ringing Tree.
After enjoying the sculpture and the stunning views from above, the trail winds back through the countryside, looping along the other side of the reservoir before returning to the car park.
For locals or seasoned walkers, it’s also simple to create your own route to the Singing Ringing Tree.
Here’s an example from my recent walk, combining parts of the Wayside Arts Trail with some quieter woodland paths for a more adventurous twist.
Fun facts you didn’t know about The Singing Ringing Tree
The Singing Ringing Tree is full of fascinating facts and hidden details that most visitors probably don’t know!
Did you know? A second Singing Ringing Tree was built in the USA, and a third one even stands in Saudi Arabia!
In 2017—ten years after the original debuted in Lancashire—a second Singing Ringing Tree was installed near Austin, Texas, in the small town of Manor.
American John Bird came up with the idea and even flew Mike Tonkin to Texas to help recreate the original sculpture.
Similarly, in a chat with designer Anna Liu, she shared that many countries have reached out to Tonkin Liu over the years, eager to create their own Singing Ringing Tree.
At present, Saudi Arabia hosts the only other existing sculpture, though nations like Argentina, Uruguay, and France have also explored building their own versions.
It’s pretty wild to think that a structure from little old Lancashire has gained such global attention—definitely makes me proud to be local!
The name ‘Singing Ringing Tree’ was partly inspired from an old kids’ fantasy film?
Unknown to many, Burnley’s iconic landmark gets part of its name from a quirky 1950s German children’s film called The Singing Ringing Tree.
The Daily Telegraph even described it as “one of the most frightening things ever shown on children’s television,” so watch this psychedelic classic at your own risk…
The Singing Ringing Tree ranks as one of the world’s weirdest musical instruments?
Classic FM included the Singing Ringing Tree in its list of “The 13 Weirdest Musical Instruments Ever.”
In the rankings, Lancashire’s windy masterpiece sits alongside a drum kit made from cheese, an electronic badger, and a wild invention called the “Cross-Grainger Kangaroo-Pouch Tone-Tool.”
The Singing Ringing Tree has other siblings on the Pennines?
Although it’s the most famous, the Singing Ringing Tree is just one of four artistic installations scattered across the local countryside.
Created by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network as symbols of the area’s cultural revival, the other Pennine sculptures are:
The Atom (Pendle)
Colourfields (Blackburn)
Haslingden Halo (Rossendale)
After visiting the Singing Ringing Tree, why not make your next adventure a trip to one of these other incredible creations?
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