Singing Ringing Tree - Panopticon

Design by Tonkin Liu.

Burnley's Panopticon, 'Singing Ringing Tree', is a unique musical sculpture which overlooks Burnley from its position high above the town on Crown Point.

Constructed from pipes of galvanised steel stacked in layers, this Panopticon takes the form of a tree bending to the winds and harnesses the energy of those winds to produce a low, tuneful song. In June 2007, Singing Ringing Tree was named winner of a National Award for architectural excellence by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

'Singing Ringing Tree' is close to the Dunnockshaw Millennium Wood, part of the Forest of Burnley reforestation programme, and links to the Pennine Bridleway and local walking routes. Many native tree and bird species are to be observed.

The site offers a spectacular panorama of East Lancashire: to the north, a wonderful view of Pendle Hill; to the east, a glimpse of the Cliviger wind turbines on the Yorkshire border; and in between, a panoramic overview of the town of Burnley, with the famous Turf Moor football stadium at its centre. On a clear day you can see the Bowland Fells, Pendle, Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Great Whernside.