Basildon Park to host newest giant sculpture by Luke Jerram: Helios

14th July 2025

• National Trust has co-commissioned internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram to create Helios named after the Ancient Greek mythological God who personified the sun.
• 7-metre artwork to be displayed outside in the stunning Palladian façade of Basildon Park.
• Helios follows Luke’s successful astronomical artworks ‘Museum of the Moon’, ‘Gaia’ and ‘Mars’.
• The sculpture combines audio and visual artistry including the sound of the sun captured by NASA.
• Helios is at National Trust’s Basildon Park, near Reading, 15-18 and 22-25 August 2025.

       
The National Trust has announced that Berkshire will have two opportunities to view Luke Jerram’s newest sculpture, Helios, at Basildon Park near Reading, this summer.

Helios comes to Basildon Park for the first time 15-18 August, takes a rest then returns 22-25 August.

This dazzling new artwork will be displayed in a picturesque glade in Basildon Park’s Pleasure Grounds with the 18^th century mansion in the background.

Visitors will be able to walk around and directly underneath Helios and gaze up at the radiant sun from below. Bean bags will be available for those who want to stay a while and take in the sights and sounds of Helios.

Basildon Park’s opening hours will shift to enable this awe-inspiring experience to be enjoyed throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Helios is at its best radiating against darkening skies in a glowing celebration of light and nature.

In celebration of the sculpture, there’ll be many activities to enjoy at Basildon Park alongside Helios:

• BBQ and deckchairs in the evening on the lawn in front of the manor
• Late opening tea room with a bespoke Helios menu
• Easels and art supplies provided for creative endeavours
• Pop-up music and dance productions
• Tai Chi under the sun
• Talks by Reading Astronomy Group with solar system models and specialist solar scopes to view the sun safely
• Sensory space exhibition in the South Pavilion
• Visions Unreel in the Garden Room, an exhibition showcasing Basildon Park’s on-screen appearances Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice and more
• Space-themed interactive games and activities for children

Helios fuses solar imagery, sunlight and a specially created surround-sound composition, including NASA recordings of the sun, by sound artists, Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson.  

At an approximate scale of 1:200 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 2,000km of the sun’s surface.

The sun has inspired people throughout history as a symbol of life, light and renewal. By blending art with science, Helios invites us to reflect on the forces that shape our planet and recognise our role in serving and protecting the natural world.

Commenting on Helios, the Trust’s Director of Access and Conservation John Orna-Ornstein said: ‘Working with Luke has been such a natural fit for the Trust. Both passionate about the climate crisis and ensuring that as many people can access the arts and culture as possible, Helios presented the ideal opportunity to collaborate.

‘Helios provides a simple and bold way to connect the public to the National Trust’s ambitions for the coming 10 years, heralded in its new strategy. It will provide a dramatic focal point for specifically created events and programming, as we seek to engage more people with the benefits of experiencing nature and culture.'

Helios artist Luke Jerram said: ‘We all know that it is very dangerous to look directly at the sun, as it can damage our eyesight. Helios provides a safe opportunity for the public to get up close to, and inspect, its extraordinarily detailed surface including sunspots, spicules and filaments.

‘The Northern Lights are one of the greatest wonders and displays of art in the natural world. I’ve incorporated the source of the solar flares which caused this phenomenon to be visible over the UK in May 2024.

‘I hope that the soundscape, lighting and sheer scale of Helios will combine to make an extraordinary and uplifting experience for the public and I cannot wait to see it showcased in some of the most wonderful locations around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.’

Helios continues a long legacy at the National Trust of presenting new and historic art to visitors. For centuries, guests to places now in the Trust’s care were captivated by artworks displayed in houses, gardens and parklands.

Today’s visitors can enjoy those same treasures and experience new artistic interventions designed to complement the historic collection. The presentation of Helios will shine a light on the places the Trust cares for and the benefit they offer the nation through the organisations and community groups the charity works with.

Sebastian Conway, General Manager for Basildon Park said ‘It’s an enormous privilege to be able to host Helios at Basildon Park. Luke’s artworks are visually stunning and a fantastic conversation starter for some of the really pressing challenges affecting society today, Luke’s artworks need to be seen in real life just to see the sheer scale of the installation.

‘We want to welcome everybody to come together and have the chance to immerse themselves in this inspiring sensory experience. I can’t wait to see what visitors’ reactions, and I look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy Helios at Basildon Park.’

Helios can be viewed with normal admission to Basildon Park (free for National Trust members). 

Please note: In the event of high winds or b, Helios will need to close. Please check the website before travelling.

For more information about Basildon Park and opening times, please see the website:

Basildon Park | Berkshire | National Trust