Sun’s a stunner at historic West Berks mansion Basildon Park

These stunning images were taken at Basildon Park at the weekend.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday visitors enjoyed the dazzling sight of Helios, Luke Jerram’s seven-metre diameter sculpture of the Sun in the grounds of the Palladian mansion.

It will open again for the final time this weekend, from Friday to Monday.

The sculpture combines audio and visual artistry, including the sound of the Sun captured by NASA.

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

Related activities are taking place including skygazing through solar scopes, trying on space suits, Indian classical dance to the Sun god Lord Shiva, yoga and a barbecue on the front lawn.

Visitors can walk around and directly underneath Helios and gaze up at the radiant sun from below.

Helios is at its best radiating against darkening skies in a glowing celebration of light and nature.

It opens at noon, with the last entry at 9pm, before closing at 10pm.

Basildon Park’s opening hours have shifted while hosting Helios to enable this awe-inspiring experience to be enjoyed throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

For more information visit the website https://tinyurl.com/ 397jt2ms

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

Skygazing through solar scopes, talks and activities with Reading Astronomical Society on Saturday, noon-10pm.

Mindfulness and yoga/sound bath, Sunday, 3pm-3.45pm.

Indian classical dance highlighting Lord Shiva by Kalakunj on Saturday, 3pm-3.20pm and 5pm-5.20pm.

Find out how space suits keep astronauts safe and try one on with Space Store on Sunday, 2pm-6pm.

Tai Chi to lift the mood and enhance wellbeing on Monday, 5pm-6pm.

Helios-themed food and drink is on offer in the tea room noon-4pm, with a drinks van and barbecue on the lawn in the evening.

If you are inspired by Helios, art materials are available to let your creativity flow throughout the event.

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.

General manager for Basildon Park Sebastian Conway 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.”

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

Helios has been co-commissioned by the National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College and University College London.