Helios at Fountains Abbey
See the sun like never before as Luke Jerram's iconic sculpture shines inside the spectacular ruins of Fountains Abbey. Experience Helios on 4-5 October and 11-12 October 2025.
Booking tickets to see Helios under the stars
You will need to book a ticket for our sunrise and sunset events even if you're a member. We'll be sharing more information about these soon. Tickets will be available on our website to book from 5 September. We're expecting these to sell out quickly so encourage you to make plans and book early. You'll be able to see Helios within the abbey ruins in the daytime as part of normal admission. Please read on to find out more.
What is Helios?
This October you will be able to experience the awe-inspiring new artwork from Luke Jerram: Helios
Named after the sun god in ancient Greek mythology, this seven-metre spherical sculpture of the sun combines light, solar imagery and sounds recorded by NASA to bring the sun's intricate details to a new light.
This year, Helios is embarking on a tour of National Trust properties and other locations. It will be shining in the ruins of the abbey this autumn for two weekends only: 4-5 and 11-12 October.
Fountains Abbey will make for an unforgettable backdrop for the large, glowing sun underneath the natural skies and surrounded by the bright colours of autumn in the landscape. To the monks who founded this special place, the sun was a vital part of the cycle of their lives.
Luke Jerram's innovative installation is illuminated from within and has a detailed surface made up from solar imagery. One centimetre of this impressive sculpture represents 200km of the sun's surface. Together with the soundscape created from NASA recordings, this immersive experience allows you to explore the intricacies, power and scale of the sun's surface in a way you never have before.
Helios has been co-commissioned by National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College and University College London.
'Fountains Abbey is like the sun to our family. All of the big moments of our lives have revolved around it.'
- comment from a visitor
How to see Helios
Helios will be at Fountains Abbey 4, 5, 11 and 12 October 2025
The sculpture will be suspended in the nave of the abbey. Visitors will be able to enjoy the artwork from various places within the ruins as well as extended views through the grand East Window on their walk towards the water garden. This is the first time Helios will be displayed in a World Heritage Site, bringing this symbol of art and nature into 'a masterpiece of human creative genius'.
Helios by day
Helios will be viewable from 10am to 4pm in the daytime. You won't have to book a ticket to visit in the day and there is no additional charge to see the sculpture. You'll also be able to enjoy all of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal including the water garden and deer park. Normal admission will apply.
To manage capacity, we'll be closing the site at 4pm before we re-open for the evening and you won't be able to use your day ticket to stay. Visitors who would like to enjoy the grounds in the daytime and also have a ticket for the evening will have to exit and re-enter during their allocated time slot.
Helios by sunrise
Imagine watching as the real sun comes up over the abbey as Helios shines from within. We'll be opening the abbey ruins to visitors from 6:15am to experince this rare opportunity. You'll be able to enjoy the silence of the early morning and hear the dawn chorus of nature waking up all around you too.
You'll need to book tickets to our sunrise events which will be taking place at 6:15am on the mornings of 4, 5 ,11 and 12 October, even if you're a member. Tickets will be available from this website from Friday 5 September.
- Adults: £12
- Children (5-17) £6
- Under 5's and National Trust members: Free
Parking and admission for the sunrise event will be at West Gate only. The Visitor Centre and Studley Royal entrances will be closed until standard admission opens at 10am.
Helios by sunset
On the evenings of 4, 5 ,11 and 12 October we'll be opening the abbey specially so you can see Helios among the floodlit ruins.
You'll need to book a ticket for our evening events, which will be taking place from 5 - 9pm, even if you're a member. Tickets will be available from this website from Friday 5 September.
- Adults: £12
- Children (5-17) £6
- Under 5's and National Trust members: Free
During the evening, hot food will be available in the Mill Yard street food market and Mill Cafe, with a selection of local caterers on hand to fill those grumbling tummies. During the evening, only the abbey ruins will be lit. The rest of the site including the water gardens will be closed to visitors.
Car parks will close at 9.30pm.
Photographer's only event
We're pleased to offer an exclusive sunrise opening for photographers to capture the spectacle of Helios hanging in the ruins of Fountains Abbey on Friday 3 October.
The site will open at 6-8am where Helios will be hanging in the splendour of the floodlit ruins. There will be opportunities for shots within the ruins as well as through the window on the east side of the abbey as the sun rises within the colourful autumn landscape.
We won't be open to the public so photography won't be disrupted by torches and crowds etc.
You'll need to book a ticket for the photographers opening. Numbers are limited to just thirty guests to ensure everyone can get their 'shot'. Photography is for personal use only and cannot be used commercially.
This event will be suitable for still photography rather than video. You won't be able to bring in additional lighting and no drones. Tri-pods are welcome.
Tickets are £30 per person. Unfortunatley, due to charity commission rules we cannot offer a discount for this event to members of the National Trust.
Is Helios accessible?
Fountains Abbey is largely accessible with blue badge parking, accessible toilets and step-free routes around the site.
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available to hire free of charge if visiting in the daytime. Please pre-book these to ensure availability. Phone to book or find out more: (01765) 608888. For safety, we're unable to hire our mobility scooters during our evening and sunrise events.
The route from our West Gate car park to the abbey is on the level. There is a grassy lawn to cross to access the ruins. There is a ramp into the Nave, suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters.
What happens in bad weather?
We're hoping for mild weather while Helios is on display. However, Helios will be temporarily paused if the wind picks up, to ensure the safety of the artwork and visitors. The artwork is made from a delicate material and even mild wind speeds might mean that we have to take it down. We won't take the decision lightly as we hate to dissapoint our visitors but if we do, we'll try and give as much notice as we're able to.
If we do cancel and you've booked a ticket to one of our evening or sunrise events you'll be notified via email from our events team.
If you're planning a visit, please check our social media and website for updates before you travel.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Waggy tails are very welcome here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. You'll be able to take your dog into the abbey ruins where the artwork is displayed. For everything you'll need to know about bringing your dog here see: Dog walking at Fountains Abbey | Yorkshire | National Trust
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