Throughout 2025 the National Trust will display Helios at locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Trust aims to make this dazzling new artwork as accessible to as many people as possible over the next year.
From 4-5 October and 11-12 October 2025, Helios shone inside the spectacular ruins of Fountains Abbey and offered opportunities to experience the artwork at sunrise and sunset.
Fountains Abbey was 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.
For centuries people have been drawn to this inspiring place. From humble beginnings the magnificent abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins that remain are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world. One-of-a-kind, this special place is now recognised as a World Heritage Site.