St Luke’s Guiding Lights sculpture trail is set to be a favourite family attraction this summer across Plymouth and beyond.
A spectacular line-up of more than 40 show-stopping lighthouse sculptures will map out a magical journey through the streets of Britain’s Ocean City this summer in a bold and joyful project that matches art and discovery with compassion and community.
St Luke’s Guiding Lights art trail promises to be one of Devon’s must-see, family-friendly events running right through the holiday season, from 6 July to 13 September. The eye-catching 2.4m tall lighthouses – each one designed and decorated by an accomplished individual artist, and many sponsored by big-hearted local businesses – will be on display in prime locations across Plymouth, creating an exciting free promenade experience for all ages.
Whether you are a seasoned art lover or simply looking for a fun day out by the sea, the free trail will be colourful, joyful, accessible and inclusive, gently encouraging people to get outdoors, get moving, and explore their surroundings.
Following in the footsteps of the highly successful Elmer’s Big Parade back in 2019, St Luke’s has teamed up once again with seasoned producers Wild in Art to create a striking visual trail that acknowledges Plymouth’s maritime history and celebrates the lighthouse as a beacon of hope and safety.
Alongside the fun of the trail, that association dovetails with the ultimate aim of the project – to raise vital funds and increase awareness to support the expert end of life care St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provides for patients and their families, not only across the city but also in towns and villages of West Devon, Dartmoor and the South Hams.
After being on show to the public for 10 weeks, the sculptures will find their permanent homes when they go under the hammer at a grand auction finale.
Guiding Lights was launched last year with the unveiling of the trail’s first full-size lighthouse, a vibrant homage to Plymouth and its people by celebrated artist Brian Pollard, a patron of St Luke’s, alongside a smaller scale sea-inspired creation by popular local mural painter Mrs Murals, which has been on the road inspiring creators and supporters.
Hundreds of artists submitted their visions to transform one of the blank white lighthouses into imaginative showpieces that will stop people in their tracks. An experienced panel whittled down the sea of submissions to a shortlist of 80, and these designs were shared with sponsors and the Guiding Lights team to make the final selection for the trail.
For her full-size sculpture Mrs Murals (aka Ellie Johnson) took a deep dive into the vulnerable marine life and beautiful environment of Plymouth Sound. She said: “It’s great to create something so large and impactful alongside so many really incredible artists. I feel honoured to take part in such a fantastic and important project.”
Alice Nimmo, a University of Plymouth illustration graduate, whose mother was cared for by St Luke’s rooted her design in the timeless nature of caregiving and an inspirational trip to see the friezes of Pompeii.
She said: “I really want to pay tribute to what St Luke’s does for patients and their families. That very human care means a lot.”
People can decide whether to pull out all the stops and complete the trail in one long day or slow things down and view the lighthouses in shorter bursts.
A dedicated Guiding Lights interactive app (available to download for Apple or Android from 1 July for £1.99), will enhance the experience with access to maps, a pedometer and insider information, as well as help you log your lighthouse milestones and unlock tempting reward codes from sponsors. Printed maps will be available from Plymouth Tourist Information Centre and most St Luke’s charity shops for a suggested £2 donation.
Running alongside the main trail are two exciting offshoots each featuring 1m tall lighthouses – the Little Lights schools project and an outreach exhibition travelling to assorted Devon locations.
The Guiding Lights team worked with 42 education establishments across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, engaging with children and young people. As well as using educational resources to have conversations around death and dying, breaking down traditional taboos, pupils from each school and college have decorated a bespoke lighthouse in their own original style.
These special sculptures will be on display at The Box, Plymouth, from 7 July until 13 September, surrounded by the city museum and gallery’s permanent collection in an exclusive indoor trail, heralded by a stunning full-scale lighthouse sculpture outside on Tavistock Place. Watch out for lighthouse themed events at the Box through the school holidays.
Trail enthusiasts won’t want to miss the roaming show of 10 artist-designed, individually sponsored sculptures that will tour selected venues over the summer weeks in areas of Devon served by St Luke’s nursing teams. These include the Tap House, Salcombe; in Kingsbridge, the Harbour House Gallery, Velarde Gallery and Kingsbridge Library; Dartmoor Zoo; St Luke’s charity shop, Tavistock; and across the Tamar at Mount Edgcumbe, Barrow Centre, Cremyll (Cornwall).
All the lighthouses, large and small, will be gathered together for a farewell weekend exhibition, from 25-27 September, at the Market Hall, Devonport, Plymouth. Tickets, with scheduled visiting slots, will be available from St Luke’s Guiding Lights website nearer the time.
The Guiding Lights auction takes place on 1 October at the University of Plymouth, when the large and roaming sculptures will be sold to the highest bidders. All profits from the sales will go directly to fund the compassionate care St Luke’s delivers in people’s own homes and at the hospice’s specialist unit at Turnchapel.
Events manager Georgina Dyke is leading on the project for St Luke’s. She said: “We’re bursting with enthusiasm as we embark on this journey and certain that, with the support of our wonderful community, we can make sure Guiding Lights 2026 is a brilliant success.”
There are still limited opportunities for businesses, organisations or individuals to sponsor a St Luke’s Guiding Lights lighthouse sculpture. Get in touch with Georgina at: gdyke@stlukes-hospice.org.uk.
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