The eye-catching lighthouses will be put on display in locations across the city through the summer of 2026, creating a free, easily accessible, must-see spectacle for adults and children of all ages, whether they already love art or are yet to discover its magical appeal, with the added bonus of prompting people to get up and get moving outdoors.
The trail will run from Monday 6 July to Sunday 13 September 2026. 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.
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 on 1 October 2026.
The Guiding Lights App
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 of the trail, 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.
The Little Lights schools project trail
Running alongside the main trail are two exciting offshoots each featuring 1m tall lighthouses.
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.
Outreach Exhibition
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 soon.
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