Internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram brings his monumental solar installation Helios to Victoria Baths, transforming one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks into a radiant fusion of art, science and wonder. Presented from 17 March to 6 April 2026, the installation will fill the Gala Pool with light, sound and reflection, offering visitors a mesmerising encounter with the Sun brought down to Earth.
Suspended above the pool, this seven-metre glowing sculpture reveals the awe-inspiring beauty of our nearest star through over 400,000 high-resolution photographs captured by astrophotographer Dr. Stuart Green and NASA. Each centimetre of its surface represents 2,000 kilometres of the Sun; swirling in astonishing detail.
Accompanied by an immersive soundscape, Helios invites you to step into the light, slow down, and reconnect – with the warmth, rhythm and brilliance that sustains us all.
Suspended above the Gala Pool, a vast glowing sphere of the Sun’s surface will fill the space with radiant light and immersive sound.
At seven metres in diameter, Helios offers a rare chance to stand beneath the Sun itself—safe, mesmerising, and unforgettable.
The artwork fuses stunning NASA solar imagery with a specially created surround sound composition by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson. Together, they create an atmosphere that’s both meditative and awe-inspiring.
Whether you’re drawn by art, science, or sheer wonder, Helios will leave you glowing.
There’s something magical about standing beneath the Sun inside a former Edwardian swimming pool.
Helios invites you to pause, breathe, and reconnect—with light, sound, and your surroundings.
You might find calm reflection, the perfect photo moment, or just an escape from the everyday. However you experience it, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for both the Sun and the Baths.
Helios will be open from 17 March to 6 April 2026, with different experiences across the week.
Weekday Evenings – Find Your Calm
Slow down and soak it in. Visit between Monday and Friday evenings for a peaceful, atmospheric experience.
Enjoy gentle music, soft light, and space to explore at your own pace.
Weekends – Light, Life & Energy
Weekends bring a livelier rhythm to the Baths. Family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and street food by day.
As evening falls, the bar opens and the space comes alive with music, people, and golden light.
All visitors can explore the full building, including a digital heritage trail, exhibitions, and our on-site café and bar.
Visits typically last 60–90 minutes.
Walking
Victoria Baths is around a 25-minute walk from Manchester Oxford Road Station or a 30-minute walk from the city centre. Simply head south along Oxford Road, then turn left onto Hathersage Road.
Bus
Regular bus services run from the city centre and universities. Routes 41, 42, 43, 142, and 143 stop on Oxford Road near Hathersage Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the Baths.
Car
Use postcode M13 0FE for sat nav. 30 spaces of onsite parking are available for accessible vehicles. Public street parking and nearby car parks are also available.
Our ground floor areas are available with step-free access, including step-free routes to key spaces. Please note that, due to the historic nature of the building, there is no built in step-free access inside the pool areas. For presentations and ceremonies, we ensure dedicated spaces are available around the sides of the pools.
We also have an accessible parking space directly outside the building as well as an additional 30 spaces in the car park.
If you have any questions about accessibility or specific requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team we’ll be happy to help.
Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE