Gentle giant visiting Stonehenge over Bank Holiday weekend
Enormous puppet heads to Wiltshire's famous monument
A huge puppet called Gnomus will be entertaining visitors to Stonehenge over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The character billed as the 'Caretaker of the Earth' will be at the famous monument from today (29th April until Monday May 2nd)
The bumbling 'kind and gentle giant' stands almost four metres tall, almost as big as one of the Sarsen stones.
English Heritage says Gnomus will 'regale visitors with tales of mystery and wonder about the age old monument.'
He aims to engage visitors particularly children with the theme of conservation.
"His funny, poignant stories of Stonehenge allow us to marvel at this famous World Heritage Site with fresh eyes. A celebration of humanity's relationship to the stones and landscape, this brand new, larger than life show explores how we can learn from our past to care for our future. Gnomus reminds us that we must all be caretakers of the earth."
Jennifer Davies, English Heritage’s Head of Historic Properties for Stonehenge said the charity is 'excited' to welcome the giant and hoped many would take on board the 'important message' of conservation.
Gnomus was first commissioned for the BBC Ten Pieces Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017, and was later developed from a two to four-person puppet for a summer commission at Kew Gardens.
A series of family-friendly performances will take place at various times throughout the day from the 29 April - 2 May between 10am and 5pm. Gnomus shows on Saturday and Monday will be signed performances featuring a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Admission to the event is included in the standard admission ticket price.
Gnomus will also return over the August Bank Holiday too! (27th-29th August)