Art Around Huyton is a public art trail created by artist Martin Heron and commissioned by Knowsley Council.

There are two parts to the trail - Hands Around Huyton and Family Circle.

Hands Around Huyton

Hands Around Huyton features 12 bronze casts showing the hands of local people holding objects that connect to Huyton. Around each cast is a decorative pattern that is a secret code. These codes were inspired by public casting workshops held in Huyton in June 2024. Participants suggested making a trail with a puzzle that families could solve together as part of the artwork.

Each cast tells a personal story connected to Huyton. Together, they share the town’s rich social, cultural and historical identity. The project celebrates the people, events and businesses that have helped shape Huyton.

Crack the code

We invite you to scan the QR code on each work. This will take you to an online index that will help decode each symbol in the cipher, which will reveal more about each cast. Can you follow the Huyton trail and decipher all 12 casts?

About the artist

Martin Heron is an internationally renowned artist. He creates imaginative major public artworks ranging from large-scale gateway sculptures to public art trails.

Martin’s work is shaped by the places it's created in, often inspired by local history, geography and the people who live there. He focuses on making art that connects with communities and tells meaningful stories about place.

A circular cast of a custard cream biscuit being held and then dipped into a tea mug.
Circular cast of two football boots
Circular cast with raised hands holding a camera. The camera lens points towards us.
A round cast showing two hands - one holding a sunflower, the other holding a butterfly on a stick.
A round cast shows a wooden hand trowel with three upward prongs being held.
A hand holding a wooden gavel by the handle.
A golf club being held in position, with a golf ball being placed down on a tee.
A circular cast of hands holding a pen (left), spray can (centre) and a paintbrush (right)
A circular cast shows an adult holding train tickets. A child holds a toy train in each hand below.
A circular cast of a pair of open hands holding two small dog sculptures made by Shuan Taft.
A gingerbread man being held, facing us. He has two buttons on his chest.
A circular cast of a hand holding a shield trophy.

The Family Circle

The Family Circle is a striking red steel gateway sculpture celebrating Huyton’s heritage and community. Inspired by historic biscuit tins from the local Huntley & Palmer factory, it symbolises shared identity and belonging. Developed through community input, the circular design features coded stainless-steel patterns that invite interaction and discovery. Positioned as the starting point of the Art Around Huyton trail, it serves as both landmark and experience, welcoming visitors day and night while reflecting the area’s past, present, and future.

Read more.