The Atom is Pendle's Panopticon. Panopticons, funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP), is a visionary scheme to create a unique series of 21st century landmarks across East Lancashire by 2007, as symbols of the renaissance of the area.

The unique, egg-shaped Atom was designed by Peter Meacock with Katarina Novomestska and Architects WCW and was opened by the Mayor of Pendle in September 2006. The bronze-coated Atom is located inWycoller Country Park  and provides both a striking contemporary viewing point and shelter from which to enjoy the stunning surrounding landscape, and an intriguing and beautiful object which can be viewed from afar.

For a self-guided walk at Wycoller try Peter Short's Panopticon Walk.

Photo: Karen Williams. Image supplied by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).