Top five sculpture trails
We’re all used to walks where you see the natural wonders of our countryside, but today we’re focusing on walks that combine man-made and natural sights. A sculpture walk can get out in the fresh air and looking at works of art, both contemporary and historic. Here we look at our top five:
Broomhill Sculpture Park is surrounded by woodland in a north Devon valley. It has one of the largest permanent collections of contemporary art and sculpture in the south west. Some 300 sculptures by more than 60 sculptors are on display in 10 acres of beautiful gardens. The gardens are open daily for most of the year (check website for details) from 11 am until 4 pm and admission is £4.50 for a standard ticket.
The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is four miles long and should take you an hour to an hour and a half to walk around. It’s open all year round and entry is free, although there is a charge for parking. The sculptures are within the forest, encouraging you to explore the beautiful woodland environment. You can either follow the blue ringed posts or pick up a map at Connections in Beechenhurst. There are a whole host of other activities in the Forest of Dean area and it’s well worth a visit.
Of course, sculpture trails don’t have to be in rural or woodland spots. Cambridge City Centre Sculpture Trail starts at the Tourist Information Centre, close to the centre of historic Cambridge and takes around four hours. There are, of course, plenty of spots to stop for a rest or refreshments along the way. On the trail you’ll see over thirty sculptures, from crocodiles, bears and bronze horses to works by sculptors such as Henry Moore, Wendy Taylor and Michael Ayrton.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is well-known and incredibly easy to get to – just one mile off the M1. There’s something to suit most abilities here and there are wheelchair accessible areas. You can opt for a short tour or spend several hours exploring the far reaches of the park. Displays change throughout the year, but there are generally around 60 works on display. Entry to the park is free, but there is a fee for parking. There’s a restaurant, coffee shop, toilets and a picnic area on site, making it really family-friendly too.
Walk Highlands recommend the Glenkiln Sculptures Walk, near Shawhead. The four-mile ramble around the Glenkiln Reservoir is dotted with works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and Jacob Epstein.
Have you been to any other sculpture walks or trails? Let us know your favourites.
Themocracy
Jupiter Artland http://www.jupiterartland.org/
is just outside Edinburgh to the West – after you have seen it you can walk back to the city via the towpath of the Union Canal.