Six of the Best Sculpture Parks and Trails

From intimate collections in spellbinding gardens, to large-scale pieces set across acres of parkland, art forms take on a new meaning when set amid natural surroundings. Places of inspiration, contemplation and reflection, the UK is home to many wonderful sculpture parks and gardens, housing works from both home-grown and internationally renowned artists. From Sussex to Edinburgh, we recommend the best sculpture parks and gardens to visit for a peaceful and inspiring day out…

’Swirl’ by Ben Barrell

Nestled within the breathtaking Surrey Hills, you will discover a beautiful blend of nature and artwork in this truly unique and magical sculpture garden. Brainchild of owner, and original curator Hannah Peschar, this sculpture garden proudly exhibits over 200 pieces by some 50+ artists from across Britain and Europe. The range of works is wide, with styles varying from figurative to highly abstract, innovatively using contemporary metals, wire, glass, ceramics and plastics, as well as the more traditional stone, wood and bronze. 

Each sculpture is carefully placed to enhance and foster a relationship with the garden itself, with neither one outshining the other. A work of art in its own right, the landscape has been transformed by award-winning architect Anthony Paul. Constantly changing throughout the seasons, the result is an inspired combination of peaceful harmony paired with dramatic surprises and inspiring vistas in an ever-changing environment.

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Across ten acres of lush, forested land, you will find over 250 sculptures on display from over 90 artists from around the globe. Set above the magnificent marl lakes, this 42 square miles of outstanding beauty, straddles the Wiltshire–Gloucestershire border, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. Brimming with activities that the whole family can enjoy, this is a fantastic area of the country to visit and the Cotswold Sculpture Park offers a great day out for all ages.

This 10 acre site, affectionately known as the 'Land,' has been transformed from a wild thistle field into a mixed deciduous and conifer woodland with ponds, gardens and glades, and meandering paths that take you on a journey around the contemporary artworks and sculpture. You will also find a family-friendly café on site, along with a hand-crafted amphitheatre within the gardens. Lovingly constructed from Cotswold stone, this intimate event space features open-air theatre and music events during the summer months. 

For those looking to incorporate a visit into a longer trip, adjacent to the Sculpture Park itself are four spectacular places to stay; three shepherd's huts and a unique, luxury, converted water tower, each providing the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area.

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'Cathedral' by Kevin Atherton

Inspiring awe and wonder since 1986, The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail offers over four miles of sculptures in the heart of England’s ancient woodland. Welcoming over 300,000 visitors every year, this woodland trail is free to visit and open daily. Offering a unique collection of world class, contemporary sculpture from artists at all stages in their careers, each piece stands within the woods, waiting to be discovered around the next bend.

Although there are footpaths and signposts, you will not find labels and information about the artworks. Instead, Forestry England invites guests to explore and interact with the individual sculptures in their own way. A great day out for the whole family, dogs are also welcome on the sculpture trail.

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This award winning, contemporary sculpture garden is located just a short drive from the busy streets of Edinburgh, but once inside, it feels like you’ve escaped to another world. Set over 100 acres of meadow, woodland and indoor gallery spaces, Jupiter Artland is home to a growing collection of permanent and site-specific outdoor sculpture. Exposed to the elements throughout the seasons, this living collection has been described as ‘an open-air laboratory; a place where new things come into dialogue with things that already exist.’ 

Founded in 2009 by philanthropist art collectors Robert and Nicky Wilson, Jupiter Artland has grown to become one of Scotland’s most significant arts organisations. But beyond its gallery status, it has both conservation and education at the heart of everything it does. With big plans to nurture the already verdant landscape, and its offering of free school visits throughout the year, it also celebrates the transformative power of art through its seasonal programme of carefully curated exhibitions and events. Spectacular come rain or shine, this garden of ideas is ever changing and evolving, offering so much to its visitors that it will see you returning again and again...

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Kimsooja, A Needle Woman, 2014. Photo © Jonty Wilde, courtesy YSP

An independent charitable trust and registered museum situated in the 500-acre Bretton Hall estate in West Yorkshire, this leading sculpture park has supported over 1,000 artists from more than 40 countries to exhibit their work over the last 45 years. A rarity in having the accommodation, workshops and expertise to give artists the space, time and support to think and to develop new ideas, this year-round exhibition space includes over 100 artworks and installations across its six galleries and vast open air spaces.

Enabling open access to art, Yorkshire Sculpture Park exists to nurture interest and debate around contemporary art and sculpture. Showcasing big names such as Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst alongside the talents of artists whose participation is not habitual or familiar, exhibitions encourage visitors to get up, close and personal with the pieces. The largest of its kind in Europe, this stunning sculpture park offers an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, some peace and quiet or somewhere outdoors for kids to adventure freely.

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One of Dorset’s best kept secrets, this perfectly curated oasis is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Nestled in 26 acres of glorious countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes showcases the work of renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon and more than twenty other sculptors throughout its spectacular gardens. Exploring the seamless symmetry between art, nature and relaxation, this truly unique outdoor venue is a place to experience how art and landscape can work seamlessly together.

Lakes, streams, meandering paths and plenty of places to sit, encourage guests to take their time, relax and fully absorb the uniqueness of their surroundings. A light-handed approach to gardening keeps impact on the natural environment to a minimum, resulting in an abundance of wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies, geese, birdlife and reptiles that can all be spotted along your journey through.

Along with their relaxed, cosy Makers Yard Kitchen serving home-grown produce that celebrates the seasons, and their on site emporium featuring hundreds of wonderful hand-crafted items from artists across Dorset, this sculpture park caters for everyone by bringing the very best of the county’s creative talents together, in one space.

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Images taken from the websites of the sculpture parks featured with permission.