Discover art and nature this summer

Discover art and nature this summer at the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

If you are looking for places to visit in Gloucestershire this summer, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is an easy one to recommend.

The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

The popular Sculpture Trail is one of the more unusual attractions in the Forest of Dean. Founded in 1986, the trail currently brings together 18 contemporary artworks inspired by the Forest’s unique landscape and heritage.

Located at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean, the Sculpture Trail is free for everyone to visit and doesn’t require booking. The trail stretches for 7.7km (4.8 miles), with two shorter route options available, so whether you’re after a longer woodland walk or just a taste of the trail, you can choose a route that suits you.

Unlike a traditional gallery, there are no labels next to each sculpture. Instead, you’re invited to explore and interpret each sculpture in your own way, making it an interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

Highlights along the trail

With 18 sculptures to discover along the trail, there’s plenty of artworks to inspire and delight the entire family.

• The iconic Cathedral is the artwork that most people would recognise. Designed by Kevin Atherton, this sculpture has been a part of the trail since it first opened in 1986.
• The mirrored stainless-steel fungi of Julian Wild’s Gathering look particularly colourful in the summer sunshine.
• House, by Miles Davies, is a quirky little find. Make sure to stop and look at the peculiar stone piles nearby, which aren’t actually an artwork, but merely something that has come into existence.
• Created from steam bent oak, Kristina Veasey’s Meander offers visitors a place to rest and observe the beauty of the forest.

Perfect for summer days out

Summer is a great time to visit the Forest of Dean, when the woodland is full of colour, wildlife is most active and the tree canopy offers cooling shade on hotter days.

The brighter, sunnier days also bring out the best in each of the works along the Sculpture Trail. Because the artworks sit within the landscape, they change with the seasons. Some sculptures are slowly reclaimed by nature, meaning no two visits are ever quite the same.

What’s at Beechenhurst?

Beechenhurst is the perfect base for any visit to the Forest of Dean, with everything you need to turn a walk into a full day out.

Facilities include:

• On-site parking (charges apply – there are no charges for visitors arriving by public transport or bike)
• A welcoming cafe serving quality drinks, snacks and meals
• Toilets, including an accessible Changing Places facility
• Picnic areas and a large, open lawn space
• A large, imaginative play area
• Go Ape high ropes course
• Visitor information and maps

Good to know before you go

• Beechenhurst is open from 8am every day until dusk (9pm from 1 May to 31 August).
• The Sculpture Trail route includes slopes, uneven terrain and some narrow paths, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
• You can download the trail map ahead of your visit, or purchase a paper version on the day.
• Partially sighted visitors (or anyone else who'd like to hear the sculptures described) can download audio descriptions of the sculptures for free.
• Visitors with limited mobility can hire an all-terrain mobility scooter at Beechenhurst.
• Dogs are welcome, making it a great choice for a day out with the whole household.

Plan your visit

The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail offers something truly different – a chance to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and discover art in unexpected places.

This summer, why not come and experience it for yourself? Start your journey at Beechenhurst and see what you can find among the trees.

Photo credits: Forestry England/Crown copyright