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About Us
Established in 1986, this 4.5 mile long Sculpture Trail was one of the first to open in the UK. The Trail features sculptures created by artists to interpret the Forest environment and the history of this very unusual landscape. It provides a unique opportunity to walk through the woodlands and discover art along the way. Perfect for all ages and abilities, you don't need to know about art to enjoy what you see.
Highlights on the trail include Cathedral, a 15ft high stained glass window suspended from the tree canopy enabling visitors to walk underneath, and Iron Road, twenty sleepers on a former railway line carved with images of the Forest.
The sculptures are installed within the woodland to encourage you to seek them out. The posts with purple markers will direct you. If you want to make life easier for yourself you can buy a map at Beechenhurst Lodge.
Launching July 2021: To celebrate the trail's 35th anniversary nine new sculptures have been installed, eight of which are on a temporary trail beginning at Beechenhurst available for the next four months. Encouraging visitors to reconnect with nature, sculptures include ‘Tree Hug’ by Monsieur Plant, which pays tribute to the benefits of trees by inviting visitors to give them a hug; ‘Animal Shelter’ by Michelle Cain, which takes the form of a badger, one of the Forest’s natural residents; and ‘Shovel Bugs’ from Atelier LandArt, which uses repurposed garden trowels to showcase the often-overlooked bug life on the forest floor. The temporary trail covers a short section so it is easier for little explorers to enjoy. Find out more about the temporary trail and download a map on the Sculpture Trail's website here.
The sculptures are commissioned by The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust, a charitable organisation, working closely with Forestry England. The Trust relies entirely on fundraising in order to commission the sculptures for the Trail. With the 30th anniversary of the trail in 2016 funding was obtained for new sculptures to be installed. To make a donation to support artworks on the Trail or to find out more about future plans visit: www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk. Just as new sculptures are installed, old ones decay and are removed; this was always part of the original concept, just as the forest continually decays and is refreshed.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail and will come again to see the new sculptures and to take part in events at Beechenhurst Lodge.
- Free entry but there is a parking charge at Beechenhurst and maps can be purchased for £1
- Open all the time
- Walk Route: Follow trailmarkers with purple arrows
- Location: Grid Ref SO6112, Post Code GL16 7EG
- Duration: 1.5 hours+
- Distance: 4.5 miles
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Facilities
Booking & Payment Details
- Free Entry
Catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Children welcome
Parking
- Parking with charge
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
- Public toilets
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
Opening Times
* Access to the Sculpture Trail is available all year round, from dawn to dusk. Please check Beechenhurst Lodge information for cafe and shop opening times.
