13+ of the Best Sculpture Trails and Gardens Around the UK 2024
Whether you’re visiting a sculpture garden or a sculpture trail, you’re bound to have a great time. You’ll be able to explore new cities, escape into the quiet and, most importantly, appreciate fine art.
There are two types of sculpture trails – permanent and temporary. A permanent trail, or often a sculpture garden/park, is one which has been around for a long time. Temporary sculpture trails are only around for a short period, so make sure you don’t miss them!
We’ve listed some brilliant sculpture gardens and parks in the UK as well as upcoming temporary sculpture trails near you, that you don't want to miss.
- Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust, Gloucestershire
- Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire
- Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester
- Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, Cornwall
- The Sculpture Park, Surrey
- Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park, Norwich
- Kielder Art and Architecture Trail, Northumberland
- British Ironworks Sculpture Centre, Shropshire
- Irwell Sculpture Trail, Greater Manchester
- Fforest Fawr Sculpture Trail, Cardiff
- Grizedale Sculpture, Cumbria
- Broomhill Sculpture Garden, Devon
The Forest of Dean is home to one of the UK’s oldest sculpture trail which is a collaboration between the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust and Forestry England.. As the forest has a fascinating history, artists aim to portray that through the unique sculptures created for this site.
Nearest campsite: Hereford Club Site.
Click here to find more campsites near the Forest of Dean.
With dramatic landscapes and stunning plants providing a beautiful background for majestic art sculptures, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens is a great place to visit for those who want a quiet escape. Internationally renowned artists have worked with this landscape to create sculptures specific to Tremenheere. Not only can you see the sculpture garden and gallery, but you can also attend their events that run throughout the year.
Nearest campsite: Sennen Cove Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Cornwall.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculptures in the UK. With numerous exhibitions and events taking place all around the year, you’ll be sure to stumble upon something magnificent when visiting.
Nearest campsite: Crowden Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Yorkshire.
With over 26 acres of picturesque countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes is a beautifully crafted haven for all visitors to explore. The seamless symmetry between art and nature floods through the grounds and creates a relaxing atmosphere for all.
Renowned contemporary sculptor Simon Gudgeon, and phenomenal gardener Monique Gudgeon, have worked alongside their team to create a tranquil environment where you can switch off and immerse yourself in art and nature.
Nearest campsite: Moreton Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Dorset.
In 1949, Barbara Hepworth created a studio and sculpture garden in St Ives, Cornwall. Here she lived and worked for the rest of her life. There are over 30 sculptures to see and a breathtaking garden to picture. Most of the artwork is positioned in the sculpture garden by the artist herself, and she has also laid out the garden with the help of a friend, Priaulx Rainier.
Nearest campsite: Sennen Cove Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Cornwall.
The Sculpture Park works with over 300 renowned and emerging artists and showcases over 650 modern and contemporary sculptures. While visiting, you can walk the 2-mile-long outdoor woodland sculpture trail or view the on-site indoor gallery.
Although The Sculpture Park has many fixed art pieces that can be seen all year round, they also sell many sculptures to the public.
Nearest campsite: Graffham Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Surrey.
A noteworthy sculpture park in Norwich is set within 350 acres of parkland, featuring outstanding architecture and beautiful greenery. Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park includes great work by famous artists, including Henry Moore, Elisabeth Frink, Lynn Chadwick, Liliane Lijn and Antony Gormley.
Whilst observing the amazing sculptures, keep an eye out for wild rabbits playing in the grass. Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park is home to these stunning creatures, alongside other rare and endangered species.
Nearest campsite: Norwich Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Norwich.
A great sculpture trail for keen walkers and young visitors is the Kielder Art and Architecture trail. It consists of 22 large-scale sculptures and interactive installations. Visitors can walk through the 27-mile forest trail around Northumberland’s Kielder Reservoir, take in the beautiful scenery and spot some incredible art.
Nearest campsite: Bellingham Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Northumberland.
With over 100 metalwork pieces to discover, including the famous Knife Angel, the British Ironworks Sculpture Centre has so much to see. You can bring your four-legged friends along with you, take the kids on an educational extinction trail and tour around the park, have a go at some archery, spot unique plants and wildlife or enjoy an afternoon tea with a beautiful view.
Nearest campsite: Ebury Hill Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Shropshire.
As the largest sculpture trail in the UK, Irwell Sculpture Trail extends over 33 miles through Salford, Bury and Rossendale. It features over 70 artworks by locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists and the trail links to many cultural attractions, from art galleries and museums to the East Lancashire Railway.
You don’t have to do the whole 33 miles in one day. The trail can be broken up into sections, leaving you with more time to explore each area. You’re able to walk or cycle through this sculpture trail, and it’s dog friendly, so you can spot great artwork whilst walking your dog.
Nearest campsite: Crowden Club Site.
Click here for more campsites near Irwell Sculpture Trail.
The Fforest Fawr Sculpture Trail is a brilliant day out for those nearby. It was created by award-winning chainsaw artist Simon O’Rourke and commissioned by Natural Resources Wales. All ten sculptures are carved from the same giant redwood tree cut down in Oswestry as it was dying and posed a threat to the public.
Simon has created spectacular woodland animals from the redwood tree and based them on the creatures that once lived in the forest. When visiting, you can read more about the history of the forest and its magnificent wildlife.
Nearest campsite: Rhandirmwyn Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Wales.
A great way to explore more of Grizedale Forest is by finding the stunning sculptures hidden within. Whether you choose to walk or cycle, you’ll be able to see over 40 phenomenal sculptures and learn more about each one, the artists who made them and what inspired their creations.
Nearest campsite: Bowness on Windermere Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Cumbria.
With over 150 sculptures, Broomhill Sculpture Garden consists of two main exhibits. The first sculpture garden is a mixture of permanent installations alongside sculptures available for sale. The second exhibit sits in the lower river meadows and showcases The National Sculpture Prize.
Nearest campsite: Lynton Club Site.
Click here for more campsites in Devon.
Temporary sculpture trails for 2023/24 and beyond
Here is a list of upcoming temporary sculpture trails in the UK. See if you can find a trail near you or visit one of our local campsites and explore the city whilst keeping an eye out for each work of art.
Sculpture In The City | 22 June 2022 to mid-April 2023
Sculpture in the City is an annual sculpture park in the City of London’s financial district. Using this online map or picking up a leaflet from St Paul's Cathedral, you can explore the city and find the 20 pieces of art scattered around.
Find campsites in London here.
The Big Hop Trail | July to September 2023
Clan Cancer Support has partnered with Wild in Art to bring an exciting new art trail to northeast Scotland and the nearby islands. The Big Hop Trail will take visitors on a cultural tour where they can find sculptures of hares designed and created by the country’s most talented artists.
Find campsites in Scotland here.
Leeds Bear Hunt | 01 July to 28 September 2023
A brilliant sculpture trail for the kids put on by Leeds Hospitals Charity is Leeds Bear Hunt. Over 50 giant bear sculptures have been decorated by local, national and international artists and will be hidden in plain sight all around Leeds. The family-friendly sculpture trail will bring to life Michael Rosen’s famous ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ book.
Find campsites in Yorkshire here.
Herd In The City | 14 July to 4 September 2023
After a successful sculpture trail in 2021, Havens Hospices are bringing a phenomenal sculpture trail into the City of Southend. With over 45 decorated elephants scattered around the city, the aim of Herd In The City is to get visitors exploring Southend-on-Sea whilst supporting a great cause.
Find campsites in Essex here.
The Big Dog Art Trail | 15 July to 03 September 2023
Over 30 large balloon dog sculptures, aka the Swindogs, will be unleashed across Swindon this summer. The Big Dog Art sculpture trail will be the UK’s first-ever balloon dog art trail. Participants will be able to find Swindogs and pups scattered around the city, all designed in a unique way.
Find campsites near Wiltshire here.
Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne | 19 July to 27 September 2023
A British classic, Shaun the Sheep, will be brought to life, and 50 sculptures will be placed all around Newcastle this summer. They’ll also be smaller ‘Little Shaun’ sculptures painted by schools which can be spotted on the trail.
Find campsites in Northumberland here.
Scenes in the Square | Ongoing
Scenes in the Square is a great sculpture trail for movie fanatics. It sits in Leicester Square and consists of 10 statues dotted around. Whether you want to sit on a bench and split a sandwich with Paddington Bear or fight crime with Wonder Woman, you can see some brilliant movie sculptures in England’s capital.
Find campsites in London here.
Castle in the Sky | July to September 2024
In the summer of 2024, castle sculptures of all sizes, individually designed by a Welsh artist, will flood the streets and parks of Swansea. Castle in the Sky has put on this sculpture trail so explorers can find each castle, using a bespoke map, whilst discovering Swansea’s hidden gems.
Find campsites in Swansea here.
March of the Elephants | 1 July to 8 September 2024
March of the Elephants is a sculpture trail coming to the Midlands. During the summer, streets and parks in Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield will be home to vibrant and uniquely designed elephant sculptures. These designs are by local, regional and national artists who are well-known and up-and-coming.
Find campsites near Litchfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield here.
We love seeing what our campers get up to. If you’ve enjoyed these sculpture trails or gardens, share your adventure with us via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. You can also find more campsites near these trails here.