The Sculpture Park at Farnham, Surrey, is the perfect place to go if you want to see art in a beautiful natural setting. Hidden amongst ten acres of woodland, waterfalls, streams and leafy trails there are approximately 650 sculptures exhibited.
This is a truly magical place to get lost in. It is also really unique in that nearly all the sculptures you see as you walk around the park are for sale or even for hire. They also offer free delivery.
On arrival at the reception (next to a beautiful dovecote full of its white feathered residents) you are given a map which has an easy to navigate color-coded route covering over two miles.
You can admire the art at your own pace, spend the suggested minimum of 2 hours or a full day exploring. We visited on a hot sunbaked Saturday morning and found a cool shady refuge under the trees.
The sculptures are interesting, enchanting and beautiful all at once. Stone, slate, steel, bronze, marble, glass, copper and wood materials are all used.
They are displayed in no particular order which I found delightful, as you are discovering surprises at every turn.
More than 250 sculptors display here, and it is in fact the largest exhibition in the UK.
Each sculpture has a QR code attached which is handy for reading more about the artist and the price attached as all the art is for sale (when will those lottery numbers come up)!
There is a wide selection of contemporary, modern and 20th century sculptures. You will find everything from animals and figurative, to kinetic, nude and abstract.
My favorite sculptures were by the Iranian artist Ferri Farahmandi. She is particularly drawn to the human form and her work examines how society restricts our lives, demonstrating the boundaries to our freedom.
Ferri explores this through the female form which I found captivating and poignant.
I also enjoyed the gothic folly next to a refreshing stream. With its delicious historic atmosphere, it is a wonderful place to stop and breathe it all in.
In the center of the woodland is a tranquil lake full of wildlife which is a real oasis of calm.
There is no café on site, but you can find many peaceful spots to have a picnic – we ate our lunch in a wooden Thai hut.
Alternatively, there is a cute country pub opposite called “The Bel and Dragon” to have lunch or coffee & cake to refuel.
Also, there is handy information on facilities and accessibility.
If you are planning a trip to near Farnham in the Surrey Hills this is a must do experience. This place has great appeal to nature enthusiasts, photographers and art lovers alike.
The address of the Sculpture Park is:
Corner of Jumps and Tilford Road,
Churt, Nr Farnham
Surrey
GU10 2LB
The Park is open all year Monday to Sunday 10am-5pm. There is parking available, and tickets are limited so to get a chance to experience the sculpture park, tickets need to be pre-booked on the website where you will find a price list and directions.
It is also a good family day out and yes it is even dog friendly. I will most definitely be returning during a different season perhaps during the burnished colours of autumn.
This is the beauty of nature, an ever-changing landscape, which makes a perfect backdrop to exhibit these amazing pieces of art.
