DAYSOUT
The Great ARTdoors : Kent ’ s Sculpture Trail cont ...
Free , open to all and with options to explore on foot , two wheels or even horseback , the trail , a joint venture led by Kent Downs Natural Landscape ( formally Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty / AONB ) in partnership with Surrey Hills Arts and completed in 2023 , is designed so that it can be undertaken in sections , although die hard ramblers can of course tackle miles at a time !
Reflecting the unique characteristics of its locations , incorporating sustainability through the use of local materials like apple crates and coppiced wood , and linking to local stories , poems and designs from the surrounding communities , here are the Kentish sculptures to explore this year .
COPPICE ORATORY BY TCHONOVA + LA ROI , GODMERSHAM
This four-metre-high wooden sculpture is a key lookout point on the North Downs Way , a space for reflection for modern-day pilgrims travelling along the route through King ’ s Wood , near Canterbury and Ashford . Positioned in the 1,450-acre King ’ s Wood above Godmersham at the point where Canterbury Cathedral becomes visible to walkers , the sculpture , made from coppiced chestnut directly from the forest woodland , faces towards the famous World Heritage Site and the first cathedral in the UK , both just seven miles away in the distance . The intimate and accessible oratory is an inclusive space open to everyone and offers a place for reflection and rest along the trail .
HOW TO GET THERE : Section : 10 - Wye to Chilham Nearest postcode : Mountain St ( nearest sculpture ) CT4 8DG or Taylors Hill , Chilham Village CT4 8BZ What3words : grades . heats . masks Where to start ? Mountain St Car Park , Chilham , Chilham Village , Chilham station or Wye What to expect : Forests , historic towns and pretty hamlets Full Route : This sculpture is on section 10 of the North Downs Way from Wye to Chilham , 7.2 miles ( 11.6km )
In a hurry ? It ’ s just 2.1 miles from Chilham station or park at Mountain Street Car Park and walk the mile to the sculpture following the North Downs Way through King ’ s Wood .
Time to explore ? On this stage of the North Downs Way you ’ ll witness the first sighting of Canterbury Cathedral , a welcome sight for all walkers . If you visit in spring , you ’ ll see the stunning displays of bluebells . During autumn , the woodland glows vibrant orange , bronze and yellow as the beech tree leaves change colour .
MAKE A DAY OF IT : Eat & Drink : The Church Mouse Tea Rooms offers delicious homemade scones and cakes ; The White Horse and The Woolpack country inn offer great local pub / bistro menus ; and the new Tudor Peacock tasting room offers an abundance of Kentish wines to taste - all conveniently located in Chilham . Explore : Godmersham village and park , visited by Jane Austen , Eastwell Lake and the quaint village of Chilham . Travelling with mini-explorers ? Go wildlife spotting ! Seek out the forest ’ s large freeroaming fallow deer and stop by Badgers Hill Farm & Cidery to meet the animals , play in the adventure playground and refuel at the on-site cafe .
FEEL OUR VOICE BY KEZIA COLE , CHILHAM
Starting from the artist ’ s own short pilgrimage to the site , exploring the walk through psychogeographical techniques to map the sensory journey , Kezia explored how visitors experience rest and contemplation . Her bench was made from laser-cut / CNC-router-cut slices of wood from recycled apple crates from local Rickard ’ s farm that formed the ‘ ribs ’ of the work , which were then slid onto a spine to hold the sectioned pieces together .
The parametric design enables light to filter through the piece and creates a visual ripple as the visitor walks past , ensuring the work sits within and gently interacts with the view itself . The contours of the bench mirror words spoken by local people , words that they would say to someone sitting on the bench while looking at the panoramic view of farmland , orchards , farmhouses and oast houses , fruit crops , hop bines and the Stour Valley .
HOW TO GET THERE : Section : 11 – Chilham to Canterbury Nearest postcode : CT4 8BA What3words : oval . rhino . inches Where to start ? Chilham Village or Chartham What to expect : Picture postcard rural Kent . Orchards and farmhouses , hop bines and oast houses with views across the Stour Valley as you head towards Canterbury Full route : This sculpture is on section 11 of the North Downs Way from Chilham to Canterbury 7.2 miles ( 11.6km )
In a hurry ? Chilham Station is 1.9 miles away and Selling Station is 2 miles away .
Time to explore ? Head to Canterbury and enjoy a historic narrated boat tour of the city , explore the villages of Chartham and Chilham , or cycle / walk along the Great Stour River on the Stour Valley Way .
MAKE A DAY OF IT : Eat & Drink : The Artichoke in Chartham serves classic pub food in a cosy inn setting . Explore : The wealth of woodland including Blean Woods National Nature Reserve , now home to Canterbury ’ s famous bison , Perry Wood - take the trail to the Pulpitt for the best views - and go deeper into the ancient forest of King ’ s Wood . Travelling with mini-explorers ? Search out some leaves in the woods and try leaf printing , a simple splatter of paint and you can turn a leaf into a beautiful piece of art .
SEDILE FRANCIGENA BY POLYSEMIC ! WOMENSWOLD
Located on the Via Francigena , Sedile Francigena is an incredible piece of engineering and a beautiful work of art , which in Latin translates to seat or bench . The base is created from local materials , lime mortar , stone and flints from houses and churches , with the top originally being made from a high-tech precision-cut paper product .
It differs from the other sculptures in that it is not specific to the location where it is installed and tells the story of the entire route , across the English Channel to different countries , with hugely fluctuating topography and landscape . It makes you consider the enormity of the journey and the potential for adventure and learning on the way . It is also a very visual and tactile piece – it draws you in to touch , sit on and take in the views across Barham Downs .
HOW TO GET THERE : Section 12 : Canterbury to Shepherdswell Nearest postcode : CT4 6HJ What3words : blurs . expose . improving Where to start ? Canterbury Cathedral What to expect : Open fields and woodland . Undulating with no big slopes Full route : This sculpture is on section 12 of the North Downs Way from Canterbury to Shepherdswell 10.5 miles ( 16.8km )
In a hurry ? Nearest train station is Adisham , which is 2.5 miles away . Bekesbourne and Snowdown stations are also nearby .
Time to explore ? Stroll around the quiet village of Adisham on the edge of the old coal mining area of East Kent . Which joins the North Downs Way for a short section by following little used footpaths and bridleways where you can discover some interesting woodland sections . Good views of Barham Downs open up north eastwards to the coast as you return to the village .
MAKE A DAY OF IT : Eat & Drink : Award-winning THE PIG at Bridge Place offers both rustic outdoor cookery in the garden kitchen and an acclaimed 25-mile menu in its farmhousestyle restaurant . Explore : Simpsons Wine Estates , Bridge Village and the East Kent Railway Visitor Centre . Travelling with mini-explorers ? Quiz your kids – how long is the Via Francigena and where does it finish ?
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