Sculpture by the Lakes
Set in the quiet Dorset countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes is a place where art, landscape and stillness come together in an environment designed to be experienced as much as seen.
Set in the quiet Dorset countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes is a place where art, landscape and stillness come together in an environment designed to be experienced as much as seen.
Created by sculptor Simon Gudgeon and his wife Monique, the park unfolds across 26 acres of lakes, wildflower meadows and carefully composed planting. Meandering paths guide visitors through a landscape where sculpture and nature exist in quiet dialogue emerging from the water's edge, framed by trees, or revealed gradually along the contours of the garden.
At its heart, Sculpture by the Lakes is also a botanic garden, where planting is shaped not only for seasonal beauty but for conservation and habitat. The garden evolves throughout the year, as the different seasons and weather create an ever-changing environment which invites a slower pace and a deeper engagement with the natural world.
The art gallery which sits at the centre of this experience is an integral part of the park rather than a separate destination. A rotating programme of exhibitions, including the award-winning FORM sculpture show, is presented alongside a curated collection of smaller works, offering a more intimate encounter with material, form and craftsmanship.
The Makers Yard extends this experience, bringing together the gallery, a tempting store and a relaxed self-service pantry. Here, visitors can browse a selection of artworks and design-led objects by makers connected to the space, before pausing to enjoy simple, seasonal food, cakes and drinks, much of it drawn from the kitchen garden and prepared in tune with the seasons.
Together, the landscape, gallery and Makers Yard create a complete artistic journey moving between expansive and intimate, monumental and personal. The intention is not simply to present a collection of works, but to create a cohesive environment where art and nature enhance one another.
Throughout the year, Sculpture by the Lakes also offers a programme of sound baths, yoga Nidra and carefully designed retreats, extending the experience into the sensory and the restorative.
The guiding ethos is one of quiet consideration: to offer a place of beauty and calm where visitors can step away from the pace of everyday life, reconnect with nature and return to themselves.
Sculpture by the Lakes is an adult-focused environment designed to preserve a sense of tranquillity. Admission is therefore limited to visitors aged 14 and over.
Newt Members enjoy free entry to the gardens and gallery from Wednesday - Friday from 10-5pm Please note that children under the age of 14 are not permitted. Proof of a valid Newt membership will be required on entry.
www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
Address: Pallington Lakes, Dorchester DT2 8QU
Phone: 07720 637808