From life-sized elephants to figures hanging from the trees above you, England's sculpture parks and trails make for an enlightening winter walk. Here are 10 of the bestThe vast number of sculpture parks and trails around England seems to be one of the nation's best-kept secrets. Scattered across the country, they offer a wide variety of artworks to be enjoyed outdoors and the general ambience and landscape of each is uniquely different. They are also a great way to encourage the enjoyment of art for children who might otherwise rebel at being taken to a gallery. Best of all, many are free. The ones selected here remain open all year so you can enjoy them with the end of the autumn colours, and even in the snow.Yorkshire Sculpture ParkIs this the best sculpture park in England? Probably. The park has pieces by many internationally famous artists, including Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Antony Gormley. A huge variety of work is permanently scattered throughout the grounds, while exhibitions in the galleries also spill out into the landscape (currently David Nash until the end of February). It gives a perfect overview of British sculpture in the 20th century and is set in lovely scenery with sweeping views towards the lake and sheep grazing around the plinths of huge Henry Moore sculptures. Seeing everything is exhausting (allow at least five hours), especially if you walk to the Longside Gallery, but be sure to spare time for Skyspace by James Turrell, a hidden chamber with an Egyptian feel. Details West Bretton, Wakefield, 01924 832 631; ysp.co.uk. Opening times: grounds and centre, all year, 10am-6pm (Longside gallery 11am-4pm). Admission free (donations only), car parking �4. Facilities: toilets, cafe, shop, galleries.New Art Centre, WiltshireAn impressive list of artists have shown their work here over the past 17 years including William Turnbull, Antony Gormley, Richard Deacon and Anthony Caro. There are also always a few pieces by Barbara Hepworth on display, but most of her work is only here temporarily, usually for several months. The sculptures are shown in beautiful grounds (allow about an hour and a half to see everything). The map leads you through the carefully planted gardens, over a stile and down to the bottom of a big field (Barry Flanagan's Acrobats is permanent and worth the walk), and then back by a small wooded area. The house is sometimes shut, but maps are left on the shelf on the porch.Details Roche Court, East Winterslow, Salisbury, Wiltshire, 01980 862 244; sculpture.uk.com. Open daily all year, 11am-4pm. Admission free (donations welcome).Kielder Water and Forest Park, NorthumberlandSome 22 sculptures are scattered along a 27-mile forest trail around a lake ? and are best seen by those who love walking. Fortunately, the sculptures are often grouped together so, using your map, choose a few, drive to the nearest car park and walk from there. With kids, visit the Minotaur Maze, the Play Garden or the sculpture trail called the Kielder Keepsake. You can buy a Keepsake pack from one of the visitor centres (�4.99) and follow the trail to find 12 brass plates. Make a rubbing of each one to produce your own souvenir book. The trail is only two miles but can take hours to complete as you have to hunt for the plates. Other sculptures worth a hike for are Belvedere, Skyspace by James Turrell or, on a sunny day, Mirage (silver discs hanging from a tree) and Wave Chamber (a huge stone camera obscura).Details Kielder, Northumberland, 01434 220 616; visitkielder.com/site/things-to-do/art-and-architecture. Leaplish visitor centre is open daily Feb-Dec, 01434 251 000. Kielder Castle visitor centre open Nov-Dec, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm, then Apr-Nov, daily 10am-5pm. Tower Knowe visitor centre open Jan-Oct, daily 10am-4pm. Admission free; car parking �3, which covers any of the car parks.Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, CheshireThis crumbling monastery is a well-hidden retreat from the modern world. The sculpture does vary in quality, but the gardens are gorgeous, with little bridges over the stream, grassy areas by the river and part of the grounds are covered by woodland. The trail is an on-going project which has been some 20 years in the making, and is set in 38 acres. Allow about two hours plus to see all the sculptures, about four of which are in the walled garden. Be sure to see Kitty's Gate, inspired by a story about a maid who drowned herself in the pond. Most of the other sculptures are very colourful, such as Planthead by Diane Gorvin in the rhododendron bushes, her face framed by sculpted and natural leaves.Details Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, 01928 569 895; nortonpriory.org. Admission: adults �6.25, children �4.40, under-5s free. Family �15.25. Open daily in winter, 10am-4pm (walled garden shut), and summer, 10am-5pm. Shut: 24-26 Dec and the first two weeks of Jan. Facilities: toilets, cafe.Burghley House and Gardens, LincolnshireThe sculpture garden is separate from the Garden of Surprises, which is in a smaller courtyard and has lots of exciting water features. The sculpture garden is spread throughout the original gardens of the house. The sculptures are carefully sited to make the most of the beautiful lake, old open-air theatre and grounds. There are about 20 permanent pieces and the walk takes about an hour and a half. From April to October there is also a temporary exhibition. Be sure to see Balance by Sophie Dickens, three life-size figures balancing above you on the branch of a tree ? easy to miss among the leaves in spring. Vertical Face is a giant rust-coloured face made from small pieces of steel that has great presence and drama.Details Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 01780 752451; burghley.co.uk. Open (gardens only) 11am-5pm daily. Admission free in winter. From 20 Mar-31 Oct, �6.70 adults, �3.40 children (includes Garden of Surprises). Facilities: toilets, garden cafe (11am-5pm in season).Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, GloucestershireThis is one of the oldest trails in England which is befitting of an ancient royal forest. The trail is 3.5 miles long and begins at Beechenhurst Lodge. It follows a circular path that starts with the enormous and iconic Place, a giant chair. Do not be tempted to stray too far from the signposted path as the forest is huge. The trail takes up to three hours, with about 20 sculptures along the way. The map helps you find the larger sculptures which are hidden just off the path. These sculptures are all permanent and some are a little worn. Be sure not to miss Cathedral, a giant stained-glass window suspended in the trees, David Nash's Fire and Water Boats, and the tall and skinny House by Miles Davies.Details Beechenhurst Lodge, Coleford, Gloucestershire, 01594 822 612; forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk. Open daily Nov-Mar, 10am-4pm, Easter-Oct, 10am-6pm. Shut Christmas Day. Admission free, car parking �3, map �1.25. Facilities: cafe, toilets, shop.The Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park, SurreyThis park is opposite a very nice pub, also called the Pride of the Valley, which means you can easily include lunch in your visit. The park has an enormous number of sculptures (at the moment there are more than 180, including Rolling Horse by Lucy Kinsella, Speed Skaters by Michael Marriott and Adolph Hitler or Mother Theresa by Wilfred Pritchard) squeezed into a small area. It has a varied landscape, with a lake, woodland areas and intimate clearings. Start from the office which is inside the actual park. There are several routes, the longest being about a mile and a half which will take most people up to two hours to complete. Some areas of the gardens look a little unkempt, but there is an amazing and eclectic mix of sculptures to see at every turn, including some life-size circus elephants.Details Jumps Road, Farnham, Surrey, 01428 605 453; thesculpturepark.com. Open daily apart from Christmas Day. Admission: adults �6, children �3, under-5s free.Another Place, Crosby Beach, MerseysideAnother Place is an installation of life-size figures by Antony Gormley. About 100 cast-iron figures which gaze out to sea are scattered along a mile of beach. Are they watching the horizon for the arrival of something? Or quietly trying to leave? If you want to get up close you'll need wellies unless you get lucky with the tide (officially you are advised to stay back). Gradually the figures are changing ? their varying encasement in barnacles and seaweed only adds to their beauty as they are gradually claimed by the sea.Details Off the A565, follow signs to Crosby beach or Another Place. Nearest rail stations are Blundellsands or Hall Road, and then a 10-minute walk. Detailed directions can be found at tiny.cc/pi35t. Facilities: toilets and seasonal mobile catering.Grizedale Forest Park, CumbriaGrizedale boasts about 80 sculptures, spread out over 6,000 acres, making it impossible to see everything in one visit. Some of the work has softened with time (a few pieces have been here for 26 years) and almost disappeared into the forest ? you often have to venture into the trees to find things. Some pieces have benefitted from the weathering process, such as Some Fern by Kerry Morrison, an enormous fern-like carving that has blended into the bracken around it. A map is essential and shows a variety of trails graded by length and difficulty ? from the shortest with the most sculptures (one mile) to the longest of 9.5 miles.Details Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, 01229 860 010; forestry.gov.uk/grizedale. Open daily in winter, 10am-4pm (shut 23 Dec-2 Jan), and in summer 10am-5pm. Admission free, car parking �3, map �1.50 or catalogue �3.95. Facilities: toilets, cafe, shop.Broomhill Art Hotel and Sculpture Garden, DevonThe sculpture garden is attached to the hotel so combine your visit with lunch, a cream tea, or an overnight stay. The gardens have 300 sculptures set in 10 acres of land. The hotel is at the top of a steep hill and the paths wind down through various levels of woodland to the peaceful river below. The sculpture is from a wide spectrum of artists ? more than 60 sculptors in all ? with many bronzes and figurative works. The top terrace is the most open and flat area, with many small sculptures dotted throughout. The lower levels feature the larger and more dramatic pieces.Details Muddiford Road, Barnstaple, North Devon, 01271 850 262; broomhillart.co.uk. Open daily, 11am-4pm, shut 20 Dec -15 Jan. Admission: adults �4.50, children �2.50, family �10. Facilities: toilets, restaurant, indoor gallery and hotel.? Sculpture Parks and Trails of England by Alison Stace is published by A&C Black, price �15.99. Buy it from the Guardian BookshopUnited KingdomDay tripsFamily holidaysYorkshireSculptureArtguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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