I saw this recommendation on the Guardian web site sent in by a reader who’d visited Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, which they describe as having varied walks with a nice sculpture trail.
Having lived in Cumbria for about 35 years, I do have to confess to never actually having been to Grizedale Forest, but if you think this is simply a bunch of trees and have visions of hacking your way through Indiana Jones style….you might be pleasantly surprised.
The Forestry Commission who own the forest have spent many years putting in trails alongside those which naturally existed so there are a wealth of both ancient meandering trails and more modern signposted ones depending how you like to talk your walks, and maybe if you’ve got kids in tow.
One thing that makes this forest rather special is the 100 or so sculptures which are scattered throughout the trails. These are not a recent addition or a temporary exhibition as you find in so many places, but a naturally evolving collection of sculptures – many very large – which watch over the forest and it’s visitors. There are wooden and metal sculptures, some that look old and some modern art style, but all integrate with the theme of the forest.
The trails are all explained at the Grizedale Visitor Centre near Hawkshead in the central Lake District.
Grizedale Links:
Visitor attractions around Grizedale Forest
Hotels and B&Bs in Coniston (near Grizedale)
Campsites in Cumbria
Self-catering cottages in Hawkshead
