The Surrey Sculpture Society has a new Sussex Sculpture Trail at Leonardslee Gardens near Horsham. It’s an ongoing trail that will run throughout the year with changing exhibits. And it’s now open.
The Surrey Sculpture Society
Despite their name, the Surrey Sculpture Society has artists from across the south east including Sussex. They are a self-funding group with about 250 members that include both emerging artists and well-known professionals, with a diverse range of styles and skills. They hold annual summer exhibitions at Standen House near East Grinstead and at Leonardslee. This new exhibition is a chance to see some of their work all year round.
The new Sussex sculpture trail
There are over 110 sculptures placed around the grounds at Leonardslee as part of this new trail. The works are incredibly diverse so there really is something for everyone. There is no official route map because the works will be constantly changing but there is an information hut (check at the ticket office because it is not always manned). Each sculpture is labeled with the name of the work and artist. I had a map of the grounds and asked them to roughly mark the route of the trail on it, and it was then fun spotting the different pieces.
The route is about three and a half kilometers and took me about an hour and a half but I was short of time so I’d allow at least two hours for stopping and pondering. There are some steep climbs but the track is reasonably well made up and accessible. The trail finishes in the main house where you might want to stop for afternoon tea. Alternatively, there is a coffee shop just outside. The Dolls House village next door is well worth a visit.
Anton Smit sculptures
In amongst the sculpture trail are works by Anton Smit, a South African sculptor. They have a permanent home at Leonardslee and add an extra dimension to this trail.
For lovers of art and the great outdoors, this Sussex sculpture trail is a great addition and well worth a visit.
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