Sculpture by the Lakes

About the museum

Sculpture by the Lakes lies in the Frome valley at Pallington, near Dorchester. It was created by the sculptor Simon Gudgeon and his wife Monique, who is the Garden Director. They moved to the site in 2007 and set about turning former fishing lakes into a sculpture park set among lakes, streams, woodland and gardens.

The park now covers 26 acres and shows more than 120 works, mostly by Gudgeon and more than twenty other sculptors. It is also a plant collection: more than a thousand trees and shrubs are grown there, with a focus on threatened conifers, and it holds a national collection of forsythia. The garden is a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International and has been accredited as an arboretum.

At the entrance, The Makers Yard has a craft store with work by local artists, a self-service café that uses produce from the kitchen garden, and a gallery with changing exhibitions that is free to enter. The park itself requires a ticket. To keep it quiet and because of the deep water, children under 14 are not admitted. A studio on site is used by Gudgeon, and private hire spaces are available around the lakes.

Highlights

• More than 120 sculptures set in 26 acres of lakes, streams and gardens
• Work by Simon Gudgeon and more than twenty other sculptors
• Botanic garden with a collection of threatened conifers
• The Makers Yard with gallery, store and café (no ticket needed)
• Quiet visit: visitors must be 14 or over

Permanent exhibition

• The Sculpture Park – More than 120 sculptures placed across lakes, streams, woodland and gardens, mainly by Simon Gudgeon and over twenty other sculptors.

Operated by

Sculpture by the Lakes

Admission & discounts

The standard price shown is the April to October day ticket booked online. Tickets are only valid on the day of purchase, and booking in advance is recommended because availability on the day is not guaranteed. The Makers Yard and gallery are free to enter.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The sculpture park is fairly flat but uneven in places, with some grass paths that can be muddy. Wheelchairs can usually get round in dry weather, while mobility scooters with small wheels may struggle. An all-terrain lightweight wheelchair can be hired for £15 a day, and mobility scooters can be hired through a local company. Disabled parking is close to the café.

Kids & families

Not suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 14+

Children under 14 and babies are not admitted anywhere on site because of deep, fast-flowing water and to keep the setting calm.

Getting there & parking

The park is in the village of Pallington, one mile east of Tincleton, on the Ilsington road between the A35 at Dorchester and the B3990 Waddock Drove.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Pantry is a self-service café; The Store sells work by local makers. Afternoon tea can be pre-ordered with 72 hours' notice.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 10 guests.

Small private spaces around the lakes (for 4 to 10 people) can be hired in addition to the entry fee, including The Lakehouse, The Island, The Pavilion, The Hide and The River Keepers.

Plan your visit