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Dorchester’s sculpture park and botanic garden, Sculpture by the Lakes, hosts a brimming schedule of events this summer. The diverse programme explores a range of enriching events to suit different interests, including wellbeing experiences, creative showcases, and unique pop-up markets.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing experiences at Sculpture by the Lakes deliver a unique healing journey themed around restoration and rejuvenation. Each event offers a specific programme of holistic practices led by qualified practitioners, helping guests immerse themselves in tranquillity among Sculpture by the Lakes’ 26 acres of botanic beauty.
Relaxation Saturday – Saturday 28th June (10am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3.30pm) - £35 per person
A serene escape involving a Sound Bath designed to disperse stress and restore inner balance.
Lunar Retreats – Monday 7th July - £45 per person
Enchanting evenings celebrating the moon’s magic with a Cacao Ceremony, drum circle, and Sound Bath.
Rest, Relax, and Reset Retreat Day – Saturday 19th July - £135 per person
A full day renewal session for the mind and body, with SOMA Breathwork, a Cacao Ceremony, meditation, Yoga Nidra, and a Sound Bath.
Sculpture by the Lakes’ popular Sound Baths, priced at £30 per person, run regularly throughout the year, with afternoon and evening sessions available on selected dates.
Art
Plein Air Day – Friday 4th July – advance booking £15 per person for access to the sculpture park 10am-5pm
Sculpture by the Lakes is welcoming 100 artists through its gates for a special Plein Air Day in collaboration with Jackson’s Art Supplies on Friday 4th July.
The event invites artists of all skill levels to experience painting in the open air, sparking creativity from the great outdoors and promoting wellbeing as participants connect with nature. With easels and sketchbooks in hand, attendees can source inspiration from 26 acres of botanic garden intertwined with more than 100 sculptures by renowned artists.
Hosted by Lisa Takahashi, Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalist and materials specialist at Jackson’s Art Supplies, the event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of art, nature, and imagination.
Plein Air Day at Sculpture by the Lakes takes place across the park between 10am and 3.30pm on Friday 4th July, with the park remaining open until 5pm. The event is free for participants. Artists wishing to take part can register with Jackson’s here: https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-plein-air-day-sculpture-by-the-lakes. To see the artists at work, visitors can purchase entry for the sculpture park in advance for £15 or £16.50 on the door.
Gardening
Summer Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop – Saturday 2nd August - £65 per person
Led by John Cunningham, this session is an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to discover all the different aspects of summer fruit tree care. The workshop covers the correct tools and how to use them, with practical work on trees growing in the quarter acre Kitchen Garden at Sculpture by the Lakes.
Markets
Pop-Up Makers Yard Markets – the first Saturday of June, July & August - free to enter
Sculpture by the Lakes plays host to a series of vibrant one-day pop-up markets held within its picturesque Maker’s Yard this summer. Each free-to-enter market offers a unique theme, showcasing a diverse range of local traders and artisans.
Makers Yard Market: Gather and Grow – Saturday 7th June
A celebration of the natural world, the Gather and Grow market promises an immersion into the world of horticulture, featuring a diverse array of plant growers showcasing their botanical treasures. Visitors can also browse a tempting selection of artisan food products to create their own picnic at the park or take home, from locally sourced cheeses to delectable chutneys and preserves.
The Makers Yard Market: Creative Carnival - Saturday 5th July
Showcasing the talent of local artists and crafters, the Creative Carnival pop-up features a diverse range of innovative products and designs, from ceramics and jewellery to textiles and woodwork.
The Makers Yard Market: Mind Body and Soul - Saturday 2nd August
The Mind Body and Soul market focuses on holistic wellbeing and mindful living, offering a serene and enriching shopping experience dedicated to nurturing all aspects of self.
For more information and to discover all events at Sculpture by the Lakes, visit: https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/events/.
Ends
Sculpture by the Lakes is an idyllic retreat nestled within 26 acres of Dorset countryside. Sculpture by the Lakes, near Dorchester, is the only sculpture park in the world to be recognised as an accredited botanic garden.
Explore beautiful, landscaped gardens with a collection of more than 1,000 trees and shrubs, including many threatened species. The gardens are designed to celebrate the harmonious synergy between the beauty of nature and contemporary art, with more than 100 sculptures by leading artists on display.
The park is also home to a quarter-acre Kitchen Garden, growing an eclectic selection of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The garden’s ten vegetable beds, three salad beds, a herb garden, and fruit trees and shrubs provide produce for The Kitchen, the park’s onsite restaurant, serving up fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by the harvest.
The free-to-enter Maker’s Yard includes The Gallery featuring artwork from internationally acclaimed artists. The Store and The Pantry, offer hundreds of hand-crafted products, food, and drinks from artisan and independent producers.
Sculpture by the Lakes is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, between 10am and 5pm. Tickets cost £15 per adult when booked in advance, or £16.50 on the door for full-day access. Private venue hire and annual membership options are available, with members granted complimentary access to Sculpture by the Lakes’ partner gardens, including Borde Hill Garden in West Sussex.
For more information, visit https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk.