Sculptures and trails project

Thank You for supporting the new Sculpture Trail

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, alongside funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, we have successfully exceeded the £33,000 goal needed to create a brand-new sculpture trail.

Inspired by the beloved children’s books Brambly Hedge this collection of 17 wooden sculptures will bring a new layer of storytelling and discovery to the Forest. Written in the 1980s by local artist and author, Jill Barklem, who lived in the Epping Forest area. The Brambly Hedge books are based on the hedgerows and trees found in the Forest.

Your support has helped us to

• Commission and install the first five wooden sculptures, now in place near the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford.
• Refurbish the existing deer sculptures, applying new finishes to help them last longer and continue to be enjoyed.
• Continue the tradition of woodland-themed sculptures around the Visitor Centre, creating a new experience for visitors to enjoy.

In addition, thanks to funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, via Epping Forest District Council, we are also able to:

• Install 12 further sculptures around Connaught Water, completing the full Epping Forest Brambly Hedge Trail.
• Improve accessibility by including braille nameplates and sensory panels on each sculpture.
• Support the creation of a new surfaced path, Gloucester Ride, linking the Visitor Centre to Connaught Water and making the full trail easier to access.

The remaining 12 sculptures will be installed in the spring, and the full trail will officially launch this summer once work on Gloucester Ride is complete.

How did we decide on the Brambly Hedge Trail?

When we launched our campaign, we set out to:

✔️ Reflect the spirit of Epping Forest – We have brought the beloved Brambly Hedge mice sculptures to the Forest, inspired by the landscapes that originally shaped Jill Barklem’s stories.

✔️ Provide a fun and educational way for children to explore Epping Forest – Each sculpture features braille nameplates and sensory panels made from natural materials, offering an interactive experience for all visitors.

✔️ Use materials that are environmentally friendly while complementing the Forest – Every sculpture is hand-carved from sustainably sourced wood, ensuring they will blend with the ancient woodland surroundings.

✔️ Continue to offer a great space for families to make lasting memories – Alongside the new sculptures, we have refurbished the much-loved deer sculptures, preserving them for future generations to enjoy.

This project is part of a wider commitment to delivering 100 projects aligned with our charitable objectives under the Epping Forest Management Strategy 2020–2030. This project was shaped by feedback from the Epping Forest Consultative Group, where it emerged as one of the most popular proposals and we are delighted that with your generous support we have been able to deliver it.

A heartfelt thank you

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated to this campaign. Your support has helped ensure that the tradition of woodland sculptures at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre continues for generations to come.

What’s next?

The fundraising campaign is now complete. If you’d like to follow the progress of the Epping Forest Brambly Hedge Trail, and keep updated about the official launch of this exciting new Trail, please visit our dedicated Brambly Hedge Trail page [link] or sign up for our free newsletter, Forest Focus [link].

Epping Forest is a registered charity (number 232990). Your support is crucial to supporting the our work to protect and preserve the Forest.