Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Rugged sculpture garden at the edge of the mountains.

from 520 Google reviews

1 of 8

About the garden

Located between two worlds, here the manicured suburbs of Stellenbosch meet a rugged mountain wilderness - the realm of leopards and eagles. In this garden of private myth, Dylan Lewis explores the Jungian notion of 'the wilderness within' through sculpture and landscape design. More than sixty sculptures constituting a comprehensive record of Dylan's artistic development thus far have been carefully sited along three kilometres of paths.

The garden project began serendipitously in 2009 when Dylan hired an excavator on a whim and began shaping the contours of what would become the seven-hectare sculpture garden. During initial earthworks, the artist shaped a disused tract of flat farmland into dynamic hills, valleys and water features. In fact, the garden could be considered his largest sculpture to date.

Amid tranquil groves and lush indigenous vegetation, sculptures have been placed in harmony with the landscape. The garden focuses on indigenous species, particularly fynbos, and although planted to give year-round colour, it peaks in July and August into September, when its many buchus and ericas are in fragrant flower. A large selection of ericas, particularly unusual varieties such as Erica verticillata, extinct in the wild, was sourced from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Widely recognised as one of the world's foremost sculptors of the animal form, Dylan initially focused on the big cats as symbols of wilderness, then moved into the human figure to explore the forgotten inner wild spaces of the human psyche and the impact of this amnesia on the planet's remaining wilderness areas.

How long is a typical visit?

The average visitor spends 1 - 2 hours (Quarter Day) at Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden.

Opening times

Year Round Tuesday - Saturday 09:00 - 17:00 (Last Entry 15:30)

Useful details

Garden area

17 Acres

Dog walking

No - Guide dogs only.

Cafe or restaurant

Food and drink facilities include a cafe/restaurant.

Family

Yes - Children of all ages.

Wheelchair access

Mostly inaccessible (some paths moderately flat and paved).

Shops

None

Cape Winelands, 7600

Check local coronavirus guidance before you visit

Weather forecast

Find the garden

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Cape Winelands

7600

Public Transport

N/A.

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Things to see

No features yet for this season

Google reviews

4.9
from 520 Google reviews

Lee-Anne Curtis-Cox

3 months ago

I highly recommend a visit to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Gardens if you are at all a fan of beautiful gardens, scenery or art! We enjoyed a private tour on the day we visited, but I'd love to go back and walk the gardens at my own pace, using the informative brochure you receive when entering. The setting of each sculpture in the garden is so incredibly breath-taking that I felt I needed more time to revel in their beauty. I would reckon that I could easily spend about 3 leisurely hours walking the gardens. I am also appreciative of the fact that a limited amount of visitors is allowed entry each day, which limits congestion and noise. Bookings can be made via email. In the summer months, I would definitely suggest an earliest entrance as possible, as temperatures easily sore in Stellenbosch. The gardens graciously provide parasols, hats and even suntan lotion! There is a little cafeteria which serves very good coffee and excellent home made lemonade!

Shirley Obery

9 months ago

Absolutely breathtaking! Every step you take in these magnificent gardens offers a different view or perspective of the piece of sculpture you're looking at. Wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking, but all the paths are well maintained and easy. Just don't forget to book or you will be sorely dissapointed. Remember your hat and purchase some water when you arrive.

Rita Louw

5 months ago

An enchanted place. Absolutely worth a visit. The combination of indigenous sculpted garden and Lewis' sculptures is just soul stirring. We took more than the 2 hours recommended and still wanted to see more. Cannot recommend it too highly.

Maretha Roux

9 months ago

This garden is a must visit and take your time!! My experience can be described as a great addition to my life's story... I love your work Dylan and couldn't get enough of it. Goosebumps Beautiful!! Thank you xx

Buyisiwe Shongwe

a year ago

What a wonderful, evocative experience. You can feel the energy of every statue. The whole place is alive. A true 3D experience. Have something to eat before you walk around, then walk around slowly. Really worth a visit.

Contact the garden

+27 (0)21 880 0054

dylanlewis.com/garden/

facebook.com/dylanlewissculpturegarden/

instagram.com/dylanlewissculpturegarden

reservations@dylanart.co.za

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