Sculpture by the Lakes
Large and tranquil sculpture park in a lakeside setting.
4.7
from 567 Google reviews
About the garden
Opening times
1 April - 30 September Wednesday - Sunday 10AM - 5PM 1 Oct - 23 Dec & 1 Feb - 31 Mar Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM
Useful details
Garden area
26 Acres
Dog walking
No - Guide dogs only. (Due to the presence of rescue animals on site and fast-flowing river).
Cafe or restaurant
Food and drink facilities include a cafe/restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
Family
No - Children are not allowed. (See U14s policy above).
Bicycle storage
Yes - You can lock up your bike at Sculpture by the Lakes.
Wheelchair access
Mostly accessible (many paths flat and paved).
Shops
Yes - There is a gift shop and plant shop.
Dorset, DT2 8QU
Tickets available
Events available
Check local coronavirus guidance before you visit
Weather forecast

Find the garden
Things to see
No features yet for this season
Upcoming events
Dorset Garden Festival and Fire & Food Festival
May 25 - May 29 We-Su 10:00-17:00
Celebrate all things gardens and gardening with us! From Wednesday 25th - Sunday 29th May the Dorset Garden Festival is back.
This year the Dorset Garden Festival, for the first time, is in conjunction with the Fire and Food Festival. An exciting array of stalls selling not just plants but all things for outdoor living.
Fire and Food will include demonstrations from renowned chefs cooking over fire. Sales of cutting-edge Studio Gudgeon-designed BBQ’s, fire pits and alfresco dining equipment.
Not to be missed to get your garden 'summer ready'.
It will also be the last week of FORM: The Sculpture Show so lots to see and do!
Dorset Arts Festival 2022
Jun 29 - Jul 03 We-Su 10:00-17:00
An amazing award winning five day festival showcasing the best artists and makers in Dorset. We will have over 60 artists, crafters and makers gathered together at Sculpture by the Lakes to demonstrate their skills. You will be able to watch paintings being created, pots being thrown, jewellery being made and a whole range of other arts and crafts disciplines being demonstrated. Our aim is to make the whole festival about seeing artists and crafters demonstrate their skills and exhibit their work so you can see and understand the process.
Old Time Sailors - Music Event, June 11th
jun 11
Old Time Sailors is a flash mob musical show designed to take the audience back in time through an unforgettable trip to the 19th century. Every member of the audience receives a copy of the Sunday Sailor, our own newspaper shaped programme which includes the lyrics to all our songs (plus personalised postal stamps!) in order to sing along and become a Sailor for one epic night!
She'Koyokh Klezmer Karouse - Music Event, June 25th
jun 25
Our second evening in The Summer Series celebrates the riotous joy of all things near Eastern. Bring a picnic or choose from a sumptuous selection of wood fired dining and food from the new Outdoor Kitchen.
She'Koyokh: "Britain's best klezmer and Balkan music band" (Songlines)
Still Moving DJ's Jumpin’ Jurassica - Music Event, July 9th
Jul 09
For the third evening in our Summer Series the sculpture park becomes the classiest of festivals. Grab a cocktail from the bar and dance or chill out to the Still Moving DJs on our new stage. The Still-Moving DJs are a lively, unique and alternative DJ duo with a well-stocked but carefully chosen selection of music by great musicians, with live percussion, ship lanterns,
Doel Brothers Hillbillies Hootenanny - Music Event, July 23th
jul 23
We all love the 1950s, and so our fourth evening in The Summer Series will be devoted to exactly that. Vintage cars around the site and our wood fired dining will bring out the
Look out for our wandering minstrel tonight. Harry Skinner is a much loved Blues musician and tonight he will be performing solo- who knows where you will find him? After a stroll amongst the sculpture and our visiting collection of vintage cars, join us at our new stage for a date with The Doel Brothers.
The FB Pocket Orchestra Around the World in 80 Staves - Music Event, August 6th
aug 06
The FB Pocket Orchestra join us for the fifth evening in our Summer Series. They bring with them a new departure- a musical journey around the world. In a world where being green means less travel, let the Pocket Orchestra bear the brunt of your carbon footprint as we travel from London to Lisbon, from Paris to Peking and from Ulster to Ulaanbaattar.
Nova Foresta The Mystery of the Murdered Swan - Music Event, August 20th
aug 20
Join us for a Murder Mystery finale to our Summer Season. We are catapulted back to the 1920s as we work together to solve the mystery of the murdered ballerina. Who killed her? How can we catch them? And how will the mystery be solved? Join the hunt, search for clues and watch out for a cameo from the great Simon Gudgeon himself! Sculpture by the Lakes has commissioned this special murder mystery from Russell Biles and the Strictly Murder team.
Wellbeing by the Lakes 2022 Entry Ticket
08 Sep 22- 11 Sep 22
Set in the picturesque Sculpture by the Lakes park, Wellbeing by the Lakes is a 4-day festival exploring what it means to be mindful and live well in this fast-paced modern world. A curated blend of free expert talks, guided meditations, art and shopping marketplace, as well as bookable movement sessions, sound baths and healing therapies all designed to open your eyes to fresh experiences for health & wellbeing.
Get tickets
Day Ticket
Single-Day Ticket - valid for entry only on the date selected below.
Important information: Please note, no children under 14 (including babies), no dogs (except assistance dogs) and no campervans are permitted on site.
Friends of Sculpture by the Lakes
Access the garden for a year.
Want to gift a Friends of Sculpture by the Lakes to someone? See how this works.
The Pavilion
Situated on the edge of the Artist’s Pool it accommodates up to eight people and is in a privately fenced off area. It has a dining table and chairs inside and sliding glass doors leading out onto a deck; then a jetty leads you to a floating platform with luxurious sofas - the perfect spot for group celebrations with family and friends.
Admission must be purchased separately.
The Island
This secluded island is situated on Rainbow Lake and houses a privately enclosed pavilion with soft seating, a picnic table, and wood burning stove. It accommodates six people and is accessible across a small bridge. A perfect hideaway retreat.
Admission must be purchased separately.
The River Keeper’s Hut
On the river’s edge, this wonderful space accommodates four. A cosy indoor space with table, chairs and a wood-burning stove. Lovely outdoor picnic area.
Admission must be purchased separately.
Google reviews
4.7
from 567 Google reviews
Ross Penman
a month ago
5
Beautiful setting - very peaceful. Adults only (no children or dogs allowed). The site is more extensive than we expected. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. They welcome visitors to bring a picnic and enjoy by the lakeside.
Ryan Alexander
2 weeks ago
5
Lovely, quiet place that's perfect for a sunny day and a picnic. No dogs and no children (under 14). Also have a lovely farm shop and restaurant - didn't buy anything as we brought lunch but was nice to have a browse. If you like sculptures and a peaceful walk around gardens and lakes this is for you. Can also buy fresh veg and plants and all veg grown is used in there restaurant and cafe.
Mark Locke
2 weeks ago
4
Very relaxing and enjoyable day. Beautiful place to visit and the sculptures, along with the setting is wonderful. However, I personally feel that the items for sale in their shop and from the cafe are extremely overpriced. Otherwise, I truly recommend it for a picnic and romantic walk around.
Brian Bailey
a month ago
5
Impressive quiet place to relax and enjoy the gardens and sculptures. Just visited again after their winter closure. Significant work on gardens and paths improved the landscaping. Sculptures updated and other facilities. The wildlife also appear to enjoy this area as well. Friendly helpful staff.
Nadia Hubbard
11 months ago
5
I decided to visit Sculpture by the Lakes as I'd seen Instagram posts and thought it looked stunning. Wow oh wow, it not only didn't disappoint but exceeded all of my expectations. It was the most wonder, tranquil, beautifully thought out place and I found the whole experience truly exhilarating, would totally recommend visiting if you love art, open space and wildlife!