Pictured: ‘Luna’ by Simon Gudgeon 31
<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland Christmas at Sculpture by the Lakes A wintry walk through <strong>The</strong> Sculpture Park, a tasty lunch in <strong>The</strong> Kitchen café, a feast for the eyes in <strong>The</strong> Gallery, followed by a wander through <strong>The</strong> Store and <strong>The</strong> Pantry perusing unique and beautiful gifts – your perfect day awaits at Sculpture by the Lakes this Christmas! <strong>The</strong> festive season is a special time to visit this multiaward-winning attraction nestled in the heart of the countryside at Pallington, near Dorchester. For those in the know, the combination of <strong>The</strong> Sculpture Park, where art meets nature across 26-acres of gardens, woodland, rivers and lakes, and <strong>The</strong> Makers Yard, with its fresh dining and artisan shopping opportunities, is the perfect tonic to the commercialised mayhem December can bring. <strong>The</strong> Store is brimming with creations from the hands of more than 80 artists and makers from around Dorset and beyond, and treasures from as far afield as Morocco, including ceramics, textiles, jewellery and more. In <strong>The</strong> Pantry, visitors can discover exceptional produce from passionate artisanal producers, from small batch chili sauces to botanical gins - the perfect presents for the foodie in your life. <strong>The</strong> Kitchen is open for coffees, cakes, and lunches, including seasonal delights sourced from the park’s own kitchen garden, and no visit is complete without a wander around <strong>The</strong> Gallery, where the exhibition closing out the year is ‘Look Up! A Journey Through Print Land’, a stunning celebration of the ingenuity, diversity and sheer magic of contemporary printmaking. With its delicious food and beautiful venues across the park, which can host between four to 100 people, Sculpture by the Lakes is also the ideal spot for Christmas parties and corporate away days, providing an inspirational setting for colleagues to connect and enjoy time outdoors. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the website for details of additional seasonal events, such as late-night shopping with fire-cooked food and mulled wine, and the popular Saturday night Supper Club in <strong>The</strong> Kitchen. Sculpture by the Lakes is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am - 5pm during the winter. Tickets to <strong>The</strong> Sculpture Park are £14.50, and entry to <strong>The</strong> Makers Yard, including <strong>The</strong> Gallery, <strong>The</strong> Kitchen, <strong>The</strong> Pantry and <strong>The</strong> Store, is free. See sculpturebythelakes.co.uk 32