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Kings Wood is a 1500-acre forest. It is one of Kent’s largest woodlands and is managed by the Forestry Commission for conservation, recreation and timber production. The forest is an ancient woodland site with both broad-leaved trees and conifers, species include sweet chestnut, beech, Corsican pine and Douglas fir. It is home to a huge diversity of flora and fauna, including fallow deer, adders, nightjars, green woodpeckers, lesser and greater spotted woodpeckers, foxgloves, bluebells and woodspurges.
Since 1994, SVA has commissioned artists to make sculptures within the forest and also other kinds of artworks. Artists who are particularly responsive to the history and character of this working forest are invited to spend long periods here. As a consequence of their close and sympathetic involvement with the forest, they use natural materials found in the immediate area.
This use of natural materials means that the sculptures in King's Wood gradually change and will all, eventually, become part of the natural forest cycle of decay and regeneration. Day to day, they are transformed by light, weather and seasonal occurrences. As well as sculptures marked on the map, visitors may see the 'ghosts' of previous sculptures now being reclaimed by nature. You might also spot experimental pieces made during SVA's education workshops.
At least 10 different on-site artworks are spread through the forest, which encourages visitors to explore and discover the woods, experiencing the wildlife and contemporary art at the same time. Two of the artworks are award-winning and some have been designed for children to interact with.
An on-site map is available to help visitors locate the artworks. Information leaflets containing the same map are available at the car park.
Friends of Kings Wood
This organisation supports the protection, preservation and improvement of King’s Wood for the benefit of the public as a recreational area. Throughout the year The Friends hold regular guided walks and a practical work-day. Walks are free to members and cost £2 per person for non-members.
Contact number: 07523 203458 or email: enquiries@friendsofkingswood.org
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Opening Times
Free car park and open access all year
Directions: from the M2: take the A251 towards Ashford. From the M20 take the A28 towards Canterbury and the A251 towards Faversham. The car park and entrance to King's Wood is situated off the A251 1km along the road to Wye. There are train stations at Wye, Chilham, Ashford, Charing, Faversham and Canterbury. There is a bus service from Ashford and Faversham – number 666, which runs Mon to Sat. Operator is Kent Top Travel: 01622 605 935
Location
Click here for a location map
Useful Links
www.stourvalleyarts.org.uk
www.forestry.gov.uk/
www.friendsofkingswood.org/
www.forestrycommission.org.uk
Contact Number
Stour Valley Arts 01233 740040 or email info@stourvalleyarts.org.uk
Events at this site
Stour Valley Arts runs events regularly from launches of new works in the forest to regular walks and workshops as part of its Education Programme.
Events this summer include: Midsummer Picnic – Tues 24 th June, approx 7pm – 10pm. Bring your own picnic, torch & blanket. Watch the sun go down through Via Lucem – the Avenue of Light. This piece is a 140-metre avenue of 200 yew trees planted by local people, which works as a device for framing the setting sun.
Picnic and Book Launch – Sunday 29th June, pm. Launch of the book, A Score for a Hole in the Ground, celebrating the award-winning sculpture by Jem Finer . |
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