Nissen Hut sculpture through the trees — Rachel Whiteread, Nissen Hut, 2018

Forest Art Works

Woodlands and forests are vital places for artists to engage with, to make and present new work. Find out more below.

Forestry England's contemporary arts

Since 1968 the nation’s forests have played host to a wide range of artworks and art forms.

Contemporary arts in our forests include installations, trails, exhibitions and live performances and more from the artists of today.

Come and discover, engage with and enjoy our inspiring artworks. Find out more about the pieces in our forests below.

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Natasha Rosling, Threshold, 2019. Image copyright: Garry Loughlin

Threshold by Natasha Rosling

The Forest of Dean Sculpture trail

Come and see the new permanent sculpture by artist Natasha Rosling.

Inspired by the ancient history of mining beneath the surface of the Forest of Dean, Threshold's large interlocking walls have a crevice-like form that visitors can walk through and immerse themselves within.

Visit Threshold

Mystical wood — David Rippin, 'Forest Depths' (2018)

Earth Photo

This innovative photography competition and exhibition aims to stimulate conversations about our world and its inhabitants and our treatment of both.

The winning work will be selected by an expert panel before beginning a national tour of exhibitions at our forests this year. See the photos yourself at one of our forests!

View the exhibition

Nissen Hut by Rachel Whiteread

Dalby Forest, near Pickering, Yorkshire

Visit the Nissen Hut by Turner Prize-winning artist Rachel Whiteread.

The Nissen Hut is inspired by World War II barracks and is commissioned in partnership with 14-18 NOW to mark 100 years of forestry.

Come and experience this resonant and emotive piece at Dalby Forest.

Visit Nissen Hut

Writers in the Forest

From observing our expert foresters and rangers at work to watching our world-class scientists, Zakiya Mckenzie and Tiffany Francis will spend the summer months creating new literary work that tells the story of our nation's forests.

Read their story

The Custody Code

Coming to our forests later this year, The Custody Code is a moving image art project by Amanda Loomes that tells the behind-the-scenes story of our forests.

View the trailer