I love a tramp in the countryside but I also love to see something new and/or interesting and that is often possible in Yorkshire. We’ve been generously given an extra day off work today as a substitute day for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday in June. We already get two days holiday then anyway. So what better way to spend it than to drive for 20 minutes down the M1 to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I’ve visited many times in the past but there is always something new to see and on every visit the park seems to have extended its boundaries. Today was no exception. There are some new paths around the Upper Lake and some renovated 18th century garden features to inspect – a Shell Grotto, a Boathouse, an Obelisk and a Greek Temple. The wind was blowing a gale and we had to watch our step along some of the muddier tracks but there were still some good photo opportunities to be had around the park. The main feature of these were the extraordinary work of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The exhibition was due to close in the autumn but has been extended until 22 January 2012. I’d seen friends’ photos of these stunning metalwork sculptures but it’s something else to see them for real many of them appearing suspended in the Yorkshire countryside. After our exertions we headed for the cafe for excellent homemade soup and a look round the also excellent shop.
Jerusalem in The Underground Gallery
Alabaster Heads in The Underground Gallery
The Heart of Trees
Jaume Plensa Sculptures
Jaume Plensa
The Park and Estate – with Talking Heads
Lovely stuff in the YSP Shop
miladysboudoir 
The Plensa sculptures are astonishing Barbara…quite incredible both from a distance and close up. I ‘like’ that shop too:-)
On a different subject, did you catch David Hockney on Countryfile tonight by any chance?? He has made a home back in his native Yorkshire again and was out painting on an iPad. The results were amazing and will feature in a forthcoming exhibition at the RA (I think)
Yes, I did catch DH on Countryfile. The RA exhibition is coming up very soon this month I think. Not sure that I will get there – but have plans to do Salts Mill again soon.
It is. 21st Jan to April 9th. Too soon for my whistlestopover in London next week but will be there again in March too so I must go. Doing all things Dickens next week, plus the William Morris exhibition at 2 Temple Place before that closes. I’m looking forward to seeing Temple Place too…once owned by the Astor family and very grand indeed.
You told me about Temple Place thank you but I never did get there I’m afraid. I’m sure there will be other exhibits after the Morris though. My sister and I wanted to do the Dickens stuff but not suitable for mum so we hope to arrange another time. Hope you enjoy!
[…] a lovely warm sunny afternoon at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I was last there on a cold blustery January morning earlier this year. Despite a busy car park and visitor centre it was easy to get away from […]