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Metal flora, fauna and fungi artworks growing in Felbrigg’s Walled Garden
- Published:
- 31 January 2025
- Last updated:
- 31 January 2025
A collaboration between Felbrigg’s Head Gardener, Tina Hammond Liew-Bedford, and a local artist blacksmith, Toby Winterbourn, a collection of tactile, galvanised steel creations has evolved organically over the last 12 years and can now be found in every corner of the Walled Garden.
The Walled Garden at Felbrigg is one of the finest examples within the National Trust, renowned for its old espalier fruit trees and unusual plants, vibrant double borders, productive kitchen garden and innovative climate adaptions. Thanks to its slight south-facing slope, proximity to the sea and protective walls, the garden stays warmer in the winter and retains heat in the summer.
This microclimate gives Tina and her team of staff and volunteers the freedom to experiment with future-proofing – blending native and exotic plants that can cope with more extreme environmental conditions. The garden also houses the 18th century Octagonal Dovecote, one of the few remaining at National Trust places to shelter a population of doves.
Within this setting, the team has created a haven that stimulates every sense and has inspired Toby’s metalwork and sculptures, which add wild and playful elements to the garden. Highlights include the Roman god of wine and merrymaking Bacchus, as a boy, scaled on the artist’s own son, and a troop of colossal mushrooms of all varieties dotted around The Nuttery, an orchard and meadow area.
As well as standalone artworks, Tina and Toby have decoratively transformed functional objects. Signposts are formed of sinuous branches; bench backrests woven out of forged leaves and a gate perforated by a cat-shaped hole, perfect for older feline residents to slink through.
Tina Hammond Liew-Bedford, Head Gardener, said:
‘It’s been a privilege to work with such a talented artist blacksmith. Toby brings the vision for Felbrigg’s Walled Garden to life in such exceptional ways with beautiful interpretations of our ideas. His work adds another dimension of interest, complimenting the overall structure and planting within the garden. This collection of metalwork and sculptures is helping us to honour the garden’s history and create a legacy for future generations of visitors to enjoy.’
Toby Winterbourn, artist blacksmith, said:
‘I hope that visitors to the Walled Garden enjoy the artwork as something unique to Felbrigg, echoing its surroundings. I like to hear people pointing out what they have spotted – a Kingfisher or a newt among the fencing around the pond, or dragonflies, pond skaters and frogs on lily pads. Most pieces around the garden have small hidden details, like a dormouse or a snail, that are fun for all ages to look for.’
Ella Akinlade, General Manager, said:
‘I love the Walled Garden, and the animals and insects, mushrooms and plant life created by Tina and Toby are a joy to spot, adding another dimension of wonder as you explore it. I am so proud of this themed collection that sits so beautifully in the garden, thanks to the work and creativity of the whole team.’
It is thanks to the generosity of National Trust members and visitors that these designs have been brought to life. One of Tina’s hopes is to commission a circular grove of metalwork pear trees to crown the lily pond at the heart of the garden, forming a halo above the water. Gifts left for the garden in wills, donations and money raised by Felbrigg’s second-hand bookshop may be put towards making this halo a reality, enhancing the garden as a place to get closer to nature, beauty and history.