Where sheep may safely graze

One of the odd little 'positives' from the Covid pandemic is the sense of joyful return to some of the places that I love but could not visit during the lockdowns. The 'forbidden fruit' effect means an increased appreciation of the freedom and the abundance of loveliness amongst which I'm fortunate to live. It was with that in mind that a friend and I had a delightful day out at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) near Wakefield. 

A 500 acre country estate, formerly belonging to Bretton Hall, it has a large 1720 mansion that later became a teacher training college. There are rolling fields, lakes and woodland - miles of countryside to explore - as well as galleries and gardens, all full of sculpture and art. Pretty much all that you see in the photo below is part of it, although the Longside Gallery, which you can just see on the hillside in the distance, is currently closed. 

The various sculptures, some permanent and some visiting, somehow fit perfectly into the landscape. The sheep in the top photo are oblivious to the Corten steel 'Crate of Air' by Sean Scully, and others graze safely near Henry Moore's 'Large Totem Head'. The swan on her nest in the reeds (above) didn't know she was reflected in 'Gazing Ball' by Lucy & George Orta (also below), originally commissioned for an exhibition in the water gardens at Studley Royal. 

As you wander the estate, you might not even realise that the steps up through the bluebells are an artwork by David Nash: 'Seventy-One Steps', charred and oiled oak embedded in coal. Or that the bridge over the haha (hidden ditch) is a clever and functional sculpture by Brian Fell. 

Then there are the galleries to explore, architectural masterpieces in themselves. I love the play of light and shadow in the Underground Gallery. 

The more formal garden areas are lovely too, and I was thrilled to see the wisteria blossom tumbling down the wall outside the Underground Gallery.

There's more to see than can be done in a day, so I am glad to live within an hour's drive and to keep returning to the YSP.