Chip in for chance to buy a west Dorset sculpture park

Now is your chance – if you do not mind 10,000 visitors a year, that is. 

Sculpture by the Lakes, at Pallington Lakes, Dorchester, is being sold by sculptor Simon Gudgeon so he can focus on his sculpting works. 

But for those counting your loose change, hold fire – a final selling price has not been agreed yet.

The sculpture park opened in 2011 and attracted more than 10,000 visitors last year. 

The growing popularity of the park has caused an increase in the need for management and day-to-day running, meaning Simon had less time to focus on his sculpting work. 

Sculpture by the Lakes features 26 acres of landscaped gardens and lakes, interspersed with Simon’s sculptures. 

Simon spoke of his pride in the project but also his sadness in selling it. 

Simon Gudgeon needs more time to focus on his work

He said: “Creating Sculpture by the Lakes has been an achievement that my wife Monique and I are immensely proud of. We are, of course, sad to be selling the sculpture park but very much hope that the new owners continue to run it as it is.

“From the first day we opened in June 2011, the response from visitors has been nothing but enthusiastic and Sculpture by the Lakes now has a loyal and every increasing band of followers.” 

He added: “The sculpture park has enormous potential for the future with visitor numbers increasing year-on-year.

“Already the number one tourist attraction in Dorset, it has won gold awards in the 2015 south west and Dorset tourism awards, something we are hugely proud of.

“I hope that whoever buys Sculpture by the Lakes will continue to develop and nurture what we have created.” 

He said: “Sadly with its ever-growing popularity and the increasing amount of administration this has entailed, I have moved further and further away from what I love best, which is creating sculpture.”

The park will form part of the sale of Pallington Lakes and the main house, gallery, buildings and gardens will also be sold.