London’s Largest Sculpture Park Returns to Thamesmead for Its Fourth Edition
Art lovers, explorers, and those who just like wandering through vast, rewilded landscapes—this one’s for you. Winter Sculpture Park, London’s largest free sculpture park, is back for its fourth edition, running from 2 March to 26 April 2025. Once a golf course and now a rewilded urban oasis, this Thamesmead space will transform into a 6.5-acre playground for experimental contemporary art, public installations, and unexpected encounters between nature and creativity.
Curated by No.32 founders Meg Stuart and Kieran Idle, this year’s lineup features 40 thought-provoking artworks by 34 artists, each challenging traditional ideas of sculpture and public art. Think climate-conscious installations, playful satire, deeply personal narratives, and interactive experiences—all set against the rugged beauty of Thamesmead’s long-forgotten fairways.
A Sculpture Park Like No Other
Winter Sculpture Park isn’t just about placing a few oversized statues on a lawn. It’s about creating an environment where art, people, and wild spaces collide. For years, the disused Thamesmead golf course was left untouched, allowing nature to reclaim the land. Now, it provides the perfect setting for contemporary artists to respond to their surroundings, resulting in works that feel both organic and otherworldly.
Expect an eclectic mix of installations, sculptures, and site-specific works, including:
Claye Bowler, whose work, previously exhibited at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, explores the intersection of queerness, landscape, and the body.
Ellie Harrison, whose piece Life Raft—a striking climate-change-inspired installation—was first shown at the Venice Biennale 2015.
Chanel Vegas, bringing a satirical take on the NHS crisis with a leaning tower of trampolines symbolising the cycle of illness and recovery.
Joseph Ijoyemi, an East London Art Prize finalist tackling questions of identity, heritage, and cultural memory.
Marcus Orlandi, known for banners that channel the hyperbolic energy of British tabloids and Jenny Holzer’s iconic Truisms.
Alegria Repila Smith, whose work serves as a memorial to women who have been victims of male violence.
Prayer Room, a collaborative multi-faith project space co-founded by Ishmail De Niro, Dinosaur Kilby, and Leah Hickey.
With so many perspectives and materials at play, expect the unexpected—from monumental sculptures to delicate interventions that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.
Opening Day: Art, Music, and Workshops
The launch event on Saturday 1 March promises more than just a first look at the art. Visitors can expect a full day of performances, music, and hands-on workshops, making it a celebration of creativity in all forms. The lineup includes:
Live performances from Andy Ash, David Sappa, Emma Louise Moore, Tom Hackett with Julian Woodcock, and Joseph Ijoyemi & SET Music.
Workshops where visitors can get involved, including wildflower seed bomb making and badge making—because who doesn’t love an artsy souvenir?
And yes, entry is free, but you’ll want to book your tickets in advance to secure your spot.
Art Meets Community in Thamesmead
This year’s edition wouldn’t be possible without the backing of Arts Council England, London Community Foundation, and Thamesmead Now, alongside partnerships with BUILDHOLLYWOOD, UNCLE, Communal Clay, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Ministry of Arts Podcast, and SET Music. Hosted by the Peabody Trust, the event reflects Thamesmead’s growing role as a cultural hub, proving that contemporary art belongs everywhere, not just inside white-walled galleries.
If you’re a fan of art that challenges, landscapes that inspire, and experiences that go beyond the ordinary, Winter Sculpture Park 2025 needs to be on your radar.
