The Forest of Dean sculpture trail is an extraordinary group of artworks spread through this area, whisking you away into another world. The Cathedral sculpture by artist Kevin Atherton is one of the most awe-inspiring.

This phenomenal work of stained glass hangs above the trail, creating a sublime window into the cathedral of the forest itself. When the sun catches it, the effect is fantastic.

Anna McNuff

July 20, 2020

Super Awesome sculpture, commissioned in 1986 - offering a window to the forest. Looks gorgeous when the sun shines through it but also looks different through the seasons - so worth looking at more than once!

Here’s what it’s all about according to the Artist 👩🏼‍🎨 Kevin Atherton:

“Although consisting of one large window 15 feet high by 10 feet across, Cathedral is not just about itself as an example of the art of stained glass. The undeniably attractive qualities of stained glass are in this instance secondary to the idea of placing the window in the forest. Operating as a visual trigger, the window is intended to serve to connect mentally the concepts of two separate spaces, the ‘forest’ and the ‘cathedral’. Amongst the common features shared between forest and cathedral is the way that they are affected by natural light. In both cases there exists a darker, interior light, in the spectator’s space, surrounded by a brighter, outside light. This is an essential ingredient, fundamental to the viewing of stained glass and, as applied in Cathedral means that in order to see the window properly the viewer has to enter into the forest.”

Ben

February 19, 2023

Henry Castle 2016
300 million year-old tree fossils
sit alongside two cast iron
sculptures sited 300 metres apart,
representing the distance of the
nearest coal seam below ground.

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Elevation 190 m

Weather

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Friday 31 October

15°C

10°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Cinderford, Forest Of Dean, Gloucestershire, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Cathedral Stained Glass Window, Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

Cathedral by Kevin Atherton

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