Knole Tree Gallery:Nature’s Own sculpture Trail
Jackie Gwyther
2-19 September 2026
PV Friday 4 September 6:30 – 8:30 All welcome
Over the last twenty years Jackie has developed an enormous affection for Knole Park. Its appeal is not just the stunning parkland but also the restorative benefits that come from close observation of its trees, walking and experiencing nature first hand.
Through her botanical art, Jackie explores the evocative power of the trees in Knole Park focusing on the themes of renewal, shape and imagination. She draws attention to the wonders of nature’s cycle of life and decay, celebrates the remarkable forms of weathered trees and conjures unusual narratives to enrich the experience. Trees stand for decades, some even centuries, yet they are never static; they grow, decay, and transform with the seasons. Her work captures their grandeur and resilience while acknowledging their impermanence.
The ‘Knole Tree Gallery’ exhibition features Jackie’s oil paintings of remarkable trees, including a fire-damaged hollow beech, a ‘dancing’ hornbeam and a fallen tree with an intricate exposed root system.
This exhibition is kindly supported by the Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum (SVAF) and is at the Kent County Council Sevenoaks Kaleidocsope Art Gallery
Dancing Hornbeam Jackie Gwyther
Jackie Gwther artist-led workshops
Family Make a Tree Trail Map
Saturday 12 September 10:30 -12:30
Saturday 19th September 10:30 – 12:30
All materials provided
Free
Dress for mess
Children must be accompanied
Landscape within (Detail) Jackie Gwyther
Nature’s Own Sculpture Trails
Jackie invites people to follow her specially designed walks through Knole Park to discover the very trees that inspired her artworks, along with other fascinating natural sculptures shaped by time and the elements. The art experience is enriched by being able to locate the exact source of a painting using the maps and What3Words locations so that the tree’s scale, texture and presence can be experienced first-hand.
Jackie hopes to nurture the relationship between the viewer and the natural environment by encouraging them to adopt her unique way of experiencing the world. To discover solace and calm in the close observation that comes from slowing down, seeing and feeling and find beauty in the unexpected and stature in the commonplace.
Enjoy independently or join walks guided by Jackie
Hollybush/Knole (1 hour)
Monday 7th September 2pm & Wednesday 16th 10am
Meet at car park by: Hollybush Bowls Club, Hollybush Close TN13 3UX
Godden Green/Knole (1-1.5hours)
Wednesday 9th September 10am & Sunday 20th September 3pm
Meet outside: Bucks Head Pub, Park Lane, Godden Green, Sevenoaks TN15 0JJ
St Julians Road/Knole (1 hour)
SunDay 13th September 3pm & Tuesday 15th Sept 10am
Meet inside gate to: Knole Park at the junction of St Julians Road, Fawke Common and Fawke Wood Road Park where it is safe to do so.
Magnificent Chestnut Jackie Gwyther
Community Involvement through Instagram
Visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings about these trees through photographs, paintings, drawings, sculpture, poetry or prose. Creative contributions can be shared on Instagram #knoletreegallery and the tree’s individual hashtag such as #majesticchestnut.
The project has potential to extend way beyond the trees featured in the gallery exhibition. With such a diverse range of remarkable specimens in Knole Park, Jackie invites people to suggest their own special trees in Knole, which can be added to the database, for others to discover, enjoy, explore and be creatively inspired by.
Full projet information:https://jackiegwyther.com/knoletreegallery/
Artist in conversation Wednesday 2 September 6 – 8
