Rushmere's Giant Has a New Chair!

Local environmental charity the Greensand Trust is delighted to announce the arrival of a new Giant’s Chair at Rushmere Country Park. The chair is the centrepiece of the park’s accessible Fairy Trail route and replaces the original chair, which had reached the end of its natural life after welcoming visitors since the park opened.

Like its predecessor, the new chair was created by artist and sculptor Ian Freemantle, (pictured below) who is responsible for many of the magical wooden sculptures found among the park’s winding woodland paths. His work has helped create special memories for thousands of visitors over the years.

The Fairy Trail woodland walk, dotted with fairy doors, sculptures and storytelling spots, is made up of whimsical features crafted entirely from natural materials. It has become a beloved destination for families, children and dreamers of all ages. However, after 15 years, many of these magical features are now approaching the end of their natural lifespan and need replacing.

As one of the park’s most popular attractions, the Trust is appealing to visitors who have enjoyed the Fairy Trail to help fund a new generation of equally beautiful sculptures and installations, ensuring future families can experience the same sense of wonder.

Thanks to generous donations from Collins Aerospace and The Leighton Buzzard Townlands Trust, totalling £13,000, the Trust has been able to commission Ian to begin work on Rushmere’s most iconic sculptures, including the Fairy King and the Giant’s Chair. A fundraising campaign has also been launched to help fund further replacements.

Chief Executive Gill Welham said:

“Thank you to those who have already donated and to Ian for bringing his rare talent back to Rushmere to ensure the magic continues for generations to come. We hope visitors will support the appeal and help us replace more sculptures and introduce new features, creating many more happy memories for families in the years ahead.”

The arrival of the new Giant’s Chair marks the beginning of the Fairy Trail’s next chapter. The Fairy King, Quercus, has already departed, along with many of the fairies who once lived behind the trail’s fairy doors. The Trust plans to replace these much-loved features and introduce new fairy doors, play sculptures and a larger Leaf Circle – but community support is needed to make this happen.

Whether you’ve wandered the trail yourself or simply believe in the power of nature, imagination and outdoor play, every donation will help keep the fairies fluttering and the stories unfolding.

To support the appeal, visit:

Fairy Trail Appeal