🌷 The Unfolding Garden – A Summer Sculpture Trail Across Worcester

Tuesday 22nd July – Sunday 31st August 2025

This summer, something beautiful is blooming across Worcester…

The Unfolding Garden is a family-friendly sculpture trail celebrating creativity, reading, and community. From Tuesday 22nd July to Sunday 31st August, explore Worcester in a whole new way — with 20 stunning sculptures, 37 decorated business windows, 3 book benches, and plenty of activities along the way.

Whether you’re a local or visiting for the day, this is your chance to experience Worcester in a new way.

🌷 Inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge

At the heart of The Unfolding Garden lies the inspiration behind it all — the Summer Reading Challenge, a national initiative that encourages children of all ages to keep reading over the summer holidays.

As part of this campaign, over 600 local students were invited to take part in creative workshops throughout June at The Hive, where they read for inspiration, explored mark-making techniques, and helped co-design the sculptures featured in the trail. The result? A city-wide celebration of reading, imagination, and artistic expression.

Learn more about the challenge and how to get involved at 👉 summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

🌷 What to Expect

🪻 20 Sculptures
Collaboratively created with local schools and Creative Lead, Catt Standen, these sculptures represent themes of nature, growth, and storytelling — brought to life through the students from the following schools:

  • North Worcester Primary Academy
  • Oldbury Park Primary School
  • Red Hill C of E Primary School
  • RGS Springfield
  • St Barnabus C of E Primary School
  • St Clements C of E Primary School
  • St George’s C of E Primary School
  • St James’ C of E Primary School
  • Tudor Grange Academy

🌸 37 Window Art Displays
Worcester’s independent businesses transform their shopfronts into vibrant floral displays in celebration of the trail.

🗺️ A Family-Friendly Trail
Pick up a map to visit the highlighted businesses, find the sculptures and collect stamps — enjoy a city adventure perfect for all ages.

📚 3 Book Benches
Sit, read, or snap a photo on our themed benches – “The Ladybird Lounger” at Cathedral Square, “The Flutter Bench” at Friary Walk, and “The Bumblebook” at The Hive.

📖 Storytelling & Book Swaps
Join the Garden Gnome for magical storytelling sessions throughout the summer. (Dates to be announced!)

🌷 How to Join the Trail

From Tuesday 22nd July, grab your official trail map for £1 from:

  • Our Garden Gnome! (See below for meet-and-greet details!)

  • Or one of these local businesses:

All About Me · ASK Italian · Auntie Em’s Tearoom · Boston Tea Party · Coffee Dough · Cookmate · G&W Furniture · JNCTN · Mr D’s Olde Sweet Shop · Museum of Royal Worcester · Pack It In · Paw & Co · Petite Paws Only · Pretty Good Coffee · Revital · Robin Elts Shoes · Script Haven · The Cabin · The Heritage POD (Friary Walk) · The Hive · The Wildling Collective · Tudor House · Waffle & More · Worcester BID’s Safe Space Van · ZipYard

✅ Finished the trail?
Return your completed map to The Hive to enter our free prize draw! Be in with a chance of winning a prize worth over £200!

🌷 Meet & Greet Our Garden Gnome!

Don’t miss your chance to meet the star of the trail — Mr Gnome!
He’ll be out and about with stories, smiles, and surprises on these special dates:

📅 Meet & Greet Dates (12pm–2pm):

  • Saturday 2nd August

  • Saturday 9th August

  • Friday 15th August

  • Saturday 30th August

📍 Gnome Schedule for Each Date:

  • 12:00 – 12:15pm → Meet & Greet + Storytelling at The Hive

  • 12:15 – 1:00pm → Walkabout through the city, visiting sculptures and businesses

  • 1:00 – 1:15pm → Meet & Greet + Storytelling at Script Haven

  • 1:15 – 1:30pm → Meet & Greet + Storytelling at Cathedral Square Book Bench (books kindly provided by Script Haven)

  • 1:30 – 2:00pm → Return walk to The Hive, engaging with the public along the way

Bring your questions, your favourite book, or just stop by for a wave and a selfie!

🌷 Limited Edition Tote Bags – Pick Positivity, Shop Local

Celebrate Independent Retailers Month with our limited edition Unfolding Garden tote bags — just £5!

🌿 Eco-friendly
🌷 Floral trail design
🛍️ Stylish summer accessory
💛 Supporting Worcester’s 67% independent business community

Available at:
All About Me · Auntie Em’s Tearoom · Boston Tea Party · Cookmate · G&W Furniture · JNCTN · Pack It In · Paw & Co · Pretty Good Coffee · Revital · Robin Elts Shoes · Script Haven · The Cabin · The Wildling Collective · Tudor House · Waffle & More · Worcester BID’s Safe Space Van · ZipYard

🌷 Supporting Worcester Safe Space

All proceeds from trail map and tote bag sales go to Worcester Safe Space — a vital service offering care and support to vulnerable individuals in the city.

By taking part in The Unfolding Garden, you’re helping to:

  • Provide first aid and welfare support

  • Create a compassionate, safe space in the city centre

  • Ease the pressure on emergency services

🌷 Get Involved!

📸 Share your adventure using #TheUnfoldingGarden
📱 Tag us on social media — help the trail grow!

Let’s celebrate reading, art, and community spirit — all summer long. 🌼