Art

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As part of the regeneration to a public country park, Outwood became part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail in 1999 when ten stone sculptures, created by German sculptor Ulrich Ruckriem, were installed in the park. Ruckriem is noted for his work on monumental sculptures and has created works that are on display across the world, such as Berlin, Barcelona and Tokyo. At Outwood, a solitary column stands at two entrances to the park and a group of seven slabs are located on a flat plateau within the park. The last and largest sculpture marks the point of the former railway, just a few meters from the old station platform.

To the south of Outwood lies the Trinity piece, which is dedicated to the creation of the railway through the park and pays tribute to the deaths of the engineers that were involved in the digging of the site. Etched into the tribute are the names of three flowers; Harebell representing grief, Snowdrop for consolation and Rosemary in remembrance.

Outwood is one stage of the 13 clusters that make the trail, which is the largest sculpture trail in the UK. Starting in Bacup with The Sentinel by Jane Dunn, which was installed in 1998, the trail follows the River Irwell on its journey from the source two miles from Bacup, to the Manchester Ship Canal and Salford Quays over 30 miles away. Originally planned to have around 50 pieces of art, the sculpture trail contains over 70 different artworks and takes hikers through some of the most beautiful pieces of countryside along the way.

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Following sculptures in Stacksteads and Rawtenstall, the trail moves through Ramsbottom and Bury, with Burrs Country Park and Bury town centre hosting several pieces. Close Park, Radcliffe and Whitefield also contain many clusters, with Jack Wright’s Nailing Home, a series of nine giant frost nails, situated close to Radcliffe town centre. Following the 4km Outwood stage, Clifton Country Park is next on the trail, home to the 1999 ground-based sculpture Dig by Rosie Leventon. Chapel Street cluster is followed by the trail’s final Ordsall stage, where you’ll find sculptures such as Casuals, Timeline and Erie’s Rest by Ingrid Hu.

In addition to the artworks, you’ll also have the opportunity to take in local heritage and community attractions, such as art galleries, the East Lancashire Railway and the National Transport Museum in Bury. Salford Quays is home to Media City and the Lowry theatre, named after the region’s most famous artist. As the trail is split into different sections, you can complete the entire route at your own leisure, so you don’t have to do the whole walk in one day!