Looking for somewhere a bit different to visit in the North East? You could try out Cheeseburn Sculpture Gardens near Stamfordham in Northumberland about 10 miles west of Newcastle.
Along narrow and winding country roads, you will find Cheeseburn. For those unaware, Cheeseburn encompasses Cheeseburn Grange Hall, a sprawling home with a rich and diverse history dating back to the 1200s; the magnificent sculpture gardens, which have been painstakingly restored to their former glory; the Chapel, which plays host to a range of artistic events, and the Stables Gallery, with its ever-changing programme of curated exhibitions.
Founded by Joanna Riddell in 2014, Cheeseburn is open for six weekends a year, Cheeseburn is somewhat of a special occasion; tangible yet intangible, a visit to this magical venue is a memory to treasure. Each open weekend features a carefully-selected exhibition, alongside some sixty other sculptures situated within ten acres of landscaped gardens.
Add to this the annual Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor of the Year (GDNEYS) – an annual competition for emerging artists and sculptors to receive mentoring and career guidance, with one selected to deliver a £6,500 commission – and Cheeseburn makes for a wonderful day out in Northumberland.
From talking to Cheeseburn’s curator, Matthew Jarratt, it’s clear that they are passionate about arts and culture. “At Cheeseburn, we love to offer sculptors at all stages of their career the opportunity to exhibit their work, as well as allowing them to experiment with new ideas,” Matthew notes, adding, “We hope to delight visitors, and challenge perceptions of what sculpture can be.” Past exhibitions at Cheeseburn are testament to that: from the spectacular stainless-steel sculptures of Chinese artist, Qi Yafeng to Joseph Hillier’s marrying of traditional techniques with modern technology.
Stay in the loop about Cheeseburn’s 2019 season by visiting www.cheeseburn.com
Cheeseburn on Twitter: @Cheeseburn
Cheeseburn is situated on the B6324 (Stamfordham Road) 10 miles west of Newcastle at:
Cheeseburn Grange, Stamfordham, Northumberland NE18 0PT