Fox sculpture Lowarnes addition to Heligan trail in Cornwall

The six-metre-tall leaping fox, named Lowarnes (Cornish for “vixen”), was revealed last week as the latest addition to Heligan’s celebrated sculpture trail in Cornwall.

Crafted from vivid russet rhododendron wood grown on the estate, the striking figure celebrates the rich wildlife of Heligan and pays homage to the estate’s deep-rooted history and natural beauty.

The fox under construction(Image: Sue Hill/Facebook)

But before she took her place among the trees on Heligan’s Georgian Ride, Lowarnes was the subject of intense speculation in Redruth, where her construction began in Sue Hill’s front garden studio last March.

Cornish brother and sister artist team Sue and Pete Hill, and their associate Hal Silvester(Image: Hugh Hastings)

“You can imagine what the good people of Redruth thought,” Sue told the Packet. “Some asked if we were fracking or prospecting for lithium! But as it started to take shape, people absolutely loved it. It became a bit of a local attraction despite it supposed to be being a secret.”

Children from nearby Trewirgie School, who passed the sculpture daily, were eventually invited to visit and ask questions about the mysterious creation. “They were so bright and curious,” Sue said. “It was lovely to share it with them.”

The sculpture’s fur is made from around 600 hand-split pieces of rhododendron wood, harvested from a 150-year-old ‘Cornish Red’ tree that fell during Storm Darragh in December 2024.

The metal frame for the fox in Sue Hill’s studio space(Image: Sue Hill/Facebook)

The tree, which predated the First World War, is believed to have stood during the time of Heligan’s “lost gardeners” — estate workers who perished in the war, leaving the gardens to fall into ruin.

Rhododendrons are a signature plant at Heligan, which holds a National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons introduced before 1920. The use of this historic wood adds a poignant layer to Lowarnes, linking past and present through artistry and nature.

Now installed in a secluded spot on the path to the Lost Valley, Lowarnes joins a sculpture trail that also features works inspired by the poetry of Simon Armitage. The poet laureate’s Dwell collection, released earlier this year, complements the sculpture by celebrating the estate’s wildlife through verse.

Sue said Armitage’s poem Den helped shape the sculpture’s wild and feral energy, but it was a photograph by Heligan’s head of restoration Andy Wilson that truly captured the essence of the fox. “Andy’s stunning image of a fox mid-leap at Heligan became our core inspiration,” she said. “Lowarnes has her gaze set on you as her prey.”

The fox under construction(Image: Sue Hill/Facebook)

The fox’s eyes, made of polished stainless steel, reflect the viewer — a clever touch that makes you feel hunted as you look up at her.

“We’re thrilled,” Sue added. “She’s more than we imagined. We’re very, very proud.”

As time passes, the sculpture’s wood will fade to a silvery tone, mirroring the transformation of a vixen’s fur after motherhood — a subtle nod to the cycles of nature.

Laura Smit-Chesterfield, director of visitor experience and legacy at Heligan, said: “We are proud to be unveiling Lowarnes at Heligan. She is a glorious celebration of Heligan’s wildlife and testament to the imagination, artistry and skill of Sue, Pete and Hal. This piece is a statement of intent for Heligan: the ambition of the work is clear and she is emblematic of our excitement for the future.”