The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail has seen off competition from some of the country's best loved natural locations to be named the most scenic running route in the UK, this September 2024.
The contemporary art trail set in the heart of the ancient woodland came out on top of a leader board based on research by shopping comparison platform, Idealo, into the number of Instagram and TikTok posts of the trail, which is a popular spot for walking, running and cycling in the Dean.
The four-mile route near Beechenhurst has exhibited works by leading artists from around the world that are inspired by the natural landscape for more than 40 years.
Notable current works on the trail include the ancient mining-inspired 'Threshold' by Natasha Rosling; steam-bent oak bench 'Meander' by Kristina Veasey; and the Forest of Dean stone 'Cone and Vessel' by Peter Randall-Page, with past favourites including the wooden 'Place' — known locally as the Giant's Chair — by Magdalena Jetelová.
The trail is free to visit and attracts more than 300,000 visitors every year.
The attraction saw off competition from other scenic routes like Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Box Hill in Surrey, Malvern Hills in Worcester and Cannock Chase in Stafford.
The trail has the highest number of Instagram posts of the top attractions, with 348,999 in total — nearly 40,000 more than second placed Arthur's Seat.
It also came second in the TikTok ranking, with 6,931 posts, behind only Mam Tor and the Great Ridge in Sheffield.
Idealo is one of the UK and Europe's leading shopping and comparison websites, helping consumers to find the best deals on everything from electronics and homewares to cars and flights.
