An Awhesyth

An Awhesyth is a large-scale land artwork and outdoor learning space imagined by artist and conservationist Andrew Whittle for Trevisker Community meadow, Padstow.

Measuring 16 metres in diameter, 3 metres deep, and 26 metres long, An Awhesyth descends into the ground disappearing beneath a rising wildflower meadow.

Built using locally sourced slate and traditional North Cornwall techniques, the sculpture commemorates the return of skylarks to the rewilded landscape, where numbers have increased from just two birds to thirty-six by 2025, while also creating new vertical hedge habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Designed from the perspective of a ground-nesting bird, the spiralling form places visitors within the height of the meadow itself — immersed amongst grasses, soil, and birdsong.

The work will contain astronomical alignments mapped in collaboration with archaeoastronomer Carolyn Kennet, connecting the sculpture to seasonal movement, ancient landscape traditions, and cycles of time.

Last year, CREST spent a few days up at Trevisker Community Meadow, teaching the basics of slate hedging to Andrew and his community volunteers. Since then I’ve been working with him to bring the original concept of ‘An Awhensyth’ to life. Whilst the full design is not quite finalised, the first stage comprising of a seating area and learning space will commence in late June. This site provides us with a unique training space to teach traditional and ancient skills within the framework of a modern and creative arena.