Following the Hoodwinked Sculpture Trail in Nottingham

Sculpture trail season has started in earnest with birds and animals flooding in to various cities around the UK like Noah’s animals to the ark. July has seen penguins take to the streets of Dundee, giraffes to Worcester, hares to Norwich, bees to Manchester, owls to Bath and Wallace and Gromit characters to Bristol. But if you’re going to bring a sculpture trail to Nottingham, there’s only one bird you could choose. With the link to local legend Robin Hood, yes… you guessed it, it has to be the robin! Enter the Hoodwinked Sculpture Trail

33 giant robin sculptures flew in to take up perch on the 7^th July and luckily they’ll stay in their nests till the 30^th September so there’s plenty of time for you to see them.

Called ‘Hoodwinked: A Twist on the Tale’, the robin trail is the latest take on the legendary Robin Hood stories which sees the mischievous outlaw constantly manoeuvring to outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. The Hoodwinked sculpture trail robins (as the title suggests) will do the same – all hiding in plain sight under superb bright and cheerful plumage to match the vibrancy of Nottingham’s streets. And like the famous outlaw, the robins are kitted out with the same cap and quiver.

As with all trails of its kind, the Hoodwinked sculpture trail robins are decorated by local and national artists and are sponsored by local businesses as a means of attracting more visitors to the city and boosting the local economy, while raising awareness and vital funds for the Nottinghamshire Hospice. The hospice is a charity that supports patients with terminal illnesses and their families and at the end of the trail the robins will be auctioned off to add to the funds raised.

The Hoodwinked sculpture trail is the brainchild of leading public art company Wild in Art who have created numerous high-quality and innovative sculpture trails and other public art events across the globe. Their aims above those listed above are to “entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy” and are noted for the level of engagement and participation they engender. You only have to look at their social media presence and that of trending hashtags (#hoodwinked2018) to see the huge success these trails have.

So if you plan on visiting the playground of Robin Hood in the next couple of months, you’ll most likely bump into a 5ft robin or ten. Consider downloading the mobile app for 99p which will help you locate each robin and as you unlock them using codes from the robin plinths, the app treats you to rewards and special deals from many of the local businesses that have sponsored a robin.

Unlike all other Wild in Art trails I’ve followed in the past, the Hoodwinked sculpture trail is far more compact and can easily be done on foot in a single day if you’re adventurous. All the sculptures are in the city centre with the exception of The City Ground Robin located at Nottingham Forest Football Ground, which despite being a tad further out, is still in walking distance. So many other trails require a car and/or much longer to get round them all.

I chose to spend two days in Nottingham scouting out the robins as I wanted to take it easy and see and do other things en route including popping in to various churches and sampling the local delicacies in various cafes and restaurants, not to mention engaging in a spot of retail therapy or two. I also spend way too long at each sculpture taking photos so 2 days worked well.

Here’s just some of the fantastic art work you’ll see on the trail as well as other attractions you’ll discover along the way. The Hoodwinked sculpture trail is perfect for people who aren’t that familiar with or are new to the city as it helps you explore areas you may not have otherwise ventured to; yet another great bonus to these trails. I have been to Nottingham twice before but hadn’t discovered half the places I found through Hoodwinked.

One such place was the Lace Market area of Nottingham and the first area I explored as I parked in Lace Market car park. Going in search of robins 8 and 9 on the trail map, I found a road called High Pavement which is littered with attractions worth visiting. At the entrance to High Pavement is the Weekday Cross which marks the place of the original market in pre-Norman Conquest times.

Beyond is Nottingham Contemporary, one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK and the National Justice Museum which is located in the city’s old courthouse and gaol. It’s a museum I wasn’t even aware existed. Though I didn’t get chance to go in this time, I fully intend to on my return trip to Nottingham in September.

Outside the National Justice Museum I found Lacework whose red and white lace design celebrates the city’s lace making heritage. Prior to following the Hoodwinked sculpture trail, I was unaware of the city’s link to lace making, so the trail certainly proved to be very educational.

Opposite Lacework is the ‘almost cathedral’ of St Mary’s Church which was originally designated for Nottinghamshire’s cathedral before Southwell Minster was chosen for the Bishop’s seat. Make sure you allow time to pop in as it is a stunning building and very ‘cathedral-esque’ in appearance. Note the lion and unicorn sculptures just inside the entrance as well as the fabulous solid bronze south porch door.

I also returned to High Pavement for an evening meal at Iberico World tapas which was recommended to me by so many people on social media that I just had to try it out. The food was superb so I can now emphatically recommend it myself if you like your tapas.

In the neighbouring area of Hockley, I was particularly enamoured by the design and colours of Stage Flight, though the imagery on his breast didn’t mean anything to me as I hadn’t yet seen the huge ‘sky mirror’ landmark outside the Nottingham Playhouse that the design draws its inspiration from. Here the information plaque that accompanies each sculpture proved insightful. The silver glittery paint used on the robin is reflective and mimics the theme of reflection that the ‘sky mirror’ at the theatre explores – the idea of the plays that are produced there being a mirror held up to society. I was surprised this robin wasn’t placed outside the theatre itself but it does mean that the Playhouse is introduced to a wider audience – to those who wouldn’t normally walk past the theatre. So on second thoughts it’s clever placing on the organiser’s part.

The fact that there is a robin located outside the Playhouse did mean I got to see the ‘sky mirror’ in the flesh later the next day and I loved the plumage on this one. Called Independence, the design represents the traditional crafts of India and Pakistan and their shared celebration of the mandala and elephant prevalent in both cultures.

Round the corner from the Playhouse is the beautiful architecture of Albert Hall, which in turn stands opposite the Catholic Cathedral of St Barnabus built in the 19^th century gothic revival style, both worth looking out for on the Hoodwinked sculpture trail.

I was introduced to another prominent Nottingham theatre – the Theatre Royal, through Tigguo Cobauc whose unusual title is an ancient name for Nottingham meaning “the place of caves”. His plumage features enchanted stories of Nottingham’s past including secret caves and passageways and the major oak of Sherwood Forest. I loved his oldy worldy imagery, but what made me smile most was how he was perched looking at the aptly named sandwich shop: ‘Peckish’.

The major oak in Sherwood Forest features heavily in the Hoodwinked sculpture trail robin located outside Hart’s Hotel. Actually called Major Oak, the robin features the bark and leaves of the ancient oak found in the forest and hides many forest creatures including a woodpecker which hammers at his quiver. The leaves around his face also draw inspiration from Green Man sculptures that are associated with Robin Hood. If you’re unsure what a Green Man is, it is essentially the depiction of a male face surrounded by or constructed from leaves and if you want to read more about the Green Man and what he symbolises, check out the Enigma of the Green Man website.

Green Man imagery is utilised in two other robins on the trail. The first called The Green Heart of the City drew my attention to an intriguing feature of the city: Nottingham’s 50 Green Flag designated parks and open spaces. You may initially be drawn to the big heart on his breast, but make sure you check out his wings as they detail the names of the 50 parks that combine to create ‘green corridors’ for bees and other pollinating insects to move around the city. Also note the lacy effect created by these as well as the edging on the heart – yet another robin to pay tribute to Nottingham’s lace making heritage.

The second, called Green Man of Sherwood Forest is located in Trinity Square and heavily disguises the green man’s face on each wing so only from the sides do you notice his face. On one side he’s even winking, much like the robin himself – a double Hoodwink with robin and ‘Man’ in disguise. This robin is one of only a few that choose not to emphasise the eyes and beak, instead disguising them in the design.

A Bird in the Hand is another leafy robin that does the same. I loved spotting all the creatures hiding amongst his leaves including a robin or two.

Of all the sculptures on the Hoodwinked sculpture trail though, the busy foliage of Nottingham Forest made the facial features the hardest to pick out. Mission accomplished oh master of disguise!

Although I enjoyed seeing lots of rural designs which I expected in Nottingham with its link to Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, I was happy to see a few architecture based designs to celebrate the beautiful buildings in the city.

Bobbin was actually the first robin I encountered on the Hoodwinked sculpture trail and looks very chic with his depiction of the industrial architecture of the Lace Market, finished off beautifully with lace detail around his head and wings.

Where’s Robin? is a take on ‘Where’s Wally’ and hides Robin Hood characters amongst the Nottingham cityscape. The iconic Council House that is painted on the front of the robin stands opposite its real-life counterpart in Market Square and again shows great positioning by the Hoodwinked sculpture trail team.

There are several robins located on or near the Market Square but make sure while you’re there you poke your head into the front of the Council house as the foyer is a beauty.

Some of the more unique robins to appear on the Hoodwinked sculpture trail are Rocket Robin whose form has been adapted to resemble the shape of a rocket; a cool disguise if you ask me… and the beautiful mosaic Royal Robin Redbreast that stands proud outside the station.

I have never arrived in Nottingham by train and am unlikely to as I tend to drive, so unlike many visitors I would never have discovered the lovely architecture of the station building without the trail.

Then there are those robins with a wry sense of humour… R2Tweet2 clearly wants a starring role in the next Star Wars movie and is the best named robin on the trail according to Mr TJG, but then he is a huge Star Wars nut!

It was the Read all about it Robin which amused me the most though with its “Stop Press” notice on his back. ‘5 ft Bird Seen in City’ – you don’t say… Totally absurd by news standards but very true!

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Sheriff of Nottingham. This robin takes on the plumage of the lesser loved crow to portray the greed and tyranny of the Sheriff from the Robin Hood legend. Complete with evil eye slits, he has a very dark demeanour and it’s perhaps no mistake that he’s been placed guarding the entrance to Nottingham castle, currently closed to the public (till 2020) due to a huge restoration project. This is a huge shame as it’s a wonderful attraction but it lends itself to the Hoodwinked tale – the evil Sheriff stopping all from entering, how dare he? This is one robin you can’t hoodwink!

There are many more robins dotted around the city centre but I’ll let you discover those for yourself. The Hoodwinked sculpture trail certainly provides a great way of exploring Nottingham. In addition to those buildings and attractions I’ve already mentioned, I was also introduced to Sneinton Market which due to its position not being bang central, I probably wouldn’t have visited without the robins. This is marketed as Nottingham’s newest and hip place to shop. You can pick up all sorts of quirky gifts from a wealth of local creatives whilst indulging in a great coffee, a craft beer and some delicious fare from a number of cracking eateries. You’ll also find the city’s dancing fountains here which are proving particularly popular in the current hot weather. Even I took my shoes off for a paddle.

From the walk to Sneinton, I spotted the sails of a windmill on the horizon and after a quick internet search I learnt of Green’s Mill and Science Centre, a fully restored and working windmill which I drove to on my second day to investigate.

It probably would have taken me many more trips to Nottingham before I stumbled across the Emett Clock, discovered the street art in Hockley or wandered down the canal, all of which i did on the Hoodwinked sculpture trail.

I walked miles criss-crossing the city, nicely clocking up my step count for the week and while doing so, regularly indulged in some retail therapy. I discovered the delightful Bird & Blend Tea Company, spending a fortune on loose leaf tea (I’m a huge tea fan) and stumbled across so many cafes and restaurants I want to try next time I’m back in the city.

I think I clearly demonstrate the success of the project’s aims – to showcase the city, to be an educational tool, to get people out and about exercising and discovering new places and to boost the local economy; all the while raising money for the Nottinghamshire Hospice.

You can pick up your trail leaflet from the tourist information centre just round the corner from the Council House entrance. I can also recommend purchasing the full colour souvenir brochure for £4.00 which dedicates a full page to each robin with information about the design, artist, location and sponsor and is accompanied by fantastic images. In addition, learn where you can find all the BookBenches that have been created as part of the Hoodwinked education and learning programme within local schools. I saw three of them at the Victoria Shopping Centre, but there are 55 to see at 19 different locations. There’s also a ‘thank you’ from Nottinghamshire Hospice and details about what the funds raised are helping to achieve.

The Hoodwinked sculpture trail really is a worthwhile project and I hope you have as much fun scouting out the robins and discovering Nottingham as I did.

So, what you waiting for – get out there and join all the others who are trying to get beak-to-beak with good ole Robin. Will you manage it or will you be hoodwinked?

I leave you with a little snippet of all 33 sculptures! Let me know how many you spot in the comments below!

Further Reading:

If you’re into your sculpture trails like me, check out some of the others I’ve followed:

Let’s Go Quackers Ducks in Ironbridge, Shropshire

Worcester Stands Tall Giraffes in Worcester

Herd of Sheffield Elephants in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Go Herdwick Sheep through the Lake District, Cumbria: in Windermere, Bowness & Ambleside and in Keswick & Grasmere

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