New riverside artwork unveiled at Derwent Water
Members of West Cumbria Rivers Trust team with the artist, Daniel Weatheritt and the newly unveiled artwork at Derwent Water
West Cumbria Rivers Trust and the National Trust are delighted to unveil a striking new artwork at Barrow Bay on Derwent Water, celebrating the restoration of Barrow Beck and the importance of healthy rivers in the Derwent catchment.
Created by Northumbrian based artist Daniel Weatheritt, the artwork sits beside the footpath near Ashness Gate Pier, at the point where Barrow Beck flows into Derwent Water, close to the new boardwalk. The site was recently restored as part of the National Trust’s Riverlands programme, reconnecting the beck with its natural course and improving habitat for wildlife.
Rivers across England have been shaped and altered by centuries of human activity, and as a result the vast majority are not in good ecological health. According to data from The Rivers Trust, no river stretch in England achieves good overall health, and only around 15 % meet good ecological standards for supporting wildlife and natural processes. Many watercourses have been straightened, embanked or otherwise modified, meaning they no longer function as they would naturally and are less resilient to pollution, climate pressures and habitat loss. This sculpture at Barrow Bay aims to celebrate efforts to restore and revive freshwater habitats in the Derwent catchment.
Carved in oak and finished with wood stains, the sculpture takes the form of a layered storybook design. It reflects the movement of water through the landscape and the interconnected ecosystems that depend on healthy rivers. The piece features carvings inspired by the surrounding landscape and wildlife, including nearby landmarks such as Ashness Bridge, views across Derwent Water and Cat Bells alongside design elements focussed on water flow and associated flora and fauna.
At the centre of the sculpture is a small ‘storybook window’, framing a view through to the lake beyond and encouraging visitors to reflect on the journey water takes through the landscape.
The commission forms part of a wider engagement programme delivered jointly by the National Trust’s Riverlands Project and West Cumbria Rivers Trust, which works with communities to explore, understand and care for their rivers. Young people from West Cumbria Rivers Trust’s Youth Panel played a key role in workshopping the themes of the artwork through a creative workshop with the artist.
Artist, Daniel Weatheritt commented:
“The Drawn to Water sculpture has been an incredible opportunity to connect creatively with the Cumbrian landscape, celebrating the diversity of animal species and the important river habitat conservation work undertaken by these conservation trusts.
The artwork has proved to be the most complex hardwood piece I have designed and built to date, testing my traditional woodworking skills and encouraging me to learn new image-making techniques, including pyrography and treating wood with coloured stains.
I’m proud to see the sculpture installed on location at Derwentwater and would like to thank West Cumbria Rivers Trust’s Apprentice Team for their efforts during transportation and installation.”
A joint spokesperson for the National Trust and West Cumbria Rivers Trust said:
“We’re delighted to see this beautiful sculpture installed at Barrow Bay. It celebrates the story of river restoration at Barrow Beck and highlights how important healthy rivers are for wildlife, landscapes and communities. We’re especially pleased that local young people also joined a creative workshop with the artist, sharing ideas and inspiration that helped inform this piece. We hope it will be a meaningful and inspiring addition to this special place, complementing the sculptures already around the lake and giving visitors something new to discover.”
The installation also links with West Cumbria Rivers Trust’s Watery Walks, a series of self-guided trails celebrating rivers across west Cumbria. A new Derwent Water walk has been added to the collection, inviting visitors to explore the lake and surrounding landscape by foot, boat or bus. You can design your own walk around Derwent Water by downloading the map at:
www.westcumbriariverstrust.org/watery-walks
Together, the artwork and walking trail invite people to pause, reflect and discover the hidden stories of the rivers that flow through the Lake District landscape before reaching the lake.
This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.