There are projects that allow us to celebrate craftsmanship, woodland storytelling, and place-making all at once — and our recent commission for Kingston Lacy in Dorset was exactly that.
This beautiful National Trust estate, known for its grand architecture and enchanted grounds, commissioned us to create a bespoke carved wooden entrance arch to welcome visitors into one of their seasonal displays.
And what a joy of a project it turned out to be.
⭐ A Bespoke Arch Inspired by Nature, Myth & Woodland Creatures
Our Fantasy Carved Woodland Arch — the same design featured here:
👉 https://freerangingdesigns.com/products/fantasy-carved-woodland-arch-bespoke-handcrafted-entrance-archway
…was crafted from solid timber and brought to life with hand-carved wildlife, leaves, birds and playful details hidden throughout the design. Every motif was chosen to echo the natural beauty of the Kingston Lacy estate — a place where heritage, trees, and wildlife are woven together.
⭐ “The arch is here and looking fantastic!”
When the arch arrived onsite, we received this lovely message from Sarah Dean, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager at Kingston Lacy:
“I just wanted to email to say the arch is here and looking fantastic! Thank you so much 😊 We will be doing the set dressing over the next few days and then I will send you a photo of it in place. John was great with the delivery too.”
A few days later, once the team had completed the installation and set dressing, Sarah followed up:
“Thanks again for the arch, we’ve finished the set dressing and it looks fantastic! So many visitors are already enjoying having their photos taken underneath. Great to work with you!”
Knowing that the arch is already becoming a joyful photo spot for visitors — children, families, couples, and Christmas explorers — means the world to us.
⭐ Crafting a Piece for a Place of History
Kingston Lacy is a remarkable setting: a grand 17th-century house framed by ancient trees, sweeping lawns, and winding footpaths. It’s a place where imagination feels close to the surface.
Designing an archway for such a location meant creating something:
- Playful yet elegant
- Woodland-inspired yet sculptural
- Large enough to frame the house behind it
- Durable enough for year-round visitor use
Hand-carved owls, squirrels, badgers, birds and flowing leaves wrap around the arch, creating movement and storytelling from every angle.
The result is a piece that feels as though it grew from the landscape itself.
⭐ A Celebratory Entrance for Seasonal Events
The arch now stands proudly at the entrance to one of Kingston Lacy’s seasonal experiences — a backdrop for:
- Visitor photographs
- Festive trails
- Public events
- National Trust displays
- Family memories
We love seeing how different organisations use our woodland arches to transform spaces into something immersive and magical.
Whether marking a gateway, framing a landscape, or creating a moment of wonder, an arch can completely reshape the atmosphere of a place.
⭐ See the Arch for Yourself
If you’d like to explore the design behind the Kingston Lacy arch, you can find the piece here:
👉 Fantasy Carved Woodland Arch – Bespoke Handcrafted Entrance Archway
https://freerangingdesigns.com/products/fantasy-carved-woodland-arch-bespoke-handcrafted-entrance-archway
You can also browse our full collection of sculptural outdoor pieces, storytelling furniture, and carved installations for estates, parks, schools and public spaces.
⭐ A Huge Thank You to the Kingston Lacy Team
To Sarah Dean and the wonderful staff at Kingston Lacy — thank you for trusting us with this project.
It was a privilege to create a piece that now greets visitors to such a beautiful and historic site.
We look forward to seeing the official photographs once they’re released — and we hope the arch continues to frame thousands of smiles in the months and years ahead.
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