Bringing Willow to Life: A Bespoke Willow Arch for Christmas at Bute Park

This project began not in the barn, but back in May, with an initial conversation around the brief with From the Fields — long before any willow was soaked or woven.

From the outset, this was a large-scale, public-facing commission that needed careful planning, collaboration, and structural thinking as well as craft.

From Brief to Design

The brief was to create a statement entrance feature for Christmas at Bute Park — a sculptural willow installation that would mark the start of the light trail and welcome visitors into the experience.

Together with From the Fields, we developed the concept of two individual willow trees meeting to form an arch. The structure needed to stand 3 metres high, sit comfortably within the park landscape, and crucially, withstand winds of up to 75mph over the winter season.

At this stage, the design work focused not just on form, but on feasibility:

• How the two structures would meet

• How they would be transported and installed

• How they would perform structurally in an exposed outdoor setting

It quickly became clear that the willow would need to be woven around a purpose-built internal steel framework.

Engineering & Fabrication

Once the design was agreed and signed off, the next step was sourcing the right fabricator — someone experienced in building structures for public events and installations.

I worked with Set Pieces, who fabricated the internal steel frames to specification, ensuring they were strong, stable, and suitable for outdoor use while remaining sympathetic to the organic form of the final piece.

The frames were built in August, allowing the project to move seamlessly into the making phase.

Sourcing the Willow

In September, it was time to source the material itself. That meant a road trip to Musgrove Willow, filling a very large van with carefully selected, sustainably grown willow chosen for strength, flexibility, and visual texture.

Material choice at this scale is critical — the willow needed to perform structurally as well as visually once woven around the steel framework.

The Making Process

Back in the barn, weaving began. Each tree was built as a separate structure, allowing for modular installation on site.

Using a combination of traditional willow weaving techniques and my signature sculptural random weave, I gradually built up each form — adding density where strength was required and openness where light would pass through.

Every stage was planned carefully, from weight distribution and wind resistance to transport logistics and on-site assembly.

Installation at Bute Park

Installation took place over two days on site. Positioning and securing the structures was the most technically challenging part of the project, requiring careful coordination and adjustment to ensure the two forms aligned correctly and met as intended.

Seeing the arch finally come together — knowing it would be the first feature visitors encounter on the light trail — was a real highlight.

Once dressed with additional willow and lighting, the sculpture truly came to life at dusk.

The Finished Sculpture

The completed willow arch now stands as a bespoke entrance feature for Christmas at Bute Park — a piece that combines traditional craft, contemporary sculpture, and engineered structure.

Handwoven, naturally textured, and illuminated after dark, it’s a project that reflects what’s possible when craft and collaboration come together at scale.

Commissioning Large-Scale Willow Work

This project is a great example of how willow can be used for public art, events, gardens, and architectural features, from sculptural entrances and installations to bespoke fencing and landscape structures.

If you’re planning an event or looking to commission a large-scale, natural statement piece, I’d love to talk.

📩 Commission enquiries: hello@hanmadewillow.co.uk
🌿 View more work: www.hanmadewillow.co.uk
🎥 Watch the behind-the-scenes video: