Jupiter Artland Visitor Guide

By Craig Neil. This post includes affiliate links.

Jupiter Artland is a modern art sculpture garden and art gallery situated in the grounds of Bonnington House near Edinburgh.

The outdoor art installation features works by Charles Jencks and other top British artists which is the reason why Jupiter Artland is regarded as one of the finest privately-owned modern art collections in the UK.

Map

Overview

I don’t know about you but I love getting surprises, whether it’s an unexpected birthday bash, a winning scratchcard or that rarest of treats, an extra chicken McNugget in my Saturday night munch box (who doesn’t love free McNuggets?).

So it was with great pleasure that I happened to stumble upon Jupiter Artland recently, a contemporary sculpture park near Edinburgh that gave me one of the biggest surprises I’ve had in a long time.

I wasn’t even purposefully going there as my original intention had been to take the A71 off the Edinburgh bypass and head in the direction of Livingston and its enormous shopping centre.

What stopped me from giving my credit card yet another unnecessary workout was a small sign near the junction of the B7015 that simply read ‘Jupiter Artland‘.

This cryptic sign was intriguing enough to make me give up my dreams of retail therapy and go explore this previously unheard-of attraction instead.

What I found as I made my way through the entrance gate was a sprawling outdoor contemporary sculpture park where nature and man-made designs collide in a collection of thought-provoking artworks.

Enormous landscaped mounds rise serpentine-like out of the ground in gently sweeping arcs separated by giant pools of water, while bizarre sculptures – some made from concrete, others from metal – can be glimpsed through the broad leaves of thick woodland.

In the middle of the trees, a grand stately home can be seen lording it up over the artworks and in the opposite direction, wide-open fields of grass circle the park interspersed with a variety of decorative trees and yet more sculptures.

It’s a surreal place to be sure, but it’s also utterly unique and it seems to have gone above and beyond in its efforts to bring modern art to family members of all ages, which I reckon is something that’s definitely worth applauding.

The highlights

1: I can pretty much guarantee you won’t find anywhere else quite like this unusual visitor attraction.

2: Jupiter Artland encourages art appreciation for children and there are frequent talks and workshops held on-site.

3: You don’t need to be an art snob to enjoy these artworks and all members of the family will enjoy the land sculptures.

Visiting tips

1: You’re not allowed to take picnics into the grounds but the on-site café is excellent – though expensive. I recommend the Livingston shopping centre if you would like a cheaper meal.

2: You can take the bus to get to the park (#27 from Edinburgh), but driving your own car is much faster. The address is: The Steadings, Bonnington House, Wilkieston, Edinburgh EH27 8BY. Driving from the city centre to Jupiter Artland takes around 35 minutes.

3: Note that dogs are allowed to accompany owners around the site but only through the dog membership scheme. Membership is around £25 per year which allows unlimited revisits during the open season (May to October).

Tourist information

Jupiter Artland was founded just ten years ago by two art-loving philanthropists who were keen to provide a space for the public to see art and landscape sculptures.

To that end, the Jupiter Artland Foundation was set up and the park was created inside 100 acres of meadow and woodland in the grounds of Bonnington House, a grand 19th-century country house located 4 miles west of Edinburgh.

Those visitors who don’t have access to a car may struggle as there are no trains to Jupiter Artland, although there is a bus stop near the entrance. Buses run from Edinburgh city centre to the Coxydene stop on the B7015, and journeys take around 45 minutes.

While the house is off-limits to the public the surrounding grounds are open to exploring at your leisure, with the first sculpture ‘Love Bomb’ sited just a few yards from the car park.

This enormous 12-metre structure depicts the bizarre form of a modified orchid, impossibly vibrant in colour and looking for all the world like I’d expect a triffid to look if one suddenly stepped out of the pages of John Wyndhams ‘Day of the Triffids’

Love Bomb gives a good taste of what you can expect from a visit to Jupiter Artland because it’s so weird you can’t stop staring at it – just like the ‘Weeping Girls’ that you’ll find hiding in the woodland near the great house.

These sculptures all feature young girls in nightgowns, faces covered in thick matted hair, and to my mind they look like that freaky girl in the movie ‘The Ring’ and they’re genuinely creepy even in the middle of the day.

God only knows what it would be like to walk through the woods late at night and stumble into one of them.

You can probably guess by now that I’m no art critic but I can at least tell you what seeing Jupiter Artland’s sculptures is like from a layman’s perspective, and I have to be honest – I really enjoyed my visit.

You don’t need an appreciation of art to enjoy this visitor attraction because it’s such a nice place to be in, especially the Charles Jencks landforms and I saw more than one family just sitting on the grass looking out over the pools of water to enjoy the warmth of the summer sun.

The landforms are the first thing you’ll see when you enter the park and they’re by far the largest sculptures on the site, although they’re possibly followed a close second by ‘Rivers’, a boathouse used to store specimens of water from all over the UK that’s set in a tranquil pond and country meadow.

Other sculptures include a sombre graveyard surrounded by concrete walls and a woodland where giant stones are suspended inside the limbs of trees, all of which are interspersed by smaller works that are guaranteed to make you stop for a little quiet contemplation.

All in all, this attraction is a lovely diversion from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh and it has to be one of, if not the, best places to see modern art in southern Scotland.

While the National Gallery of Modern Art is worth a visit as well (and also features a landform sculpture by Charles Jencks) it’s a little bit stuffy compared to Jupiter Artland and obviously isn’t as nice to walk around when the sun’s shining, though it’s arguably easier to get to from the city centre.

That being said you could easily spend an entire afternoon at Jupiter Artland which would be helped no end by the fact that the on-site café is absolutely amazing and has some of the most delicious homemade cakes I’ve ever had the privilege of demolishing.

Unfortunately, the café closes for winter but opens again in May which is when I suggest you visit anyway as it’s a little quieter than in summer and the gardens are starting to explode with colour.

There are exhibitions and special events held throughout the year so you’ll likely find something of interest whenever you decide to visit but you might want to check the ‘What’s On‘ section of their website for times of up-and-coming talks, tours, and workshops before you leave home.

If you’d like to explore a historic attraction after visiting Jupiter Artland you’ll find the New Lanark World Heritage Site 25 miles away and Rosslyn Chapel 14 miles away.

Things to do

Explore the Sculpture Park: Jupiter Artland, set within the picturesque 100-acre woodland of Bonnington House, features more than 30 permanent sculptures from artists worldwide. Wandering the park, you’ll encounter everything from enormous earth installations to intricate, whimsical sculptures.

Participate in a Workshop: Jupiter Artland offers a variety of art workshops, adding a hands-on, educational element to your visit. Whether you’re interested in pottery or painting, there’s a workshop to suit your interests, most of which are led by professional artists.

Join a Festival: The annual Jupiter Rising is an artist-led festival that celebrates art and live music over 2 days. Camp on the grounds amongst the permanent collection, attend discussions, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Note that tickets are limited to just 1,000 people for the event.

Attend an Event: Throughout the year, Jupiter Artland hosts live performances, dining experiences, arts and crafts workshops, and much more besides. These events are often site-specific and take advantage of Jupiter Artland’s unique landscapes and installations. Check the official website before your visit to see what’s coming up next.

Cafe: After exploring the art world, relax with some locally sourced food from the fantastical Café Party. If you’re looking for a more formal lunch choice during your time at Jupiter Artland, consider stopping at this veritable temple to fine cuisine and the visual arts.

Facts

A Unique Outdoor Museum: Jupiter Artland is an outdoor sculpture park located just outside Edinburgh within the 100-acre estate of Bonnington House.

Designed by Renowned Artists: The park features works by several internationally acclaimed artists, including Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, and Cornelia Parker. Each artist was given free rein to choose a location on the estate to create a site-specific work.

The Woodland Walk: One of the most striking features of Jupiter Artland is the woodland walk designed by British artist Ian Hamilton Finlay. This walk includes numerous sculptures and installations integrated with the natural environment.

The Life Mounds: Charles Jencks’ Life Mounds is one of the most iconic installations at Jupiter Artland. These terraced, spiralling mounds represent cells and are a symbolic representation of life’s journey.

The Love Bomb: Another significant installation is Marc Quinn’s Love Bomb, an enormous orchid sculpture that stands as a symbol of beauty, love, and transience.

Things to do nearby

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena. South Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA. 7-minute drive.
A climbing centre built into the walls of a quarry that allows visitors of all experience levels to scale a variety of ascents. The centre also has an assault course and a well-equipped gym.

Military Museum Scotland. Legion Hall, Wilkieston, Kirknewton EH27 8DU. 3-minute drive.
A highly-rated privately-run museum that takes visitors through the history of the British military over the last hundred years. The museum features exhibits, displays and military artefacts.

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park. Almond Lodge, Broxburn EH52 5PE. 16-minute drive.
Large country park midway between Edinburgh and Livingstone that offers walking and cycling trails. It is also frequently used for horse riding.

Five Sisters Zoo. Gavieside, West Calder EH55 8PT. 13-minute drive.
A family-oriented zoo that has a collection of animals from meerkats to woodland bears. There is also a play park, a restaurant and regular keeper demonstrations throughout the day.

Livingston Designer Outlet. Almondvale Ave, Livingston EH54 6QX. 12-minute drive.
One of the largest shopping malls in Scotland with over 70 large stores. As well as designer clothes the mall has restaurants, cafés, an 8-screen cinema and an adventure golf course.

Frequently asked questions

Related posts