Noon Columns

Outdoor Attractions, Walking Routes

Length: 5 miles / 8km each

Duration: 60 – 90 minutes each

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Direction: Circular

Accessibility: Please see The National Forest website for more details

Summary

These walks range from easy to moderate and around 5 miles duration, all within close proximity to Burton upon Trent in East Staffordshire. More information can be found on The National Forest website here.

In 2006, six mysterious pillars appeared in The National Forest. Known as Noon Columns, and part of the National Forest’s LANDshapes project the sculptures are the work of world-renowned artist David Nash.

The columns, each around 3 to 4m high, are carved from sustainable English Oak, and each reflect the character of the landscape in which it is situated. Jackson’s Bank, the most natural column represents the surrounding ancient woodland, and the column at Croxall Lakes the local flood plains of the River Trent. Whereas the carefully carved column at Grangewood is shaped like a church spire, and Bignall Wood’s column is displayed on golden sandstone representing the agricultural landscape. At Sence valley the blackened oak column references the area’s mining history, and Charnwood Forest’s column signifies the quarrying heritage of the area.

The Noon Columns are carved so that at true noon, a stream of sunlight shines through the vertical slot in the columns and casts a stream of sunlight in its shadow. The longest is stream of light can be seen at “True Noon” on mid-summer and the shortest at “True Noon” on mid-winter’s day. Providing the sun is shining that is!.

Highlights:

The Nash sculptures can be found within six National Forest walks in the East Staffordshire area:

Jackson’s Bank, Hoar Cross, East Staffordshire
Croxall Lakes, Alrewas, Staffordshire
Grangewood & Sisters Woodland walk, Neatherseal, Derbyshire
Bignall Woods, part of the Alistair’s, Bignall’s & Jaguar Lount Woods walks, Staunton Harold, Leicestershire
The Sence Valley Park, Ibstock, Leicestershire
Charnwood Forest walk, Billa Barra Hill Nature Reserve, Markfields, Leicestershire