About the Turrill Sculpture Garden

Opening hours for the Summertown Library and the Turrill Garden are as follows:

Monday, Friday 9.30 - 17.30, Tuesday, Thursday 9.30 - 19.00, Saturday 9.00 - 16.30 Wednesday, Sunday -Closed

Behind the Public Library in South Parade, Summertown, Oxford there is  a large sunny garden approximately 100ft by 60ft which nine years ago was transformed from an empty, overgrown and uninviting space into an attractive space for library users where people from near and far can see ever-changing sculpture exhibitions or just sit and enjoy the peace.

It is owned by Oxfordshire County Council who were delighted when shown suggestions for a scheme designed by Katherine Shock that could be used by the public to enhance the local facilities.   They also enthusiastically supported the idea of showing sculpture by living artists in this setting if funds could be raised for this purpose - you can link to some of the artists who have exhibited above.

A local family, who have traded in the area for many years as Shepherd and Woodward, came forward with sponsorship to enable us to build the garden. Their generosity was motivated by the love of gardening of their aunt, Miss Marjorie Turrill, who lived all her life at 245 Banbury Road, and her sister Betty Venables.  Betty was a plantswoman, who had to build two gardens from fields on Cumnor Hill, and then again at Cunliffe Close, where she lived for 14 years after being widowed and had a lovely small front and back garden.  It is called the Turrill Sculpture Garden in their memory.  

Other people in the area have also been generous in their support which has allowed the garden to become established.  The 'Forest of Oxford' scheme run by the Oxford City Council have paid for all the planting, which includes plants (with labeling) suitable for growing in North Oxford front gardens so that it can also be used by local residents as a reference garden and there are more details about the plants on the 'Friends' table by the door to the garden in Summertown Library.  

The garden was constructed by Ian Lattimore of Nor-Lye landscapes.

The Friends of the Turrill Sculpture Garden (originally known as the Summertown 2000 Society) has been established to help support and maintain the garden.

To add to its interest a local family also sponsored a quotation by Samuel Taylor-Coleridge laid out in carved lettering by the sculptor Martin Jennings around one of the paved areas and he designed a millennium date stone for the centrepiece:

The Grand Opening of the Turrill Garden took place on Saturday 8th April 2000.  The Chairman of the County Council, Councillor Harry Wyatt, together with The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Val Smith and Radio Oxford presenter, John Crowther cut the three ribbons opening the main paved area around the '2000' stone and the quotation from Samuel Taylor Coleridge and launched the garden with great enthusiasm.

The following photographs can be enlarged to show the garden from different angles and will be updated as the garden develops:

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We are still actively seeking support to make sure that the garden can be maintained permanently. All donations are used for this and to promote publicity for the garden and the sculptors.  As more serious buyers come to know that the Turrill Garden is a venue where fine sculpture can be found the more we feel we are supporting the talent shown there and in turn the relatively small commission we charge supports the garden.  We are aiming at plenty of press coverage (both local and national) which will give opportunities for publicity for sponsors.

Now that the garden is open to the public we hope that everyone will find a reason to enjoy it. Sandwiches at lunchtime, a peaceful spot to chat or read, a living reference library at your toes and a place to see sculpture in a living setting rather than in a museum.

We were very pleased that the Turrill Garden was chosen to receive one of the year 2000 Environmental Awards by the Oxford Preservation Trust.  The plaque awarded has been mounted on the wall in the garden.