Imaginative arts

Make a date to visit Basildon Park this month to enjoy a spectacular exhibition. The grounds of Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, are the setting for Wayfaring.

This is a free outdoor installation and performance space created in the grounds of this country house, by artists Mandy Dike and Ben Rigby, who work together as And Now.

As the name poetically inspires, Wayfaring is an artistic journey of exploration, inspired by the landscape and ancient routes of the Icknield Way, a pre-Roman pathway running from north Norfolk to the Dorset coast. Basildon Park, where the North Wessex Downs meets the Chilterns, sits on the edge of the route.

Usually visitors pay to enter Basildon Park’s beautiful parklands – but on the 18th, 19th and 20th July entry is free.

The journey begins in the park, where you can contribute to the artwork, with materials found by Mandy, Ben and their team and a group of volunteers and local schoolchildren.

On the evening of Saturday, 21st July, at 7pm, fire, pyrotechnics, live music and performance will light up the installation in a rousing celebration. The audience will play an active part in Wayfaring – walking, looking, listening, maybe even singing. This event is an exciting opportunity to create an amazing journey for audiences in a very special location.

Wayfaring is the culmination of a three-year artistic and heritage collaboration between And Now: and the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

This project will provide a stepping stone to transform natural locations with imaginative arts events.

www.wayfaring.org.uk