An exhibition called Ancient Woodland: A Celebration of Place is at the Allen Gallery in Alton until September 20.

It is an installation by environmental artists Mary Waltham and Jacqueline Amies inspired by the rich habitat of local ancient woodlands. The exhibition invites visitors to be curious about these rare and special areas to which people are fortunate enough to have access.

These distinctive and often small tracts of woodland have been largely untouched by humans since before 1600 and cover just 2.5 per cent of the UK.

Ancient woods are a continuing record of centuries of interaction and interdependence between man and woodland, often containing remnants of archaeological features such as wood banks, pits and charcoal kilns. These woods are also home to rich and diverse myths and folklore.

The artists responded to these woodland habitats using painting, printmaking and photography with a twist. Paintings made with soil and new ways to discover trees are among the interpretations.

A gentle woodland soundscape accompanies visitors to the gallery. Associated family activities are revealing some of the links between woodland resources and the gallery’s permanent collection. There is also a garden trail for visitors to enjoy.

The artists who created this work visited and studied ancient woodland sites in the area to find and share riches belonging to ancient woodland ecosystems.

Activities supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund accompany the exhibition and explore some of its themes.

These include creative clay workshops, a poetry reading afternoon, a visiting hand-made biodegradable photo book and a meet the artists session.

There will be opportunities to learn more about some of the stories behind the Allen Gallery’s permanent collections and some surprising connections with rural woodland sites and raw materials.

For more information about the exhibition visit https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/event/ancient-woodland-celebration-place