The Heathland Artworks Trail has returned for its ninth year at Farnham Heath.

Artists showcased their pieces at the site, which is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and answered questions from the audience, describing the inspiration for their work.

Many of the artists visited the heathland for the first time to seek inspiration, discussing with staff what stands out about the landscape before creating their unique pieces for the trail.

From sculptures of adders to heathland bird wind chimes, there is a wide variety of artists and mediums on display, keeping the trail both entertaining and engaging for visitors.

To launch the art trail, Farnham Town Mayor Cllr George Murray attended alongside Ali Clarke, programme manager at Surrey Hills Arts, who has helped organise and run the event.

Cllr George Murray said: “This is such a successful project as it addresses the aims of all three partners RSPB, UCA and Surrey Hills Arts. It has succeeded in delivering outdoor accessible contemporary art and supporting student and local artists whilst showcasing their talents to a new audience.”

The trail is a circular walk that takes about an hour to complete, encouraging people to visit the heath – a habitat rarer than the rainforest. The walk begins at the back of the Rural Life Living Museum car park and leads visitors through the heathland to see 15 different art pieces.

Historically, the area was used as a pine wood plantation to meet the timber needs of post-war Britain before being restored to its original heathland state. The RSPB has since worked to create habitats for native species such as Grayling butterflies, Woodlarks, Nightjars, and Sand Lizards.

Craft, Textile, and Fine Art students from the degree and masters courses at the University for the Creative Arts have created pieces focused on the heath’s wildlife, flora, and history.