Barbara Hepworth Museum

Who knew that the abstract sculpture on the side of the John Lewis store on Oxford Street was by Barbara Hepworth, the UK’s grande dame of sculpture?
See her workshop and photos from her life before entering the gardens which are positively crowded with Hepworths. Erin was fond of the infant in wood which is an early work but already showcases Hepworth’s eye for movement and use of material.
Double up with the Tate St Ives for good value — do the Tate in the morning, get a pasty then join a guided tour at 1pm!

A slice of heaven in Cornwall. This is a place you must see regardless of weather. Hepworth bought it in 1940 & it became her home & studio thereafter. You can feel her presence there. So sad she died too soon.
Marvellous Tate Members get in free

You could wiz round the museum and gardens in 10 minutes flat and balk at the entry cost. But this would miss the point.
This is a place for gentle meandering, slow sauntering round the lush foliage-​embraced path that surrounds the gorgeous tropical gardens; view the sculptural works from different angles through the leafy gaps.
You will save a fortune on herbal massages and tranquiliser pills, just sit and absorb the cocoon like still and calmness of the luxuriant gardens, especially on a sunny day when the beams are diffused by the green leaves and stems.
And what a contrast with the hurley burly and throngs in Fore Street.
The museum also serves as a powerful memorial, a poignant reminder of Barbara Hepworth’s sad death after a fire in her workshop on 20 May 1975.
Definitely worth the trudge up to Barnoon Hill to find this hidden Garden of Eden (you could get a combined ticket for the Tate St Ives and have discount on the overall cost for both, a real cultural double dose to keep the senses stimulated, possible undoing all the good tranquility just achieved! Leave it to you).

This is a haven of piece. Barbara Hepworth created the sub-​tropical garden herself & it provided her with a show place for her amazing sculpture works. The garden is beautiful & her sculpures awesome & you can also see her restored studio. This is a magical place which I look forward to visiting again.

One of my favourite places in the world, this museum is in Barbra Hepworth’s old house, and has a sculpture garden, complete with flowers growing everywhere.
Its a great place to spend the day, and is both peaceful and beautiful