Visitor records have been smashed and many high-value sculptures have been sold at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester.

Some 5,000 visitors have flocked through the gates of the sculpture park since the launch of FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition on April 1.

The figure exceeds visitor numbers for the same period in 2019 by 212 per cent.

With more than 200 sculptures by 30 top sculptors brought together in the open-air setting, FORM has attracted many art collectors and buyers too, with sales of both large-scale sculptures and gallery pieces being made.

Larger sales include Celeste by Simon Gudgeon, Adam by Lucianne Lassalle, and Hello Handsome by Ted Edley.

For smaller works, Carol Peace, Paul Harvey, and Adam Binder have all been popular.

The event has been created and curated by Simon Gudgeon, an acclaimed sculptor and the owner and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes at Pallington.

He said: “This inaugural exhibition has been even more popular than we’d hoped, completely selling out most days so far, which is fantastic – and it has also been a huge success in terms of our longer-term vision for FORM.

“We set out to create not only an exciting, enriching experience for our visitors but to give people from even further afield that rare opportunity to view available sculptures by many fantastic contemporary sculptors together in a natural setting that enhances rather than diminishes their power.

“We are thrilled to see our vision for FORM as a real ‘destination’ to view and buy sculpture becoming a reality.”

Some 100 monumental outdoor sculptures are awaiting discovery in the sculpture park’s 26-acre landscape of lakes, rivers, gardens, and woodlands, along with more than 100 gallery pieces, ranging in price from £1,000 to £300,000.

There is still time to see it for yourself before the exhibition closes on Sunday May 16.

This final week, from May 12, The Dorset Garden Festival takes place.

The extra event will showcase more than 30 exhibitors offering everything from plants to tools to garden furniture.

There will also be ad hoc talks and tours of the park with its botanic and kitchen gardens, created by Monique Gudgeon, Head Gardener and co-founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, pictured with Simon.

Daily visitor numbers have been reduced and capped to ensure social distancing.

Tickets, priced at £12.50 – the standard price of entry to Sculpture by the Lakes – must be booked in advance.

For more information visit gallerybythelakes.co.uk/form