Entrust Sculpture at Derwentwater

Overview

The Entrust sculpture, also known as ‘the hands sculpture’, is an impressive wooden carving of two hands together in a cupping movement. The sculpture is by local artist John Merrill and can be found on the shores of Derwentwater at Brandelhow, near Keswick in the Lake District.

It’s a great sight to tick off on an art trail of the Lake District National Park and a place to stop off and admire on a walk around Derwentwater. Children will love posing in the hands, which are a fantastic photo opportunity for couples or solo travellers. Even dogs have been seen sitting in these hands! Visiting the Entrust sculpture is completely free of charge.

Entrust is a sharp contrast to the surrounding natural landscapes and provides a surreal surprise for hikers exploring Derwentwater. Imagine walking through the woodland and discovering two giant hands rising from the ground!

What does the Entrust sculpture represent?

Brandelhow Park was the first place in the Lake District to be designated a protected area back in 1902, when the National Trust purchased it. The Entrust sculpture was created to mark 100 years since this purchase and is located just down the lakeshore from here.

The land was purchased with public funds raised through subscriptions. One of the founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, planted a tree to mark the official opening of Brandelhow to the public in 1902.

Most of the land around Derwentwater is now looked after by the National Trust.

Where is the Entrust sculpture?

The Entrust sculpture is on the lakeshore at Brandelhow Park. Sometimes the hands are moved to a slightly different position due to rising water from the lake during times of heavy rain.

If you’re travelling by boat on one of the cruises on Derwentwater, like the Keswick Launch, the nearest stop to the Entrust sculpture is Low Brandelhow Jetty, approximately ten minutes away on foot.

Or if you fancy a longer stroll, you can alight at High Brandelhow or Hawes End jetties instead.

The making of the Entrust sculpture

The giant hands of the Entrust sculpture are crafted from reclaimed greenheart, a tropical hardwood that is native to Guyana’s rainforests. It’s a very tough wood that’s often used for construction or in commercial settings.

The sculpture was created by John Merrill in collaboration with the Borrowdale communities, the National Trust, the North Lakes Council Planning Department, and English Nature.

Free things to do nearby

Brandelhow Park

The Entrust sculpture is situated in Brandelhow Park. Brandelhow Park and Estate is 108 acres of land, featuring woodland, fields, and wetlands, which make it a fantastic habitat for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled here for deer, red squirrels, and herons. The park is at the foot of Catbells, one of the popular fells in the Lake District.

Brandelhow Park is a great spot to indulge in a spot of lunch. Why not prepare a picnic in the self-catering kitchen at YHA Keswick and bring it with you?

There’s an easy 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometre) circular walking route around here which starts at Hawse End jetty. Around half of the walk is wheelchair accessible, so you could do an out-and-back route instead.

Derwentwater walks

The Entrust sculpture is an interesting sight to tick off during a walk around Derwentwater. You can walk the whole of the way around the shore on flat, easy paths. The route is waymarked, making navigation simple, and you can enjoy a mix of ancient woodland, pebbled beaches, and spectacular views over one of the area’s most beautiful lakes.

The walk is 10 miles (16 kilometres) in total and takes between five and six hours at a leisurely pace.

Hundred Year Stone

If you love sculptures, you’re spoilt for choice here, as there’s another one nearby. The Hundred Year Stone is on the other side of Derwentwater in Calfclose Bay, just off Broomhill Point.

The sculpture was created by Peter Randall-Page in 1995 to commemorate the centenary year of the founding of the National Trust. The sculpture is carved from a volcanic rock boulder and shows ten segments to symbolise ten decades.

How to get to the Entrust Sculpture from YHA Keswick

Because the Entrust sculpture is not near the roadside, the best way to get there from YHA Keswick is to catch the Keswick Launch to Low Brandelhow Jetty. From here, it’s just a short walk (around ten minutes) to the hands. The Keswick Launch jetty is less than a mile from YHA Keswick.

On foot: Leave the car behind for your day out on Derwentwater. From the Youth Hostel, it’s around a 14-minute walk to the Keswick Launch jetty.

By bike: You can cycle to the jetty in six minutes. However, please be aware that you’ll be unable to take your bike on board due to limited deck space.

By car: It’s just a four-minute drive to the Keswick Launch jetty from YHA Keswick. The nearest car park is Lakeside Car Park, a pay and display car park located just a three-minute walk from the main jetty. The car park takes coins, cash, and mobile phone payments.