Toppesfield Vineyard hosts landmark summer art and wine festival.

Toppesfield Vineyard hosted a unique three-day Sculpture & Wine Festival from 12-14 June 2026. The event brought together leading contemporary sculptors, award-winning fine English wine, and a rich artistic heritage in the north Essex countryside, just 20 minutes from Sudbury.

Held in collaboration with High Roding Art, the festival showcased work from seven carefully selected sculptors, displayed throughout the vineyard and the historic grounds of Bradfields, which was once home to renowned sculptor Michael Ayrton and a place frequently visited by Henry Moore.

Continuing this legacy, the festival was an excellent example of curated contemporary sculpture welcoming James Copper, Sculpture Conservator at the Henry Moore Foundation, and John Farnham, former assistant to Henry Moore – offering a rare connection between modern British sculpture and its heritage.

The event also featured a diverse group of artists including:

  • Billie Bond – figurative sculptor known for major public commissions 
  • James Copper – stone carver exploring time, material and emotion 
  • John Farnham – internationally influenced sculptor and former Henry Moore assistant 
  • Lucy Lutyens – nature-inspired sculptor rooted in heritage landscapes 
  • Peter Morris – ceramic artist creating reflective, conceptual works 
  • Tim Villiers – designer blending sculpture with fine materials and form 
  • David Beanland – multidisciplinary sculptor working across wood, stone and metal 

Set within a working vineyard, the festival offered visitors the opportunity to experience sculpture in a natural landscape, alongside tastings of Toppesfield wines and seasonal food from The Watering Place Café at Gainsborough’s House. A children’s sculpture workshop led by artist Claire Isles also encouraged creative exploration for younger visitors.

Peter Moore, co-owner of Toppesfield Vineyard ran vineyard tours at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Everyone is always fascinated by how much they learn from these tours about making and tasting English wines.

Commenting on the festival Jane Moore, co-owner and director at Toppesfield Vineyard, said: “There’s something special about seeing sculpture in the open landscape, I think it alters how you experience both the art and the surroundings. With Bradfields’ connection to artists like Michael Ayrton and Henry Moore, this felt like a natural way to continue that legacy while inviting people to discover English wine in a new way.”