Meet the foxes coming to Foxes Forest
To mark National Fox Day on 17 September, we’re excited to share a first look at the fox sculptures that will be arriving at Foxes Forest next spring.
Earlier this year Portsmouth City Council invited local artists to submit designs for a new family-friendly sculpture trail through Portsmouth’s island woodland. Following a competitive selection process, local artist Midge was chosen to create the characters that will bring the trail to life.
Midge’s three character designs will be brought to life as 18 wooden sculptures. Each character will appear six times along the trail, creating a playful fox family for visitors to spot as they explore the woodland.
The sculptures are currently being handcrafted by chainsaw artist Chris Bain, who is carefully carving each fox from sustainably sourced oak. With every sculpture taking around 40 to 50 hours to create, the project is a real labour of love and showcases the skill and craftsmanship involved in bringing the designs to life.
When complete, the trail will offer a fun and engaging way for families to explore Foxes Forest, discover more about the area’s wildlife and history, and enjoy one of Portsmouth’s most unique green spaces.
Although the sculptures won’t be installed until spring 2027, work is already well underway. To celebrate National Fox Day, we’ve released a behind-the-scenes video featuring Chris and the foxes as they take shape in his workshop.
The sculpture trail is part of a wider programme of improvements carried out by Portsmouth City Council Portsmouth’s northern shoreline. The North Portsea Coastal Scheme continues to make good progress, with teams currently delivering the final phase of new sea defences between Anchorage Park and Tipner.
Alongside the coastal scheme, the historic Hilsea Lines have benefited from improvements to the moat, helping to improve water quality and support the area’s wildlife and ecology. The reopening of Hilsea Lido has also helped establish the area as a destination for recreation, nature and outdoor activities.
Together, these projects are helping to create a more connected and welcoming northern shoreline, with the Foxes Forest sculpture trail offering another reason for residents and visitors to explore this unique part of Portsmouth.
Watch the video for an exclusive early look at the fox family in progress, and keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more updates as the sculptures get ready to make their home in Foxes Forest next spring.
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