By Walter Bailey

House of Invisible Hands is an oak structure on a stunning viewpoint on Farnham Heath. The front section was carved by sculptor Walter Bailey and is the remaining original section from the original artwork once restored from vandalism. Below outlines Walter’s original inspiration and vision.

House of Invisible Hands is a shrine to those whose labours shaped the landscape of Surrey in the making of forest glass during mediaeval times. This practise involved working within the forest using the raw materials of the landscape to keep the furnaces going. The impurities in the materials created the green of the resulting glass objects.

During his research sculptor Walter Bailey became interested in the social aspect of the practice. The glass was made by skilled artisans from Europe and local peasants. Young children often worked long hours stoking the furnaces. This hand carved oak structure is sited at a view point on Farnham Heath as a shelter and rest point for walkers to experience this artwork from outside and within. It presents the many hands that laboured within local forests centuries ago.

Walter also engaged local people to create a mass artwork based on these themes called KINdling. This was temporarily in place beside The House of Invisible Hands.

Plan your visit

Farnham Heath RSPB
The Reeds Road
Tilford, GU10 2DL
View on map

House of Invisible Hands can be found at the viewpoint in the woodland at Farnham Heath. There are small parking lay-bys on Old Frensham Road nearer to the structure than the main car park at the Rural Life Centre. It is beautiful walk up through the heath from the main free car park at the Rural Life Centre

Photography by John Miller

With thanks for additional support from: