National Trust – Story Bench

The National Trust commissioned me to create an illustration to be carved into a bench at Cwm Idwal in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. The content of the illustration was to represent the stories and natural beauty of Cwm Idwal and how it’s changing.

Local poet Ieuan Wyn suggested the couplet which flows through the bench:

“Hyfryd yw hud Cwm Idwal,
A’i swynion dwfn sy’n ein dal.

“The magic of Cwm Idwal is wonderful,
And its deep spells hold us.

Design Work

  • Illustration of the Cwm Idwal themes.
  • Refined illustration for bench design.
  • Bench Carved by Dominic Clare.

Project Impact

  • Permanent Snowdonia installation: Illustration carved into public bench at Cwm Idwal.
  • Welsh poetry integration: Celebrates natural beauty & change.
  • National Trust legacy: Preserves stories for 100K+ annual visitors.
Cultural legacy, featuring Welsh poetry. Illustration for National Trust Story Bench in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park by Pete Borlace
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park. Location inspiration for a carved wooden story bench in with intricate Welsh nature and folklore engravings. Bench Illustration by Pete Borlace
National Trust Story Bench full design illustration showing wooden carvings and placement in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park – by Pete Borlace
National Trust Story Bench full design illustration showing wooden carvings and placement in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park – by Pete Borlace
Carved wooden story bench in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park landscape with intricate Welsh folklore engravings – design process illustrations by Pete Borlace
Cultural legacy, featuring Welsh poetry. Illustration for National Trust Story Bench in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park by Pete Borlace

National Trust – Story Bench

The National Trust commissioned me to create an illustration to be carved into a bench at Cwm Idwal in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. The content of the illustration was to represent the stories and natural beauty of Cwm Idwal and how it’s changing.

Local poet Ieuan Wyn suggested the couplet which flows through the bench:

“Hyfryd yw hud Cwm Idwal,
A’i swynion dwfn sy’n ein dal.

“The magic of Cwm Idwal is wonderful,
And its deep spells hold us.

Design Work

  • Illustration of the Cwm Idwal themes.
  • Refined illustration for bench design.
  • Bench Carved by Dominic Clare.

Project Impact

  • Permanent Snowdonia installation: Illustration carved into public bench at Cwm Idwal.
  • Welsh poetry integration: Celebrates natural beauty & change.
  • National Trust legacy: Preserves stories for 100K+ annual visitors.
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park. Location inspiration for a carved wooden story bench in with intricate Welsh nature and folklore engravings. Bench Illustration by Pete Borlace
National Trust Story Bench full design illustration showing wooden carvings and placement in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park – by Pete Borlace
National Trust Story Bench full design illustration showing wooden carvings and placement in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park – by Pete Borlace
Carved wooden story bench in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park landscape with intricate Welsh folklore engravings – design process illustrations by Pete Borlace

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