‘Sedile Francigena’ By Polysemic

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North Downs Way Art Trail tags

Start postcode: CT4 6HJ
Town: Canterbury
District: Canterbury
Area: Kent Downs AONB
Nearest train station: Adisham

How to get there

Section 12: Canterbury to Shepherdswell
Nearest postcode: CT4 6HJ
What 3 words: ///blurs.expose.improving
Where to start? Canterbury Cathedral
What to expect: Open fields and woodland. Undulating with no big slopes.

Full route: This sculpture is on section 12 of the North Downs Way from Canterbury to Shepherdswell 10.5 miles (16.8km) for more details, visit the North Downs Way website.

In a hurry?

Nearest train station is Adisham, which is 2.5 miles away. Bekesbourne and Snowdown stations are also nearby.

Take your time…

Stroll around the quiet village of Adisham on the edge of the old coal mining area of East Kent. Which joins the North Downs Way for a short section by following little used footpaths and bridleways where you can discover some interesting woodland sections. Good views of Barham Downs open up north-eastwards to the coast as you return to the village. Follow this route.

Make a day of it

Eat & drink: The Pig at Bridge Place, Tadpole Tearoom, the Black Robin or The Duke of Cumberland.
Explore: Simpsons Wine Estates, Bridge Village, East Kent Railway Visitor Centre.
Travelling with Mini-Explorers? Quiz your kids – how long is the Via Francigena and where does it finish?

People walking towards the 'Sedile Francigena' sculpture bench

The story behind the sculpture:

Located on the Via Francigena, Sedile Francigena is an incredible piece of engineering and a beautiful work of art, which in Latin translates to seat or bench, the base is created from local materials, lime mortar, stone and flints from houses and churches, with the top originally being made from a high-tech precision cut paper product.

It differs from the other sculptures in that it isn’t specific to the location where it is installed and tells the story of the entire route, across the English Channel to different countries with hugely fluctuating topography and landscape. It makes you consider the enormity of the journey and the potential for adventure and learning on the way. It’s also a very visual and tactile piece – it draws you in to touch, sit on, and take in the views across Barham Downs.

About the artist

Christopher is the director of Polysemic, an interdisciplinary design studio focused on the creation of places for performance and the technical and cultural infrastructure that supports them. He was nominated for the 2019 Arts Foundation Fellowship in Experimental Architecture and is the London coordinator for the Long Now Foundation. Chris is also a visiting lecturer at the University of the Creative Arts, Canterbury.