A Walk of Art & Wonder Hanging Stones Trail on the North York Moors

Tucked beneath the wide skies and heathered ridges of the North York Moors lies a secret pathway unlike any other—a six-mile trail where weathered barns whisper with artistry, and the land itself becomes a gallery.

This is Hanging Stones, a soulful collaboration between philanthropist David Ross and world-renowned sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.

Over a decade in the making, this quiet marvel weaves through Rosedale, a dale as old as the hills themselves, dotted with ten beautifully restored dry-stone barns.

Each structure, once abandoned relics of farming days past, now houses one of Goldsworthy’s elemental sculptures—crafted from the same moorland stone and echoing the rhythms of nature. The effect is one of reverent transformation: ruins reborn into timeless sanctuaries of stillness and form.

Goldsworthy, celebrated for his ephemeral and site-specific art, embraces the humble barn as both muse and frame. One barn holds a coiled pillar of balanced stones; another, a cave of stacked ovals that seems to breathe with light and shadow. Each artwork is site-specific, emerging from the place itself and reflecting its quiet strength.

Access to the Hanging Stones trail is gently curated. Walkers must book in advance, with small groups welcomed daily between May and October, preserving the solitude and spiritual hush of the experience.

The path itself meanders through sweeping heather fields, mossy drystone walls, and the soft rustle of sheep grazing nearby. It’s more than a walk—it’s a pilgrimage of the senses, where art and land speak in the same language.

The project, supported by the David Ross Foundation and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, invites not just admiration but contemplation. It calls to those who cherish beauty found in simplicity, and the enduring poetry of stone, sky, and silence.

As the sun casts shifting shadows across barn doorways and the breeze whispers through moor grass, one is reminded that true art often asks nothing but presence.

For those seeking a quiet wonder—Hanging Stones awaits.

🔗 Read more in The Times
🔗 Visit North York Moors National Park

"Embrace the strength within your soul, for it is the light that guides you through the darkest of times and illuminates the path to greatness."

"Embrace the power of unity in the colony of life.

Just as we ants work together to build our strong and thriving community, remember that collaboration and teamwork can lead to great achievements.

Let us march forward with unwavering determination, supporting each other along the journey.

Together, we can conquer any obstacle in our path and emerge victorious.

Stay united, stay strong, and remember that together, we are unstoppable."

Our Brains Are Wired for Creativity

The human brain, a marvel of biological engineering, possesses an innate capacity for creativity. Far from being a niche skill reserved for artists and innovators, creativity is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, deeply embedded in our neural architecture.

Understanding how our brains are wired for creativity can unlock its potential in all aspects of life, from problem-solving to personal expression.

At the heart of our creative wiring lies a complex interplay of various brain regions and networks. Traditionally, the left brain has been associated with logic and analysis, and the right brain with intuition and creativity. While this is a simplification, research now points to the crucial role of both hemispheres working in concert.

The default mode network (DMN), for instance, a collection of brain regions active when we're not focused on a specific task (think daydreaming), is strongly linked to imagination, idea generation, and self-referential thought – all key ingredients of creativity. It's during these moments of unfocused contemplation that novel connections can be made and insights can emerge.

Another critical player is the executive control network (ECN), responsible for focused attention, working memory, and decision-making. While the DMN generates ideas, the ECN helps to refine, evaluate, and implement them.

The dynamic interplay between these two networks—the ability to switch between free-flowing ideation and structured evaluation—is a hallmark of highly creative individuals. This flexible switching allows us to brainstorm broadly and then hone in on the most promising concepts.

Neurotransmitters also play a vital role. Dopamine, often associated with reward and pleasure, is deeply involved in motivation, exploration, and the generation of new ideas. Its release can facilitate the "aha!" moments of insight.

Furthermore, the brain's ability to form new connections and pathways, known as neuroplasticity, is fundamental to creativity. Every new skill learned, every new idea conceived, strengthens and reshapes our neural networks, making us more adaptable and innovative.

So, how can we harness this innate creative wiring?

• Embrace Downtime: Allow for moments of unfocused thought. Daydreaming, walking in nature, or simply letting your mind wander can activate the DMN and foster new connections.

• Engage in Diverse Experiences: Expose yourself to new ideas, cultures, and challenges. This broadens your mental landscape and provides more raw material for your brain to work with.

   

• Practice Deliberate Practice: While creativity often feels spontaneous, consistent engagement with a craft or field strengthens relevant neural pathways. The more you work with something, the more fluid your creative process becomes.

   

• Don't Fear Failure: Experimentation is key to creativity. The brain learns from mistakes, and each "failed" attempt offers valuable data for future innovations.

For further exploration of the fascinating world of the brain and creativity, consider these UK-based resources:

• The British Neuroscience Association (BNA): https://www.bna.org.uk/ (Provides general information on neuroscience research and events in the UK.)

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• Mind.org.uk: https://www.mind.org.uk/ (While focused on mental health, they often touch on aspects of cognitive well-being, which includes creativity.)

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• The Open University: https://www.open.ac.uk/ (Offers courses and resources on psychology and neuroscience, some of which delve into creativity.)

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Our brains are indeed wired for creativity.

By understanding these fundamental mechanisms and actively cultivating an environment that encourages neural exploration, we can unlock a vast reservoir of imaginative potential within ourselves and truly thrive in an ever-evolving world.