✦ Dan Cordell

I’ve always been drawn to making things by hand. One of my earliest memories is carving lumps of chalk in my garden with a screwdriver at age eight. That instinct to shape, explore, and connect with natural materials has stayed with me ever since.Years later, I went on to study Fine Art, which gave me the chance to experiment with a wide range of media and techniques. But it was working with wood that truly felt like coming home. I don’t limit myself to a single subject or style; instead, I follow ideas where they lead, sometimes experimenting with other materials or even two-dimensional work. But more often than not, I return to the chainsaw and the raw honesty of timber.When I carve, I focus on the form and the story that emerges from each log. There’s something deeply satisfying about finding life in a fallen tree and giving it a second presence through sculpture.I live in the North Devon countryside with my partner and my mum, where we grow much of our own food and try to live in harmony with the land around us. That love of nature runs through everything I do.

Richmond Park

Oak Life

Of all the projects I’ve worked on for The Royal Parks in London, this one for Richmond Park still stands out. I was commissioned to create two sculptures for their woodland education areas—spaces designed to help local schoolchildren learn about native trees and wildlife.

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Grand Western Canal

Heron

Peter and Merry invited me to carve a sculpture for their garden, which borders the Grand Western Canal Nature Reserve. They had just built a wildlife pond and envisioned a heron standing nearby, blending into the reeds and pond plants.

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Northamptonshire Council

A Knight’s Trail

This was a special one. I was commissioned to carve a series of sculptures for a public art trail in Northampton—nine knights, each one representing a different part of the town’s history, along with the town’s crest.

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✦ Select clients

Dan has created sculptures for a wide range of clients from public bodies like The Royal Parks and Northampton Borough Council, to private commissions along the Grand Western Canal and exhibitions at The Plough Arts Centre.His work has featured in parks, gardens, nature reserves, and community spaces across the UK, each piece tailored to its surroundings and purpose.If you’re looking for a unique, hand-carved sculpture that connects people with place and nature, Dan would love to hear from you.

Dan’s sculptures have transformed Broxbourne Woods and Heron’s Way Spinney into more welcoming, engaging spaces. His thoughtful designs reflect woodland heritage and have been warmly received by the community. He was flexible, reliable, and a pleasure to work with.★★★★★ Heidi Hutton, Broxbourne Woods Projects Officer

It was a real pleasure commissioning a sculpture from Dan for the sensory trail at Burnham Beeches. It's rare to find an artist working in wood who combines such strong fine art sensitivities with such strong engineering skills. There's a fluidity to his work that belies the solidity and durability of the outcomes.★★★★★ Alistair Will, Outdoor Culture

Our treasured Monkey Puzzle tree was dying but instead of removing the entire tree we decided to commission Dan Cordell to create a carving from the remains. Thanks to Dan's brilliant creative talent we now have a beautiful flying owl carving gracing our garden. We are absolutely delighted with the results.★★★★★ Jeanette Atkins, Surrey

Richmond Park

Oak Life

Nature has always been a big source of inspiration for me, and this project felt particularly close to my heart. I wanted to create something that didn’t just depict the oak tree, but celebrated its entire ecosystem.The result was a sculpture called Oak Life, carved from a fallen oak within the park itself. The piece includes everything from acorns and oak leaves to the creatures the tree supports, like a dormouse, stag beetle, woodpecker, and gall wasp. It’s a reminder of how interconnected everything in nature is - including us.“If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it…” Sir David AttenboroughThat quote stayed with me throughout the process.

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Grand Western Canal

Heron

I carved the heron larger than life so that it could be appreciated not just from the house, higher up in the garden, but also by people walking along the canal’s towpath 20 metres away. It was designed to sit quietly in its environment, offering a moment of stillness and surprise to anyone who comes across it.

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Northamptonshire Council

A Knight’s Trail

Because of the scale and deadline, I brought in fellow carvers Simon O’Rourke, and Harry and Danny Thomas. We carved the pieces together in Harry’s studio in Wales, sharing tools, ideas, and many cups of tea. As someone who usually works alone, that sense of collaboration was a real highlight.The knights were initially installed in the town centre and have since been placed around Northampton and the surrounding areas. The trail is still accessible as a circular walk, offering a journey through both landscape and local heritage.

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✦ Environmental ethos

I’ve always felt a strong connection to the natural world, and working with wood just feels right to me. There’s something grounding about using a material that has already lived a life of its own—shaped by years of growth, weather, and time.Whenever possible, I use trees that have fallen naturally—whether from storms or as part of responsible woodland management. Some are removed to let more light reach the forest floor or to take out diseased trees. Giving that timber a second life through sculpture feels like a way of honouring it, not just disposing of it.I’m mindful of the impact we have on our environment, so choosing wood as a material feels like a conscious step away from waste and excess. Wood is ancient, tactile, and enduring—it’s been part of our lives for millennia. Even now, in an age of plastics and digital noise, we still instinctively respond to the warmth and weight of timber.Every carving I create is a quiet tribute to the life of the tree and an invitation for others to reconnect with nature.

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✦ Bringing your ideas to life

Commissioning a sculpture is a collaborative process, and I’ll guide you through it every step of the way:Initial discussionGet in touch with your idea. Whether it’s a rough concept, a photo, or a feeling you’d like the piece to evoke. We can talk through location, size, and materials.Design & ProposalOnce I understand what you're after, I’ll sketch out a concept and give you a quote. We’ll also confirm the timeline and whether the work will be carved on-site or in my workshop.Sourcing TimberIf you have a tree in mind, great. If not, I’ll suggest suitable woods and source something responsibly.CarvingI’ll begin work—either at my workshop in North Devon or on location. You’ll receive updates and photos as the carving progresses.Finishing & DeliveryOnce complete, I’ll apply a suitable wood treatment or finish. We’ll then arrange delivery or installation depending on your location.Aftercare AdviceI’ll give you tips on how to care for your sculpture so it weathers well and lasts for years to come.Every sculpture I make is unique, and the process reflects that.

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✦ Carving out the details

Do you take commissions?

Yes, absolutely. I regularly create commissioned pieces for private clients, public spaces, schools, parks, and community projects. If you’ve got an idea in mind, I’d love to hear it.

How long does a sculpture take to complete?

That depends on the size, complexity, and location of the piece. Smaller works might take a few days; larger or more detailed projects can take a few weeks. If you’re working to a specific deadline, just let me know early on.

Can I use wood from my own tree?

Yes, and in fact, I love working with timber that has meaning for the client. If you have a tree that’s come down in your garden or on your land, we can often turn it into something lasting and beautiful.

How much does a sculpture cost?

Prices vary depending on the size, design, and logistics involved. I’ll always give you a clear quote before we start. Commissioned sculptures start from around £500.

Do you carve on-site?

Yes, where necessary. If the timber is too large to move or you want the piece carved in situ, I can work on location, as long as there’s enough space and access. I’m based in North Devon but happy to travel.

Do you offer delivery?

Yes. If I’m carving the sculpture at my workshop, I can arrange delivery or help you organise collection depending on the scale and location.

What kind of wood do you use?

I mostly work with trees that have fallen naturally or been felled for woodland management reasons. Oak, cedar, yew, and sweet chestnut are some of my favourites, but I’ll always choose timber that’s best suited to your project.

Can I come and see your work in person?

Of course - just drop me a message and we can arrange a visit to my workshop (by appointment).

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