Five times awarded 5 Gold Stars at RHS Chelsea
Literary Bronze Garden Sculptures
New Chapters for 2026 at Robert James Workshop
The start of a new year has a certain knack for sharpening the senses. In the workshop, after the festive buzz, it is a time for steady hands, fresh lumps of clay, and the return of ideas that have been patiently waiting their turn.
Out in the garden, there is much promise in the landscape; amongst the bare branches and stark winter light, there is shape, texture, and the slightest hint of daffodils and the oncoming of spring.
A milestone year, written in bronze
2026 arrives with a pleasing sense of occasion. As well as marking the 100 years since A.A. Milne’s children’s classic, Winnie-the-Pooh, first found its way onto the world’s collective bookshelf – it will also be our 15th year exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Chelsea will always be a highlight in our event calendar; there’s no stage quite like it for showcasing our work and igniting conversation with gardeners, designers, and collectors from around the globe.
This year at Chelsea, our display space will be double its usual dimensions, giving us more room tell richer stories. Alongside the familiar storybook characters, immensely popular with both children and adults, we will also be presenting some of our newer projects, details of which will be revealed in the coming months.
If you’re looking to attend RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year – Tuesday 19th May to Saturday 23rd May – tickets are already available to purchase.
Hurry, we mustn’t be late!
New bronze characters taking shape
Talking of centenary celebrations for A.A. Milne’s most famous work. In the studio, our Hundred Acre Wood range is steadily expanding, with Wol, Kanga, and Roo soon set to join the existing Winnie-the-Pooh collection.
New characters, indeed, but all of which follow the same process of creation: sketches and close observation of the original E.H. Shepard illustrations, then clay, then the careful refinement that gives a figure its expression and presence, before the hot bronze cast.
Elsewhere, we are also adding Benjamin Bunny to the Beatrix Potter collection and growing the Beatrix Potter miniature range alongside. There’s a particular charm to be found in our smaller-scale sculptures; they sit just as delightfully indoors as they do out. They also make for a thoughtful gift for readers looking to bottle some of the magic from their favourite story.
Where to see the collection this year
There are several ways to meet our sculptures in person throughout the year.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, of course, will bring plenty of theatre to late-spring – but for those who prefer the pace a little slower, the seasonal display at Forde Abbey finds our literary bronze sculptures placed within planting, landscape, and the stunning mix of Gothic and medieval architecture.
Forde Abbey’s gardens are open again from 1st February, and the house reopens for the 2026 season on Sunday 29th March.
This spring also marks the return of the Forde Abbey Trail, thoughtfully created to give visitors a clear route through the gardens, with a sense of storybook discovery as you go.
The Trail has expanded since last year, including the addition of The Knave and Samuel Whiskers, so plenty to look out for on your next visit.
A short drive from Forde Abbey, our gallery offers the most personal way to experience our work. Visits are by appointment, so the experience is wholly unhurried, with time for a proper conversation and a close look at the collection gathered in one place.
Across the Atlantic, our characters have made themselves at home in Washington, D.C., where the Through the Looking Glass exhibition is on permanent display at the O Museum. A second American installation can be found in Virginia at Abernethy and Spencer, where our Alice in Wonderland sculptures and water features sit within an extraordinary glasshouse setting. We cannot recommend a visit enough, if you happen to be in the vicinity!
An invitation
If you’re interested in any of the characters in our bronze sculpture range, a quick call, a brochure request, or a gallery appointment is the easiest way to begin. We’d love to hear from you.
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