GRIZEDALE Forest has been named one of the top 21 landmarks in Britain.

The Forestry Commission woodland, a favourite with walkers, mountain bikers and art and nature lovers, is featured in a list compiled by British Airways' High Life magazine, in association with The Independent newspaper.

The publication identified the top landmarks that define Britain in the 21st century in a three month long campaign where readers were invited to name landmarks – both historic and new – they felt exemplified the UK.

The campaign received over 2,000 entries and 150 landmarks were nominated by the public spanning the whole of the UK, including the Grizedale Forest, Millennium Bridge, and Edinburgh Castle.

The list of nominated landmarks was then narrowed down by a panel of experts from across Britain including president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stephen Hodder; director of London’s Whitechapel Gallery, Iwona Blazwick; architect and RIBA Worldwide and Civic Trust award winner, Will Alsop; BBC and ITV broadcaster Julia Bradbury and editor for High Life, Kerry Smith.

Ms Bradbury sang the praises of the Grizedale Forest Sculpture Park - comprising 40 pieces of art that are juxtaposed with nature and are accessible via a network of bikeways and walkways. She said: “There are some simply wonderful pieces including some wind-up clockwork trees. ?I remember stopping on a bike ride and winding it up and as you cycle away, you can hear the chimes of the tree as you’re heading off in the distance.”

Hayley Skipper, curator of arts development at Forestry Commission England, said: “We are delighted that Grizedale Forest Sculpture Park has been voted into the top 21 landmarks that define Britain in the 21st century. Artists have been inspired by the unique forest landscape here since for decades, making Grizedale Forest the UK’s first forest for sculpture. This is a special place, with a special history, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.”