Walking With The Snowman

3 lifesize statues of the animated character The Snowman, each painted in a different way. The left sculpture has a partridge sitting in a pair tree under a night sky, the middle one is covered in a snowy landscape on which there are copies of the Snowman enjoying activities like sledging, skiing and snowboarding, and the statue on the right has disco divas dancing on a vibrantly coloured background.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without The Snowman on TV. The animation, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, is such an adorable and moving story, brought to life with wonderful imagery and music, that it quickly became a perennial favourite for millions of people, and last year it celebrated its 40th anniversary.

And now you can see the iconic character in person, courtesy of a sculpture trail called Walking With The Snowman. It began in Salford in 2018, and then in every year since then (except 2020 when nobody could go anywhere) it’s been at multiple locations over the festive period. So this year the trails are taking place at Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, Knole House and the Fleet Street Quarter. And I recently explored the latter in London.

It’s been put together by Wild In Art, who were also behind Morph’s Epic Art Adventure that I enjoying looking at in the summer, and indeed 7 of the artists from that trail have contributed to this one as well, alongside a few others. So here we get a dozen snowmen, themed around the Twelve Days Of Christmas, each one painted in a beautifully distinctive and interesting way.

The sculptures will be in place until 5 January 2024, so there’s still plenty of time to see them. I went on a midweek afternoon, so it was nice and quiet, but I imagine there will be a lot of children keen to see them at weekends and during the Christmas holidays, which might make it harder to take photos of them.

There is a PDF map on the website, but it’s more about pretty design rather than accuracy, so it only gives a very rough visual sense of where each statue is. I found it a lot more reliable to use the list of statues in the bottom left corner, typing each road or place name into Google Maps to find them. And even then, there are some major roadworks going on in one particular area that added to the confusion and sent me off track slightly. But I did find them all in the end, it took me about 2 hours to do the whole trail. People with full sight would be able to do it much quicker I’m sure, but it’s very rewarding in any case, as they do look great.

So here’s a little gallery of the Snowman sculptures in central London. This isn’t sponsored or affiliated by anyone involved with the project, I just enjoyed hunting them down, and I hope you enjoy looking through them!

Contents

Partridge In A Pear Tree

  • Artist: Mik Richardson
  • Location: Cursitor Street (west junction with Chancery Lane)

This is one of my favourites. There’s a lot of nice detail on all sides of the statue, particularly the partridge on the front, and the snowflakes that are of course very appropriate.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Partridge In A Pear Tree. The front of his body, from his chest down to his feet, is painted to show a partridge sitting in a tall tree that has small pears hanging from its curling branches. There is a big bright yellow star just above the partridge, and there are white snowflakes falling in the starry night sky in the background. The Snowman's smiling face is white with a red nose, and he's wearing a green hat and a screen scarf.
Closeup of the painting of a partridge sitting in a pear tree on the Snowman statue.
The back of The Snowman statue called Partridge In A Pear Tree, showing a big green pear surrounded by a large wreath made of green leaves. The rest of the Snowman's back is mainly blue in colour, but there are some green segments that contain patterns or little drawings of pears in black.
Side view of The Snowman statue called Partridge In A Pear Tree, with snowflakes contained within ornate circular frames on his arm and leg.

Two Turtle Doves

  • Artist: Donna Newman
  • Location: Plough Place (east junction with New Fetter Lane)

More beautiful, detailed imagery of birds, with one each on the front and back.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Two Turtle Doves. The front of his body shows a large blue turtle dove, with lots of feathers, sitting on a snow covered tree branch. A few red and gold coloured hearts are hanging from other branches. The Snowman is also wearing a gold scarf and a gold hat.
Close-up of a blue turtle dove on the front of The Snowman sculpture called Two Turtle Doves. It has lots of detail to its feathers, including some darker colours making up the back of its wings.
The back of The Snowman sculpture called Two Turtle Doves, showing a blue turtle dove facing us as it perches in a snow-covered tree, with a few red hearts hanging from other branches.
Close-up of a blue turtle dove on the back of The Snowman sculpture called Two Turtle Doves. It is facing us, with its blue chest covered in lots of feathers, and there is just a glimpse of the darker feathers on its back.

Three French Hens

  • Artist: Leimai Lemaow
  • Location: Fetter Lane (opposite Neville Lane)

This is just a short walk down Fetter Lane from the previous sculpture, staying on the same side, just outside Pret next to the John Wilkes statue. It’s more abstract in style, and his face looks rather odd covered in all those polka dots, but it certainly fills the brief in the title, with a trio of beret-wearing hens next to the number 3 and the word “Oui” in the colours of the Tricolour flag.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Three French Hens. His body is mainly white, but there are a few thick bands of red with white polka dots, one stretching from his left foot up to his left shoulder, another going diagonally from his right hand up to his left shoulder, and another covering his face. Over the top of these bands on his chest is a figure of a hen made of a few abstract shapes, giving it a grey body, a small yellow beak, round red wattles, and a black comb of hair on the top. Next to that is a number 3, made of 3D segments of red, white and blue. Another hen can be seen poking its beak into view on the Snowman's right foot.
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Three French Hens. His body is mainly white, but there are a few thick bands of red with white polka dots wrapping around him from top to bottom and left to right. Down the centre of his back, in large letters made of 3D segments of red, white and blue, are the letters O, U and I. On the back of his left foot is a figure of a hen made of a few abstract shapes, giving it a grey body, a small yellow beak, round red wattles, and a black beret on its head.

Four Calling Birds

  • Artist: Jenny Leonard
  • Location: New Street Square (south pathway leading to Pemberton Row)

This is a fun one, with 4 birds communicating in different ways against a nice, colourful, scenic backdrop. There’s a very nice Christmas tree in the main open area of New Street Square just north of this as well.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds. Over a scenic background of rolling green hills against a blue sky, a bird hovers next to the floating receiver of a red rotary dial phone, next to a speech bubble saying hello, while on the Snowman's feet a bird chirps 3 times at a smartphone that has musical notes coming out of it. The Snowman is also wearing a yellow and pink striped scarf and a red hat.
Close-up of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds, showing a blue-coloured bird hovering next to the receiver of a red rotary dial phone, with a speech bubble coming out of it that says Hello?
Close-up of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds, showing a pigeon-like bird going Chirp, Chirp Chirp.
Close-up of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds, showing a flat-screen smartphone with musical notes coming out of it.
Back of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds. Over a scenic background of rolling green hills against a blue sky, a bird flies overhead exclaiming 2 for joy, and another bird squawks while perched on a tree branch.
Close-up of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds, showing a black and white bird flying as it says 2 for joy.
Close-up of a sculpture of The Snowman called Four Calling Birds, showing a black and white bird going Squawk as it sits on a tree branch.
Large Christmas tree in New Street Square, decorated with lots of white snowflakes, silver baubles, and hundreds of little lights.
Close-up of the white snowflakes and silver baubles on the New Street Square Christmas tree.

Five Gold Rings

  • Artist: Adam Pekr
  • Location: Holborn Circus Junction, south east corner (by St Andrew Holborn Garden, on the corner of St Andrew Street)

This is quite nice as well, with different types of rings being represented, and I like the blue backdrop with the snowflakes.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Five Gold Rings. Two large inter-linked rings, one gold with a glittering gem, and the other a dark metal, sit in the middle of his chest. The rest of his body is mostly covered in a light blue background, on which are many darker blue silhouettes of snowflakes. But there is also a strip of dark green leaves with small red berries around his neck, over which he is wearing a dark red scarf. And on top of his blue head he's wearing a blue hat.
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Five Gold Rings. The back of his body is covered in a light blue background, on which are many darker blue silhouettes of snowflakes. On top of that, down the centre of his back, a round red life buoy ring is tied around the Snowman's neck with a yellow ribbon, while the bottom of the ring is connected by a piece of rope to a wooden wheel.

Six Geese a-Laying

  • Artist: Matilda Elizabeth
  • Location: Junction at the north ends of St Bride Street & Shoe Lane

This is tucked away in a junction that’s shut off by roadworks. Openings have been left for pedestrians to cross and enter each of the roads, so he’s easy enough to get to, but I completely missed him at first as I wandered off down the street mentioned on the map (Stonecutter Street) to try and find him. So it does feel quite a strange place to find him, but at least it adds a nice bit of colour to that spot, and the stained glass style of the artwork is lovely.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Six Geese a-Laying. His body is painted in a style a bit like stained glass, with geese sitting on nests in front of a snowy landscape with snow-topped mountains in the background, beneath a golden star in the sky. Each of his feet also has a nest containing a few eggs. His face and hat are a dark blue colour, with his eyes, nose and mouth standing out in gold.
Close-up of two geese sitting on nests on the sculpture of The Snowman called Six Geese a-Laying.
Back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Six Geese a-Laying. His back is painted in a style a bit like stained glass, with geese sitting on nests in front of a snowy landscape with snow-topped mountains in the background, beneath a golden star in the sky. Each of his feet also has a nest containing a few eggs.

Seven Swans a-Swimming

  • Artist: Laura-Kate Chapman
  • Location: St Bride Street (south junction with Farringdon Street)

This is just a short walk north of the Ludgate Circus junction stated on the map, so it took me ages to find this one, as he was hidden away around a corner and not where I expected him to be. I love the swans on his body though.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Seven Swans a-Swimming. One large swan dominates the centre of the Snowman's body, with the large wings of other swans protruding into view from the sides, and there are also some baby swans visible at the top of his right leg, wrapped up in a larger swan's feathered wing. The Snowman is also wearing a green scarf and a green hat.
Back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Seven Swans a-Swimming, with one large swan spreading its wings at the top, and two swans facing each other lower down, forming a heart shape with their heads and necks.
Close-up of the large swan on the front of the sculpture of The Snowman called Seven Swans a-Swimming, plus the baby swans cuddled together in a larger swan's wing beneath it.
Close-up of 2 swans facing each other, their necks and heads forming a heart shape, on the back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Seven Swans a-Swimming.

Eight Maids a-Milking

A very simple but effective design that makes the Snowman look like a Dutch milk maid, next to the resident statue of Samuel Johnson’s cat Hodge, as this is right next to Dr. Johnson’s House.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Eight Maids a-Milking, wearing a maid's apron, shoes, scarf and hat that are all dark blue in colour, in contrast to his white body. A few flowers are also painted in dark blue on his groin area. Next to the sculpture is a plinth with a small bronze statue of Hodge the cat.
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Eight Maids a-Milking, wearing a maid's apron, shoes and a hat that are all dark blue in colour. The back of the apron has a large figure eight made out of white flowers.
Bronze statue of Hodge the cat.
Plaque on the plinth of the statue of Hodge the cat that says Hodge, a very fine cat indeed, belonging to Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784, of Gough Square. Sir, when a man is tired of London he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford. The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

Nine Ladies Dancing

  • Artist: Jenny Leonard
  • Location: St Bride’s Passage (through an opening beneath a building on Dorset Rise)

I love the vibrant disco theme for this one, with all the divas dancing all over it.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Nine Ladies Dancing. It features disco divas dancing on top of a vibrant background of colours and patterns in shades of pink, purple, blue and green, on which are stars in white, pink and blue colours. The snowman is also wearing an orange scarf and a yellow hat.
Close-up of 2 ladies dancing on the sculpture of The Snowman called Nine Ladies dancing. One is a black lady with a large black hairdo, wearing an orange and yellow striped sleeveless dress, while the other is a white redheaded lady wearing an orange sleeveless top and dark blue shorts with a red belt.
Close-up of 2 ladies dancing on the side of the Snowman sculpture called Nine Ladies dancing. One is a black lady with a large black hairdo, wearing an orange and yellow striped sleeveless dress, while below her the other is a black lady wearing a yellow strapless dress with wavy pink and red stripes
Close-up of 2 ladies dancing on the side of the Snowman sculpture called Nine Ladies dancing. One is a white redheaded lady wearing an orange sleeveless top and dark blue shorts with a red belt, while below her the other is a black lady sporting a tall black hairdo with a blue bandana, and wearing blue trousers with a sleeveless yellow top
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Nine Ladies Dancing. It features disco divas dancing on top of a vibrant background of colours and patterns in shades of pink, purple, blue and green, on which are stars in white, pink and blue colours, lots of white dots to represent points of light generated by a mirrorball, and some black musical notes.
Close-up of 3 ladies dancing on the sculpture of The Snowman called Nine Ladies Dancing. One is a black lady with a large black hairdo, wearing an orange sleeveless top and blue trousers, the second is a white lady with long black hair wearing an orange dress with a white belt, and the third is a black lady with large black hair wearing light blue trousers and a blue sleeveless top with large yellow circles and small pink circles all over it.
Close-up of a disco diva dancing on the side of the Snowman sculpture called Nine Ladies Dancing. She's a black lady with large black hair wearing an orange jumpsuit.
Close-up of a disco diva dancing on the side of the Snowman sculpture called Nine Ladies Dancing. She's a white lady with blonde hair wearing a sleeveless red jumpsuit.

Ten Lords a-Leaping

  • Artist: Adam Pekr
  • Location: Playhouse Yard (corner of Church Entry and Ireland Yard)

If you enter the yard from Black Friars Lane, you might not see this one at first, but if you walk diagonally to the top left corner of the square from that direction you’ll see him tucked away in the junction of the two alleys there. His body is covered with a snowy landscape, on which are 10 copies of the Snowman enjoying various activities, with the Snowdog joining him in a couple of cases. So it’s very cool, it’s another of my favourites.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Ten Lords a-Leaping. HIs body is covered in a snowy landscape scene, on which there are lots of images of the Snowman engaging in various snow-related activities, including sledging and skiing. Just like those small drawings on him, the sculpture of the Snowman is wearing a green scarf and a green hat, framing his smiling white face.
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Ten Lords a-Leaping. HIs body is covered in a snowy landscape scene, on which there are lots of images of the Snowman engaging in various activities, including juggling snowballs, skiing, skating, hang-gliding and holding balloons.
Close-up of the Ten Lords a-Leaping sculpture of the Snowman, showing the character hang-gliding, and carrying the Snowdog under one harm.
Close-up of the Ten Lords a-Leaping sculpture of the Snowman, showing the character juggling with 4 snowballs, which are forming an arch over his head.
Close-up of the Ten Lords a-Leaping sculpture of the Snowman, showing the character flying through the air while standing on a red snowboard.
Close-up of the Ten Lords a-Leaping sculpture of the Snowman, showing the character riding in a big red sleigh, with the Snowdog on his shoulder.
Close-up of the Ten Lords a-Leaping sculpture of the Snowman, showing the character flying through the air on skis.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Nestled in the big open section of this alley, it’s appropriate that I found this just as the light was drawing in, as it shows a lovely night scene of pipers playing as reindeer pull a sleigh overhead, while on the back there’s another snowman.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Eleven Pipers Piping. It shows a landscape of snowy hills, on which silhouettes of three bagpipers are standing, while in the distance 3 reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky, over the tops of houses and tower blocks.
The back of the sculpture of the Snowman called Eleven Pipers Piping. It is painted to show a large round snowman, wearing a stripy scarf and a Santa hat, standing on a snowy hill in front of a starry night sky. Silhouettes of a couple of reindeer are passing across the large moon overhead.
The silhouette of a bagpiper standing on a snowy hill in front of a dark blue night sky, on the Snowman sculpture called Eleven Pipers Piping.
The silhouette of a bagpiper standing on a snowy hillside, on the Snowman sculpture called Eleven Pipers Piping.
Close-up of a snowman on the back of the Snowman sculpture called Eleven Pipers Piping. The snowman in the painting has a large round body and a smaller round head. It's wearing a scarf with red and blue stripes, and a red Santa hat with white trim and a white bobble. It has 3 black buttons down its chest, 3 black dots forming its mouth, a black dot for each eye, and a carrot for a nose.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

  • Artist: Jess Perrin
  • Location: Old Bailey (the junction with Holborn Viaduct, next to Green Arbour Court)

This gingerbread snowman might look good enough to eat, but I wouldn’t try it unless you want to end up in the courthouse across the road! He’s decorated on the back with a dozen marching and drumming mice, which is quite cute.

Sculpture of The Snowman called Twelve Drummers Drumming. He's painted to look like he's made of golden gingerbread, with leafy patterns in a slightly lighter shade. In contrast, the 3 buttons on his chest, his scarf and his facial features are all white, and he's wearing a red hat.
The back of the sculpture of The Snowman called Twelve Drummers Drumming. He's painted to look like he's made of golden gingerbread, with leafy patterns in a slightly lighter shade. In the centre of his back is a marching band formed of 12 small drumming mice, 11 of which are arranged in a circle with the other larger mouse in the middle.
Close-up of 12 marching and drumming mice on the back of the Snowman sculpture called Twelve Drummers Drumming. 11 of the mice are forming a circle around a larger mouse in the middle. They're all dressed smartly, each wearing black trousers, a red jacket with a white diagonal sash, and a black hat.

Conclusion

And that’s it, I hope you enjoyed looking through those as much as I did. Some of them were fairly well hidden away, but they were worth finding. It’s a great way to mark the festive season using one of its most iconic characters.

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Author: Glen

Love London, love a laugh, love life. Visually impaired blogger, culture vulture & accessibility advocate, with aniridia & nystagmus, posting about my experiences & adventures.

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