A new art exhibition that celebrates Wiltshire’s historic woodlands has opened in Devizes.

Wanderlust, by local artist Hilary Stock, showcases works that capture the Savernake Forest and West Woods, as well as other landscapes from her wider travels.

The exhibition is on display at the White Chalk Gallery at 5 Old Swan Yard in Devizes until October 21.

“I particularly love being in the forest with my camera,” says Hilary, who lives in Great Bedwyn.

“I find them places of stillness and calm, especially beech forests like West Wood."

Hilary began her working life making documentary features for BBC Radio 4 and has lived twice in India – first in Kerala and later in New Delhi.

She now divides her time between Wiltshire and Cornwall, where her mother and grandmother grew up.  

“There are so many interesting places around Wiltshire that I’m never lost for inspiration,” the local artist added.

For the past year, Hilary has been photographer-in-residence at Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury District Hospital, where she works with patients adjusting to life with spinal injuries.

“Hilary takes photography into the realms of fine art,” added Bryony Cox, who owns the gallery space in Devizes.

The exhibition will also feature sculptures by Tom Hiscocks, an award-winning British contemporary artist who works mainly in copper and stainless steel.

Organisers hope that the celebration of art and local woodlands will urge people to still visit the town, despite ongoing road works that have made travelling into Devizes more difficult.