An elephant skull in Hertfordshire: Henry Moore at Perry Green

My second fantastic visitor experience was to Perry Green in Hertfordshire, the site of Henry Moore’s home and studio, Hoglands.

This was a visit that wasn’t animated in any sense. Hoglands, a beautiful Elizabethan timber-framed farmhouse, is surrounded by a 70-acre garden, in which 25 large Moore sculptures are strategically placed. My two visiting companions (aged 3 and 1) were too young for the inside of the house. But we very much enjoyed our solitary Sunday morning stroll around the grounds, having been the first visitors to turn up at the visitor centre (in fact, the converted terraced home immediately opposite Hoglands).

The highlight for me was the Large Reclining Figure, placed atop a hillock in the sheep field immediately behind the garden. I loved the idea of the sheep nibbling away at grass at the base of the sculpture, overseen by the reclining figure.

I also loved the elephant skull in Moore’s studio – an unexpected treat for a quiet Sunday morning in Hertfordshire.