Honeybourne Line public art opportunity

  • Date issued: 11/10/2025
  • Project title: Honeybourne Line project brief
  • Budget: £60,000
  • Submission deadline: 23/01/2025
  • Submission contact: [email protected]
  • Summary: Cheltenham Borough Council invites proposals for targeted public art works along the Honeybourne Line cycle path.

Context

The Honeybourne and Cheltenham line was built during the first decade of the 20th Century which saw a vast programme of works to improve the infrastructure of the Great Western Railway. The line runs from Cheltenham railway station on Queens Road to Tommy Taylors Lane, Pittville Park and Wymans Brook as well as branching off towards the town centre following the river Chelt to The Bayshill Inn on St George’s Place. This 1.3 mile section of track was resurfaced in 2005, creating a popular traffic-free route for walking, cycling and running along the west of Cheltenham.

Its deep cuttings and elevated sections form an important wildlife corridor with views across the town to the Cotswold escarpment. Small mammals and foxes are frequent visitors. Many species of butterfly, including a Small Blue colony, have been seen along the line. It has a selection of common native plants usually associated with disused railway lines as well as enhancements made through bulb and shrub planting as a result of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF). The length of the site is managed by Cheltenham Borough Council with support from Green Space Volunteers.

The Honeybourne Line forms part of the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine from Stroud to Tewkesbury, connecting the northern end of the Honeybourne Line at the Prince of Wales Stadium and Leisure Centre to Evesham Road and the Racecourse. Find out more about the Cheltenham to Bishop's Cleeve cycleway. Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) are currently in engagement with Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) about supporting better cycle accessibility to the Line at this entrance and a recent press release shows aspiration from the CBC to extend the Honeybourne Line northwards to connect with the section of the line owned by Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

The route also forms part of the Sustrans long distance cycle Route 41. The Honeybourne Line is at the centre of a government funded ‘Mini Holland’ feasibility study by GCC exploring enhanced neighbourhood connectivity for active travel to the Honeybourne Line.

In 2014, Cheltenham Borough Council developed a Honeybourne Masterplan that identified existing assets, including urban art, functional art, bridges, and entrances as well as connecting spaces adjacent to the line and spaces within its boundary.

Honeybourne Line masterplan map

The Masterplan highlighted a number of aspirations, which included vegetation management and biodiversity enhancement, improving signage, street art opportunities, upgrading play areas, CCTV, altering entrance and barrier access points, and more.

Following this, a ‘Public Art Strategy for the Honeybourne Line’ was created by Cheltenham Borough Council in partnership with the Public Art Panel in 2016. Since 2016 there have been various iterations of project briefs to deliver works. However, since this time costs have significantly increased in terms of materials and procurement and further to a full review of the funds available, the brief has been simplified, ensuring we have value for money and deliverable outcomes.

Themes and potential outcomes

  • Enhance the visual and experiential quality of the Honeybourne Line through site-specific public art.
  • Celebrate Cheltenham’s heritage
  • Improve accessibility and wayfinding at key entrances and junctions.
  • Consider biodiversity and environmental awareness as an artistic theme
  • Provide functional and creative seating and rest areas 

Scope of work

Artists are invited to propose creative interventions that may include (but are not limited to):

  • Artistic Seating: Sculptural or creatively designed benches and rest areas that invite pause and reflection.
  • Gateway/Wayfinding Features: Artistic elements at entrances (e.g., Queens Road, Waitrose, St Pauls Road and the Prince of Wales Stadium) that signal arrival and enhance identity.
  • Interpretive Installations: Works that reflect Cheltenham’s heritage, including its railway history, spa town legacy, and cultural landmarks.
  • Biodiversity-Inspired Art: Pieces that incorporate or highlight local flora and fauna, possibly using sustainable or living materials.

Community-Informed Design: Elements shaped by targeted engagement with local people e.g. schools. Your response to this brief may be 1 single feature or multiple smaller features

Site considerations

  • The Honeybourne Line is a well-used pedestrian and cycle route with varied landscapes including urban edges, green corridors, and railway heritage.
  • Artworks must be durable, low-maintenance, and safe for public interaction.
  • Consideration should be given to visibility, and integration with existing infrastructure.
  • The origin of materials should be considered in terms of sustainable sources, recycled or reused materials

Community engagement

A component of the project is engagement with local people which will include the Friends of Winston Churchill Gardens and Honeybourne Line, the local school and local Borough ward members. A component of the project is engagement with local people which will include the Friends of Winston Churchill Gardens and Honeybourne Line, the local school and local Borough ward members. Artists should outline how they will:

  • Conduct local community engagement
  • Incorporate feedback into the design process.
  • Ensure inclusivity across age, ability, and cultural background.

Timeline

  • Call for Proposals: 10-12-2025
  • Submission Deadline: 23-01-2025
  • Selection & Commissioning: 20-02-2026
  • Installation complete: 31-10-2026

Submission requirements

  • Artist CV and portfolio
  • Two references
  • Concept proposal (max 2 pages)
  • Community engagement plan
  • Budget breakdown
  • Timeline including review of initial ideas then detailed proposal

Selection criteria and weighting

  • Artistic quality and originality - 20%
  • Relevance to site and themes - 20%
  • Value for Money - 20%
  • Feasibility and durability - 20%
  • Community engagement strategy -10%
  • Sustainable materials and construction - 10%

Project budget

A total budget of £60,000 is available, fully inclusive of artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, and local community engagement activities.

Project management

Day to day liaison will be with Adam Reynolds who will project manage the public art commission on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council and will oversee regular meetings, budgets and milestone delivery. A small steering group will be convened to sign off initial ideas and then detailed design proposals

Please return your application to:

Greenspace team
Cheltenham Borough Council
Municipal Offices
Promenade
Cheltenham
GL50 9SA

Telephone 01242 262626

Email: [email protected]