Lead organisation
Partner organisations
National Landscapes Association - Commissioning Partner
Revolution Arts - Local Producer
Activate Performing Arts - Creative Executive Producer
Poetry School - National Partner
Project description
At the northern edge of the Chilterns chalk, something extraordinary has taken shape. Luton Henge is a bold new artwork and community landmark, rooted in landscape and history, and brought to life by local people as part of the Nature Calling project—led by the National Landscape Association in partnership with the Chilterns National Landscape and produced by Revoluton Arts.
Inspired by the ancient Neolithic earthwork Waulud’s Bank, Luton Henge is a permanent sculpture designed by award-winning artist Matthew Rosier, in collaboration with residents from the Marsh Farm area of Luton. Eight Totternhoe chalk stones stand around a central chalk circle, aligned with seasonal and geographical markers—inviting reflection, celebration, and connection to place.
But Luton Henge is more than sculpture. It’s an act of landscape regeneration. The artwork is surrounded by newly planted chalk grassland—transforming a disused BMX track into a vibrant meadow of wildflowers, native grasses and shrubs. Local volunteer groups will help bring the meadow to life in autumn 2025, with a carefully designed plan to restore habitat and support biodiversity, including planting cowslips, yellow rattle, juniper and box.
A new accessible chalk path links the site to the nearby Marsh House community centre, with hand-crafted timber benches offering places to rest, reflect and gather. Around the site, the Luton Henge Collective—a growing group of local people—will care for the space and help keep it welcoming, inclusive and alive with activity. Workshops, walks, creative events, and learning opportunities will make this a space not only to visit—but to belong to.
Project location
Luton Henge is located in Leagrave Park, on a 1,794m² site beside Marsh House Community Centre (LU3 2SR) at the heart of Marsh Farm. Once a neutral grassland and former BMX track, this space is now set to be transformed into a vibrant hub for nature, creativity, and community.
Contribution to Big Chalk
Luton Henge is a Big Chalk project in every sense—bringing together people, place and nature to restore chalk habitat, create cultural connection, and inspire long-term stewardship. By planting chalk-loving wildflowers and native shrubs, the project will increase local habitat diversity and build connectivity with nearby chalk grassland sites.
Just as importantly, this is a space shaped by community. With deep roots in local culture, identity and creativity, Luton Henge will serve as a living classroom, a volunteer hub, and a beacon for citizen science and chalk engagement. Future activities may include school projects, habitat surveys, and links to the Not Bourne Yesterday heritage programme, currently in development.
Luton Henge shows what happens when nature recovery is powered by imagination—and when public art becomes public action.
Do you have a project that could strengthen the future of southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes?
The Big Chalk programme brings together a dynamic suite of partner-led projects, each unique in its focus, area, and partnerships but sharing a commitment to our collective vision.
If your project contributes to the Big Chalk mission, we invite you to register it as a Big Chalk Project. Registered projects gain access to networking, shared learning, and best practice—alongside the Big Chalk brand, boosting your profile and connecting you to a powerful, growing network of partners.
Together, these projects form a united effort to secure the future of southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, making a lasting impact for nature and communities.