Leave the Ordinary Behind
Hidden beneath the trees in the woods of Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard is a place where imagination still thrives.
The Fairy Sculpture Trail is a free, self-guided walk through art, nature, and story—a place created for children and adults alike to suspend reality for a little while, slow down, and see the world with fresh eyes.
As you wander the trails, you’ll discover whimsical sculptures nestled among the trees: Earth Guardians watching quietly from the forest floor, Tree Spirits emerging from ancient trunks, dragons, castles, musicians from Irish folklore, hidden fairy houses, and unexpected moments of magic waiting around each bend.
Some visitors come searching for fairies.
Others simply come searching for a little peace.
Either way, we hope you’ll leave the everyday world behind and allow your imagination to lead the way.
The Story Behind the Trail
The Fairy Sculpture Trail began with a simple idea:
What if there were a place where people could step away from everyday life and remember what it feels like to wonder?
Folk artist Bill O’Callaghan has spent a lifetime creating from imagination.
Born in Cork, Ireland, Bill grew up immersed in stories of Irish mythology and folklore. After moving to Martha’s Vineyard in his twenties, he worked as a mason and carpenter before discovering clay—a moment that awakened the artist within him.
Over the years, Bill’s sculptures began appearing throughout the island, each inspired by the natural materials he gathered along its shores and the legends that had filled his childhood imagination.
In 2018, Bill and his wife and creative partner, Heather Goff, found a wooded property that seemed to belong to the sculptures themselves.
Together they began creating something neither had seen before: not simply an outdoor sculpture exhibit, but an immersive story told through art, woodland paths, and imagination.
Bill fills the forest with sculptures, driftwood furniture, dragons, musicians, castles, Earth Guardians, and Tree Spirits.
Heather quietly hides sculpted faces and watchful eyes throughout the woods and writes the stories, reflections, and mythology that connect each scene into a larger tale.
Together, they continue adding new discoveries each year, allowing the trail to grow alongside the forest itself.
Planning Your Visit
The Fairy Sculpture Trail is free and open daily from 9:00 am until dusk, beginning Easter weekend.
The trail is approximately one-half mile and is designed to be explored at a leisurely pace. Many visitors spend between 30 and 60 minutes wandering, though you’re welcome to stay longer and enjoy the quiet beauty of the woods.
Before You Arrive
- Parking is available in our driveway.
- Download or view the Fairy Trail Map before beginning your adventure.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Please help us preserve the sculptures and the surrounding woodland by staying on the marked trails.
Tick Awareness
Like many beautiful outdoor places on Martha’s Vineyard, ticks can occasionally be present.
We work hard to keep the trails well maintained, and the main trail is sandy and clear. Staying on the marked trails helps reduce contact with tall grasses and brush.
For added peace of mind, we recommend applying insect repellent to your shoes, socks, and lower legs before your walk. Some visitors also choose to tuck their pants into their socks or wear tick-treated clothing.
After your adventure, you’re welcome to stop by the pottery shop and use the lint roller we keep available for visitors who would like to give their clothing a quick once-over.
Fairy Trail Map
Whether you’re hoping to visit the Story Circle, discover the Fairy Way Station, or explore the woodland sculptures, our map will help guide your adventure.
We Hope You’ll Leave With Wonder
Our greatest hope isn’t simply that you’ll see beautiful sculptures.
It’s that, for a little while, you’ll forget your errands, your deadlines, and everything waiting for you back in the everyday world.
Look closely.
Walk slowly.
Imagine freely.
May you leave with a story, a smile, and the feeling that perhaps the world still holds a little more magic than you thought when you arrived.