🗓️ 24th November 2023 – 16th February 2024 (Selected dates)
Enjoy a guided tour of Swanage’s newly-decorated flood defences on this winter art trail.
You’ll visit each part of the bay where the barriers are installed to protect the town from coastal flooding, and hear what inspired the artists to come up with their designs, as well as learn some interesting local geography.
Flooding Swanage With Art is an initiative by the Dorset Coast Forum designed to transform the grey concrete blocks into a visually-pleasing art trail, and with the aim of making them easier to see for visually impaired people.
The brightly-coloured murals depict various weather, sea and Dorset-related scenes and have been created by local artists, community groups and schools.
There are 70 painted panels in total, at four different locations along Swanage Beach, including at Monkey Beach, the stone quay and the slipway outside The Mowlem.
Art trail dates & times
Join the free art trail tour on the following days:
- Friday 24th November
- Tuesday 19th December
- Wednesday 24th January
- Friday 16th February
Meet at Andy Knill Art Studio at 11am (Commercial Road, just past Chococo).
The trail should last around an hour.
There’s no need to book – simply turn up.
The Flooding Swanage With Art trail can be viewed until spring, when the Environment Agency’s temporary winter wave barriers are removed until they are re-installed for the autumn/winter period.
Additionally, you can pick up an information leaflet on the art trail from Swanage Information Centre.
The eight-week project, initiated by the Dorset Coast Forum, was supported by Swanage Town Council. Dorset Council and the Environment Agency.