Route Name: Swanage

Grade: Easy to Moderate
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DescriptionThe Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail - Swanage Section - This trail can be enjoyed by creating your own route to each point either by following the coastal path and town centre.
Steps
  1. 1. Wellington Clock Tower: (Peveril Point) Brought to Swanage in 1868 by George Burt, the Wellington clock tower is the largest of the relics brought from London as ballast. It originally stood at the southern approach to London Bridge but was taken down by the John Mowlem Company as it impeded the traffic. Presented to Thomas Docwra, who owned the Grove, it remains in situ following the removal of the Grosvenor Hotel and construction of the Haven flats.
    Wellington Clock Tower
  2. 2.The Lady of the Rocks: Mary Spencer Watson (Prince Albert Gardens) Renowned sculptor, Mary trained in Paris under Zadkine. Her works can be found in Salisbury and Wells Cathedrals. In August 1996, Mary started the Lady of the Rocks, a woman with a swan, it was inspired by the pinnacle, a chalk stack off Ballard Down, with the figure shaped to reflect its form.
    The Lady of the Rocks: Mary Spencer Watson
  3. 3. Pavement design (Pier Approach.
    Pavement design (Pier 
Approach.
  4. 4. Fish Motif: Valentine Quinn (benches, Pier Approach).
  5. 5. Mermaid: Jonathan Sells (Gee Whites, Stone Quay)
  6. 6. Octopus: Jonathan Sells (Gee Whites, Stone Quay)
  7. 7. Fish Motif, pebble mosaic: Maggie Howarth (The Square) Maggie’s artistic life started in the Fine Art Studio in the early 1960s followed by work in alternative theatre. ‘Happenings’, fire sculptures and giant puppet processions took Maggie to many towns where she noticed the lack of art in the built environment. In her work as a pebble mosaic artist she bridges the gap between artists and those in charge of the built environment. Her ability to look at the spaces and listen to local stories enabled her to design the mosaics for a particular place.
  8. 8. The Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre (The Square) Displays and information on the history of stone quarrying and the stone trade. Open daily: Easter to October. Weekends only: November to December. Admission free.
    The Swanage Museum 
and Heritage Centre
  9. 9. Obelisk: John Mowlem (Shore Road, Seafront) John Mowlem’s granite monument of 1863 celebrating Alfred the Great’s victory over the Danes in Swanage Bay in A.D. 877.
    Obelisk: John Mowlem 
(Shore Road, Seafront)
  10. 10. Commemorative seat: Helen and Joan Muspratt (Shore Road Gardens) A memorial seat dedicated to renowned photographers, Helen and Joan Muspratt. The carving by Brenda Berman and Annet Stirling (Incisive Letter-work) was based on Helen’s headed note paper, designed by Fra Newberry and clearly influenced by his pupil Charles Rennie Mackintosh of the Glasgow School of Art.
  11. 11. Suzannah (figure): Carlotta Barrow (Grand Hotel, Swanage) Living on the site of an ancient marble quarry, Carlotta has a passion for stone. With tuition from established sculptors, she has now evolved her own style. Her early life as a professional dancer has contributed to a love of movement and form.
  12. 12. Chalk Stone Cairn: Lesley Licudi (North Beach) In 2007 Lesley created this cairn, placing stones with her happiest memories. It is still growing with a wish and a prayer from the many passers-by. A true work in progress.
  13. 13. Town Hall Façade: (High Street, Swanage) Originally the front of the Old Mercer’s Hall in Cheapside, London it was designed by John Oliver and Edward Jarman (a pupil of Wren) and completed in 1682. The Mowlem Company secured the contract for widening Cheapside and rather than destroying the façade, George Burt shipped it to Swanage to form the central feature of the town hall.
  14. 14. Lion and Unicorn Gates: (St George’s playing field, Victoria Avenue, Swanage) These magnificent gates depicting the lion and unicorn were erected in 1951 when the playing field was dedicated to King George V on the 15th May of that year.
  15. 15. The Great Globe: (Durlston) The Portland stone Great Globe is one of the largest stone spheres in the world. It was constructed in John Mowlem’s stone yard, Greenwich in 1887, then brought to Swanage by sea.
    The Great Globe at Durlston Country Park
  16. 16. Purbeck Quarryman: Mary Spencer Watson (St George’s Church) Credit Where Overdue There should have been a statue long ago To all those men whose names we do not know. Although forgotten by posterity They brought so many lovely things to be. Great architects without a trace of guilt Take all the praise for everything that’s built Though quoin and jamb and mullion and arch The columns and the fabric of the church Are all the products of the mason’s skill Without which they would be on paper still. So thanks! At last, Miss Mary, even though There should have been a statue long ago. (Poem by Geoff Hooper given to Mary to commemorate her sculpture)

Opening Times

2024 opening (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)