Jane's Midlife Journey

Most people come to Boscombe for the beach. And why not? It’s a beautiful beach. But there is more to Boscombe than just the seaside. If you can be tempted away from the golden sand, take the half a mile walk up the hill into the centre of Boscombe. This will bring you past the sculptures which make up the Boscombe Arts Trail.

Commissioned in 2010, this collection of seven works are the work of Dorset based sculptor Andy Kirkby. According to the plaque at the start of the trail, the sculptures were; “inspired by conversations with local residents and references to local history, the environment and the underwater tales of Jules Verne.”

Each of the sculptures, many of which glow blue at night, has a marine theme. They are linked through colour, materials (bronze, copper and cast iron) and a gilded rope feature, which is is intended to lead people towards the next piece of art.

Boscombe Arts Trail Route

The route follows Sea Road, starting just above the pier and ending in the pedestrian precinct. The total distance is just half a mile but does entail walking uphill for much of the way.

1. Murano

On the edge of Boscombe Chine Gardens, overlooking the pier and beyond, you will find Murano. This Venetian inspired dome gives the impression of being filled with sea creatures. It sits on a plate which provides orientation information.

2. Chemical Wedding

As you continue your journey up Sea Road, on foot or maybe by bike, you will find Chemical Wedding. This strange marriage of a fish and a bicycle is on the junction with Undercliff Road.

3. Optic

A little further up the hill, just past St John’s Road is Optic. Here, you will find a huge marble staring at you from behind the bars of a park bench, like an enormous glass eye.

4. Mary Shelley’s Feather

Cross Owls Road and on the the corner, you will find Mary Shelley’s Feather. This pays homage to the author of Frankenstein’s connection with the area. Mary had planned to move to Boscombe with her son, Percy but died before the house he had commissioned (Shelley Manor) was completed. Mary is buried at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth.

5. Verne

This diving helmet atop an octopus, between Agyll Road and Horace Road, pays homage to another renowned writer; Jules Verne. His novel 20,000 Leagues under the Sea has obviously left a lasting impression on the sculptor and is the inspiration for Verne.

6. Vessel

Just before you reach the pedestrian precinct, at the junction with Cecil Road, you will find Vessel. Here, someone has taken the title quite literally, and is using it as a plant pot stand.

7. Wings

The seventh, and final work, Wings, was at the end of Sea Road at the junction with the pedestrian precinct. It has subsequently been removed.

• Updated May 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.