There’s something about seascapes that inspire creativity. It’s no wonder Britain’s coastline has long drawn artists to sketch, sculpt and capture it on canvas.
You don’t have to visit a gallery or be a creative connoisseur to interact with art by the sea. All around the UK coast, art is breaking beyond gallery walls and into the sea air. From giant sculptures to outdoor exhibitions and art trails, creative experiences connect you to the landscape with new perspectives that add a splash of magic to your time by the sea.
Here are 10 coastal art experiences to seek out on your next seaside stay.
1. WILD and Sand Art at Watergate Bay, Cornwall
St Ives has long been Cornwall‘s artistic hub, but this summer, Watergate Bay transforms its surf-lashed terrain into a natural canvas. Sand art is woven into the Bay’s heritage, and to mark World Ocean Day (8 June), artist Sonia Shomalzadeh will carve giant humpback whales into the shore – blending environmental awareness with creative expression during her weekend residency. Then, on 5-6 July, Motionhouse brings its aerial acrobatics to the beach, with free showings of WILD – a gravity-defying dance and circus act performed against the Atlantic backdrop.
2. Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall
Overlooking Mounts Bay near Penzance, Tremenheere fuses art, architecture and nature. Follow winding trails through sub-tropical gardens to discover striking sculptures by the likes of James Turrell and David Nash. A camera obscura and elliptical domed chamber add a sense of wonder, while a rotating gallery programme ensure each visit offers something new.
3. Anthony Gormley’s Another Place, Crosby Beach, Merseyside
Set your compass northwest to witness one of the most iconic coastal art installations in the UK. Anthony Gormley’s Another Place consists of 100 life-size cast-iron figures scattered along Crosby Beach in Merseyside. The figures are positioned to face out to sea, creating a striking visual connection between the sculptures and the vast landscape, and the changing tides and weather conditions make this an ever-evolving, elemental experience.
4. Creative Folkestone Artworks, Kent
Explore the UK’s largest outdoor urban contemporary art exhibition in Folkestone, where modern art collides with the charm of a traditional seaside town. Antony Gormley, Banksy, and Tracey Emin are amongst the artists behind over 70 captivating artworks spread along the coast – from a giant horn-shaped Siren that captures the sounds of the waves like a colossal seashell, to Cornelia Parker’s take on Copenhagen’s ‘Little Mermaid’.
5. Coastal Culture Trail, East Sussex
Bag a cottage by the coast to walk, cycle or train-hop your way between three fantastic contemporary art galleries – and three vibrant arty towns – in East Sussex: Towner Eastbourne, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, and Hastings Contemporary. Along the 18-mile stretch, enjoy clifftop views, beachside cafés and creative stops galore.
6. Celf ar Droed (Art Afoot), Pembrokeshire
Looking for a creative way to walk the Welsh coast? Art Afoot – or Celf ar Droed – is a trio of trails linking linking Pembrokeshire’s Fishguard and Goodwick, via a series of impressive artworks from a giant seahorse to a sculptural archway. Pick up a hand-drawn map or download a digital version, and follow the waymarkers to sculptures, heritage monuments, and digital artworks accessed on your phone, all highlighting local wildlife, stories and seascapes.
7. The Scallop, Aldeburgh Beach, Suffolk
Step onto Aldeburgh Beach in Suffolk, and you’ll immediately spot the striking four-metre-high steel scallop shell rising from the shingle. This is Maggi Hambling’s tribute to composer Benjamin Britten, inscribed with the haunting line: “I hear those voices that will not be drowned,” from Peter Grimes. As you sit on the edge of the sculpture and face the sea, you’ll feel connected to the landscape Britten cherished so much – an evocative setting where art and nature come together.
8. Wild Eye, Scarborough, Yorkshire
Along the rugged Yorkshire coastline, Wild Eye beckons you to immerse yourself in a creative fusion of art and nature. Via a series of projects you’ll discover seaweed sculptures, intricate mosaics, and sound art that interacts with the landscape. Jeremy Deller’s Roman Mosaic brings marine creatures to life, while Emma Smith’s installations along the Cinder Track connect you with the local wildlife. Wander through Scarborough or Whitby with Rob Mackay’s Sea Songs Sound Walk guiding you – two unique audio journeys that bring the shoreline to your ears.
9. Turner Contemporary, Margate, Kent
Visit Turner Contemporary in Margate, where the gallery itself feels like part of the landscape – with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the dramatic skies and waves of the Kent coast. The building is a masterpiece of modern architecture, designed to bring the natural world indoors. Exhibitions often echo the sea just outside, with contemporary works that challenge your perspective. It’s a place where art and the coast harmonise, and you’ll leave feeling connected to both.
10. Stampede by the Sea, Dorset
Wander the Jurassic Coast from West Bay to Lyme Regis this summer, and you’ll be greeted by a playful parade of fifty artist-designed elephant sculptures. Stampede by the Sea is an interactive art trail that’s as fun as it is fascinating, with each elephant crafted by local artists. Whether you’re exploring the beaches or wandering through charming coastal towns, the sculptures make for a unique way to discover Dorset’s iconic stretch of coastline. It’s family-friendly, vibrant, and a perfect way to blend art with exploration. Don’t forget to snap a photo with your favourite elephant along the way!
Book Your Next Art-Venture By The Sea
Find your perfect seaside cottage at Simply Sea Views, and start planning your next escape – where coast meets creativity.
