Bournemouth launches 10-mile 'selfie wall trail' of specially commissioned street art

Seven artists adorn 11 walls, from Happyland to a Ladies’ loo

On the eve of Bank Holiday weekend, Bournemouth and Poole made a bid to lure more summer visitors with a 10-mile “Selfie Wall Trail” of specially commissioned murals.

Seven artists have decorated 11 walls along the Dorset seafront, ranging from an owl outside a public convenience in Sandbanks to a fox standing out from a beach office in Southbourne.

Journey’s end: the final stop on the Selfie Wall Trail in Southbourne (Matt Carruthers)

The trail was conceived by Iain Alexander, resident artist for the local gallery Ambassadeur Art, who paints under the tag ALTR-EGO. Last year he helped create a giant Spiderman on a wall near Bournemouth Pier.

“We wanted to once again contribute to the art scene in this fantastic seaside town,” he said.

One of Mr Alexander’s works is included on the trail: “Floating Love”, an image of a heart created from hundreds of butterflies.

The leading local artist, Miroslav Lucan, has created “Into the Stars”: a burgundy space rocket complete with a spaceman adjacent to the Happyland amusement arcade. Nearby is a colourful dolphin with the advice “Follow your dreams”.

Bournemouth councillor Pat Oakley said: “We hope visitors and residents alike will get involved, get fit, take selfies and other photos and enter the incredible competition.”

“Into the Stars” by local artist Miroslav Lucan (Simon Calder)

Poole councillor John Challinor said: “The project is a perfect way for families and groups of friends to either explore the whole of the 10 miles of seafront or shorter distances – running, walking or cycling.”

However, cycling is banned on the seafront path between 10am and 6pm in July and August.

Bournemouth is 105 minutes by train from the UK’s leading street-art location: Leake Street beneath Waterloo station in London, a constantly changing gallery.