AN EXCITING new trail featuring various vibrant mermaid tails in a bid to enhance tourism in Bournemouth has been announced.

For eight weeks from April 5, 2025, more than 40 colourful sculptures measuring 1.8 metres tall, will be on display in popular locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Multiple businesses gathered together to celebrate the launch of the trail at Rockwater, presented by Julia's House on March 22.

Julia’s House is a charity dedicated to supporting the families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Bournemouth Echo:

Mike Bartlett, deputy CEO of Julia’s House, Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of Wild in Art and artist Stuart Semple spoke about the benefits of the new initiative.

Stuart said: “It’s an honour to be chosen as the first artist to paint one of the giant mermaid tails. The work that Julia’s House does is so important.

"This is the catalyst to do something wonderful.

“It helps so many families, and to be able to contribute my art to something like The Great Tail Trail means the world to me.”

Each of the giant mermaid tail sculptures are sponsored by a local business or organisation.

Julia’s House public fundraising manager, Laura Maidment, said: “We rely on public support to provide our critical care and each year we need to raise more money to ensure we can continue to be there for every family that needs us.

Bournemouth Echo:

“The Great Tail Trail will help us fundraise and reach people and businesses who don’t yet know about the lifeline of care we provide in the local community.

“We’ve especially chosen the mermaid tail sculpture as we have a Mermaid Suite at our Dorset hospice where we look after children at the end of their lives and support their families – it felt important to connect the trail directly to our care.”

Vikki Slade, leader of BCP Council, said: “I am delighted that The Great Tail Trail is coming to BCP in 2025.

“This will create a wonderful tourist attraction for local people and visitors to our area and will do so much to raise the profile of our local children’s hospice, Julia’s House.

“Having visited them on several occasions I know first-hand the inspirational work that they do to support seriously ill children and their families.

“I would encourage everyone to get involved and look forward to taking part in the trail myself.”