Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, an iconic British seaside retreat, offers families the chance to dive into the enchanting world of the Great Tail Trails, the UK’s first mermaid tail sculpture trail. This free, family-friendly art adventure features 45 giant mermaid tail sculptures and 43 smaller “Tiny Tails” scattered across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, running from 5 April to 1 June 2025
Each tail sculpture is uniquely designed by local and national artists, creating a vibrant and eye-catching display that brings the community together. The trail is organised by Julia’s House, a Dorset-based children’s hospice charity, in partnership with Wild in Art, aiming to raise vital funds to support families of children with life-limiting conditions
Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel’s Exclusive Mermaid Tail
As part of the trail, the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel proudly showcases its very own mermaid tail sculpture. Designed by Sarah Hutchinson-Jarman, a Cotswolds-based author and illustrator known for her vibrant, nature-inspired artwork, this tale features a design focused on puffins, highlighting the drastic decline of Dorset’s Purbeck Puffins.
Trail Highlights:
Mermaid Tail Sculptures: Discover the stunning mermaid tails at key locations, including parks, beaches, and landmarks throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole.
Interactive Experience: Download the Great Tail Trail app to unlock rewards, track next steps, and explore the sculptures in a fun and engaging way, running until 15th June. Printed maps are also available for a suggested donation of £2 at the hotel and from Julia’s House charity shops.
The Great Tail Trail Auction: On 20 June 2025, the giant mermaid tail sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for Julia’s House, allowing guests to bid on their favorite pieces and support a worthy cause.
Michael Regenhardt, General Manager at Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, said: “Being part of the wider local community for the past 150 years, the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel is proud to sponsor this initiative, supporting the vital and essential assistance and services provided by the team at Julia’s House. The Great Tail Trail is a fantastic and fun way to demonstrate our commitment to Julia’s House while being part of a fabulous trail showcasing the best that Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch have to offer.”
Perfect for exploration over the May half-term break, The Great Tail Trail offers a unique opportunity for families to enjoy art, nature, and community spirit while supporting a meaningful cause.
For more information, visit Julia’s House Tail Trail. To find out more or book a stay at Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, please visit www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/bohbm-bournemouth highcliff-marriott-hotel/overview/. Room rates start at £84, based on two adults sharing.
