Swanage Art Galleries

(Swanage, Dorset, England, UK)



Town centre photoMany of the local art galleries around Swanage capture the breathtaking coastal views in a number of different mediums, such as watercolour paintings and atmospheric black and white photography. The Mulberry Tree Gallery can be found along the High Street, in Swanage town centre, where it showcases the works of local Dorset artists from across the Isle of Purbeck, as well as plenty of international artists.

Other good Swanage art galleries include the Photographers Lounge, the QUARR Gallery and Sunshine Ceramics, all of which stand on the High Street, as well as the Art Hut on the Pier Approach. Nearby, the eclectic Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth also warrants a very deserved mention.


Mulberry Tree Gallery

Address: 57 High Street, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LT, England, UK
Tel: +44 01929 423141
Being of a commercial nature, all of the art works at the Mulberry Tree Gallery are for sale and include paintings, photographic works, vibrant glassware, contemporary ceramics and unique Purbeck stone sculptures, as well as quirky jewellery and even a selection of handmade gift cards. Regular exhibitions are staged throughout the year, with some of the most popular artists including Beryl Cook, John Knapp-Fisher, Louise Braithwaite, Michael Kidd and Sherree Valentine Daines, amongst others.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Sunshine Ceramics

Address: 65A High Street, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LY, England, UK
Tel: +44 01929 422332
A fun family attraction also situated on the High Street, close to the beach, Sunshine Ceramics allows visitors of all ages to get hands on and create their very own, personal pottery masterpiece. The studio is always a great place to come on a rainy day and visitors get to decorate a blank piece of ceramic, such as a mug or plate, with a little advice from the experts on hand. The ceramics are then glazed and fired, and ready for collection or posting in just five days.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Photographers Lounge

Address: 38 High Street, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2NX, England, UK
Tel: +44 01929 424414
Close to the Mulberry Tree Gallery, the Photographers Lounge is located just across from Mount Pleasant Lane and is dedicated to all kinds of photography. Founded as recently as 2008, the Photographers Lounge is now well known in the Swanage area and offers various photography exhibitions, with traditional photos in black and white, and colour, as well as modern digital prints, books and postcards. Photographers must often first win the 'Open Shutter Photography Exhibition' before being allocated space and permitted to exhibit at the Lounge.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Art Hut

Address: Pier Approach, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LN, England, UK
The Art Hut enjoys a rather atmospheric and exposed seaside setting, being located within the Old Bus Hut, next to the pier and Stone Quay. Step inside this wooden hut to find lots of paintings, prints, murals, photos and other artists creations. Visitors coming to the Art Hut are able to park close by, on Broad Road.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

QUARR Gallery

Address: 17 High Street, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LP, England, UK
Tel: +44 01929 475719
The commercial QUARR Gallery has become known around Swanage for its impressive collection of paintings and photographs, which regularly draw inspiration from natural scenery along the Jurassic Coast. Many of the limited edition prints are quite affordable, while for something a little more usual, check out the wooden carvings and silver jewellery, both of which often have a strong marine theme.
Open hours: daily - 11:30 to 18:00, opening hours can be extended if required
Admission: free

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Address: East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA, England, UK
Tel: +44 01202 451800
Located close to Swanage and within the neighbouring seaside town of Bournemouth, the acclaimed Russell-Cotes Art Gallery is certainly worth a look if you are in the area. Housing an eclectic array of art works and oriental objects, the gallery contains many pieces that were collected by the wealthy Russell-Cotes family during the Victorian era. The building itself is a beautifully decorated 19th-century house and comprises a permanent collection with more than 200 different paintings, as well as roughly 2,000 Japanese souvenirs and a large number of classical sculptures. Other highlights include an authentically landscaped Japanese garden and awesome views across Poole Bay.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free