Between Argyll Road and Horace Road, on the stretch of the Boscombe Arts Trail heading up towards the shopping precinct, stands one of its more playful pieces: Verne. A diving helmet is set on top of an octopus, a design that nods directly to Jules Verne and his novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, one of several literary and historical references woven into the trail.
The Boscombe Arts Trail
Verne is one of seven sculptures commissioned in 2010 from Dorset sculptor Andy Kirkby, chosen by a panel of arts professionals, local residents and ward councillors as part of Boscombe's seafront regeneration. The pieces share a marine theme and common materials, bronze, copper and cast iron, linked by a recurring gilded rope motif. Other surviving works on the trail include Optic, a marble sphere caged behind park bench railings on Sea Road, and Murano, a Venetian-style glass dome overlooking Boscombe Pier.
Visiting
Verne sits in the open air, so it can be seen at any time, free of charge, as part of a walk along the Boscombe Arts Trail. Explore more of the area's outdoor art and seafront walks in our guide to things to do in Bournemouth.
