Explore the Mythic Coast at Cleveleys Seafront

Explore the Mythic Coast on Cleveleys Seafront, with the artwork trail that follows the story of the Sea Swallow.

The primary function of the Cleveleys sea defence scheme (the final phase opened in 2010) is to protect the coastline from flooding. The fabulous, award winning promenade also gives great access to the beach, and it’s a brilliant leisure amenity. It’s a wonderful spot to visit and somewhere to enjoy the coast. It attracts people from near and far.

Funding for the ‘Cleveleys Mythic Coastline’ project was secured by Wyre Council through Sea Change. It was a national fund designed to regenerate the coast through the Arts. Here in Cleveleys it funded a legacy to follow the sea defence works. It’s a story which is Cleveleys very own for the future.

The Sea Swallow and the Mythic Coast on Cleveleys Seafront

The Sea Swallow is Cleveleys own story, underpinning the Mythic Coast. A fairytale written for children, it blends legend with local features and folklore. It includes the legends of sunken villages inspired by Singleton Thorpe and the petrified forest which you can still sometimes see on the beach today.

The Sea Swallow storybook is written by Gareth Thompson and illustrated by Hannah McGee. It’s brought to life through a series of pieces of public artwork in a trail along the seafront. In 2011, each primary school child in Wyre was given a copy of the book.

Mythic Coast Merchandise

The Sea Swallow story and features from the book are popular local attractions. With the opening of the Care for Cleveleys Shop at Princess Road came a range of merchandise and gifts to buy. The Sea Swallow story book is available, along with mini 3D-printed ogres, paintings and photographs. Choose from a wide range of Cleveleys and Mythic Coast merchandise.

Artwork Trail: Mythic Coast on Cleveleys Seafront

Take a look at the pieces in the trail. The first two sculptures were installed in early 2012. Follow the links to find out more about each of the individual pieces of artwork, with photos and detailed video for each one. This walkthrough, from the Sea Swallow to Mary’s Shell, is from May 2020.

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And here’s the second part of the Mythic Coast Trail, from the tall, white Sea Swallow, walking south towards the Shipwreck Memorial and Blackpool –

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Save this map onto your phone – it shows you where you’ll find each piece!

Why don’t you make a break of it? Cleveleys is a great place to visit – close by to the bright lights of Blackpool but totally different! You can have a great holiday here on the Fylde Coast, with plenty to see and do. Check out our accommodation guide

The Sea Swallow Sculpture

The namesake ‘Sea Swallow’ is a huge, slim, white, graceful sculpture. Cut into the top, the birds fly over the beach. See them soar above in all weathers, and used as a perch by the local starlings.

The sculpture stands guard over the promenade and main high street. You can see it right from the far end of Victoria Road West as you approach the town, as far away as the roundabout at Morrisons supermarket.

Shipwreck Memorial Sculpture

At the boundary where Cleveleys meets Blackpool is the Shipwreck Memorial.

It remembers all of the vessels which have run aground on the Fylde coast. From the mists of time to the most recent wrecking of the Riverdance Ferry in 2008.

Giant Ogre’s Paddle

Opposite the buildings of Jubilee Leisure Park, you’ll find the Ogre’s Paddle.

It’s a huge wooden carving on the upper promenade, facing the sea, inscribed with words from the Sea Swallow story book. Feel free to sit on it and take a selfie!

The Ogre

Head north along the promenade (with the sea on your left). Just beyond the Paddle, opposite Jubilee Gardens, is a rock groyne. On the north side of the groyne, right at the seaward end, when the tide is out you’ll see the Ogre himself. He might take a bit of finding – in 2025 a rock maze was wrapped around him too!

Our stone friend usually wears a green coat of seaweed which helps him to blend into the rocks but does get a proper jet-wash every so often – and turns white! But he’s got a very kind face… head down onto the sands at low tide and say hello to our big stone friend.

You can: Check the weather and tides to see whether our friend is underwater! Check out Beach cam too.

Mary’s Shell

When the tide is out you’ll not miss Mary’s Shell. Huge and unmissable, it’s on the sand near to the round seafront cafe building. Walk down onto the sand at low tide and climb inside the shell, peer through the end of it towards the sea.

Even when the tide is in, you can usually still see the top of it! Look for the steelwork… poking up through the waves. Make sure to take lots of photos – everyone else does. Don’t forget to share yours with us!

Glass-Look Resin Sea Swallows

The plan was to install a series of these beautiful little resin Sea Swallows along the sea wall near to the Sea Swallow Sculpture at the end of Victoria Road West. Sadly, they were vandalised on the day of installation, so removed for safe keeping.

Petrified Forest Interpretation Sign

A shadow of a former woodland lies on the beach, submerged by rising tides many centuries ago. One of the plans was for a piece to explain the Petrified Forest which lays out on the beach.

It was to be made from reinforced glass and galvanised steel sections, replacing the safety rail on the promenade. Large in size, it would have been 1.5 x 3m, to explain the story of the sunken, petrified forest.