A new Heritage Arts Trail celebrating Bridgwater’s rich history and heritage has officially launched, creating a unique route through the town that combines art, storytelling and local history.
The trail, which forms the final legacy project of the Animating the Town programme, was unveiled following a special preview evening attended by artists, community groups, project partners and contributors who helped bring the ambitious initiative to life. Guests were invited to view photographs of the sculptures and hear about the journey behind the project ahead of the official launch and inaugural guided walk.
Funded through the Town Deal programme, with additional support from Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC), the trail celebrates the people, industries, landmarks and events that have shaped Bridgwater’s unique identity.
Stretching across a three-mile route through the town, the trail features 18 interpretation boards and 12 striking willow sculptures, alongside ‘Little Jessie: A Horse for Bridgwater’, a life-size steel sculpture of a Gypsy Cob horse created by Romani artist Jake Bowers in collaboration with local residents.
Starting at St Matthew’s Field and ending at Cornhill, the trail takes visitors through key locations including the town’s canal, docks, Brewery Field, riverside and Blake Gardens.
Each interpretation board tells a different story from Bridgwater’s past through carefully researched text, artwork and design, highlighting the town’s rich industrial, cultural and social heritage. The trail has been designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing people to complete the full route in one visit or explore it in smaller sections over time.
The project was developed with the support and expertise of South West Heritage Trust, Bridgwater Heritage Group, Bridgwater Blue Heritage and Blake Museum, helping to ensure the stories featured reflect the breadth and diversity of Bridgwater’s heritage.
The twelve willow sculptures, inspired by themes drawn from the town’s history, were created by a team of artists led by Serena de la Hey, working alongside Amanda Webb, Oskars Gould, Sally Mann, Sarah Meikle and Serena de la Fuente with more than 250 people participating in creating the artworks through a series of community projects involving local organisations, schools and groups from across the town.
Community partners included Friends of the Meads and Seed of Hope, Victoria Community Centre and Headstart, Bridgwater Sea Cadets, Bridgwater & Taunton College, The Bridge School, The Nelson Trust, Northgate Primary School, The Brick and Tile Museum, Blossom, Bridgwater Carnival Committee, Somerset Willow, Eastover Primary School and St Mary’s Church community.
Councillor Brian Smedley, Leader of Bridgwater Town Council, led the official launch walk and welcomed the trail as a celebration of the town’s heritage and the communities that continue to shape its future.
Councillor Irena Hubble said,
“The Heritage Arts Trail is a wonderful celebration of Bridgwater’s rich history, culture and community spirit. This project not only tells the stories of our town’s past but also showcases the creativity and collaboration that continue to shape its future. It is fantastic to see so many local organisations, artists and residents contributing to a legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Jeremy James , Project Lead for Animating the Town said,
“From the outset, the ambition was to create something that would leave a lasting mark on the town while celebrating the people and stories that make Bridgwater unique. The Heritage Arts Trail has brought together artists, heritage organisations, community groups and residents in an extraordinary way. The result is more than a trail; it is a living celebration of Bridgwater’s identity, creativity and heritage that people can continue to explore and enjoy for years to come.”
The Heritage Arts Trail is one of three legacy projects delivered through the Animating the Town programme, which formed part of Bridgwater’s Town Deal. Alongside the trail, the programme has created the striking Eastover Mural and the Bridgwater Here and Now Website, ensuring lasting cultural assets remain for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
These legacy projects sit alongside a wide range of temporary events, installations and creative activities that helped animate the town throughout the programme. From Luke Jerram’s spectacular Fallen Moon installation in Bridgwater Docks to community arts projects, performances, exhibitions and workshops, Animating the Town has celebrated creativity, encouraged participation and helped people see Bridgwater’s streets, spaces and stories in new ways.
As the final legacy project to be unveiled, the Heritage Arts Trail leaves a lasting celebration of Bridgwater’s people, places and heritage, connecting communities with the town’s rich history.