100 Years of Sand Sculpting Heritage in Weymouth

Weymouth draws visitors seeking traditional seaside charm, and cherished holiday memories. Our towns idyllic beach and shallow waters have made it a favourite coastal destination for generations.

Beyond its stunning coastline, Weymouth has long been a place of entertainment and nostalgia. From the iconic Punch and Judy puppet shows, a staple of British seaside culture, to celebrating the work of talented sand sculptors on our golden sands for over 100 years!

Fred Darrington began his sand sculpting journey in the 1920s and spent 70 incredible years perfecting his craft, captivating visitors with his lifelike creations. His sculptures ranged from pyramids and sphinxes to The Last Supper and even a Loch Ness Monster. Renowned for his unique ability to add colour and intricate detail, Fred's work became a must-see attraction on Weymouth Beach.

During this time, Jack Hayward, another legendary Weymouth sand sculptor, made his mark. Known for his stunning architectural designs, particularly of ecclesiastical buildings, Jack sculpted on Weymouth Beach between the 1930s to the 1970s.

Fred's grandson, Mark Anderson, inherited his passion and talent, carrying on the family tradition. Mark fondly recalls how Fred would recreate his famous sandbread, often fooling amazed onlookers into believing it was real.

Mark later took over Weymouth's beachfront exhibition, bringing fun, friendly characters to life and ensuring that Fred's legacy endures. Over the years, he has sculpted everything from seahorses to royal landmarks, including a 20ft-wide Windsor Castle for a royal visit in 2009, admired by The Queen and Prince Philip.

In 2011, Mark co-founded SandWorld, Weymouth's first-ever sand sculpture festival, alongside his good friend and fellow sand artist of 20 years, David Hicks. Millions across the UK and beyond have admired David's sand sculptures, including his celebrated tribute to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which received widespread attention, even earning a thank-you card from Buckingham Palace.

Keeping the town's rich sand sculpting tradition alive, SandWorld at Lodmoor Park, Weymouth showcases incredible, original artwork from some of the world's finest sand artists and continues to amaze and inspire visitors of all ages. Mark also continues to sculpt at his exhibition pod on Weymouth Beach, delighting holidaymakers all year around.

While Mark and David's artistry has reached global audiences, their hearts remain in Weymouth, where generations have marvelled at the magic of sand transformed into art.

SandWorld reopens on 5th April 2025 and is open daily from 10.30am until Sunday 9th November.