The Swivelling Wind Shelters, Blackpool
Known affectionately as the 鈥淲hale Tail Sculptures,鈥� The Swivelling Wind Shelters are among the most striking installations along Blackpool鈥檚 South Promenade. Created in 2004 by architect Ian McChesney in collaboration with engineering firm Atelier One, these wind-driven structures are part of The Great Promenade Show鈥攁 two-kilometer open-air gallery of contemporary public art.
Standing 8 meters tall and crafted from wood and corrosion-resistant Duplex stainless steel, the shelters are not just sculptural; they are functional marvels of engineering. Their wing-like form鈥攔eminiscent of a whale鈥檚 tail or an aircraft fin鈥攚as shaped by a simple but elegant concept: a single form that acts both as a wind vane and a protective baffle. Mounted on a four-metre-wide dampened turntable, each shelter pivots smoothly to face away from the prevailing wind, ensuring that anyone inside stays shielded from the elements.
Originally, three shelters were installed. Today, only two remain, rotating gently with the coastal breeze. Their motion is subtle but constant, a kinetic ballet that responds directly to the environment.
Commissioned as part of Blackpool Borough Council鈥檚 ambitious seafront redevelopment, the shelters stand not only as practical refuges but as enduring icons of design innovation and seaside resilience. A full-scale prototype was tested before installation to ensure the concept could withstand Blackpool's gusty conditions.
Whether you're caught in a sudden squall or just want a moment of rest with a panoramic sea view, the Swivelling Wind Shelters offer both beauty and refuge鈥攑roof that architecture can be both playful and practical.
Standing 8 meters tall and crafted from wood and corrosion-resistant Duplex stainless steel, the shelters are not just sculptural; they are functional marvels of engineering. Their wing-like form鈥攔eminiscent of a whale鈥檚 tail or an aircraft fin鈥攚as shaped by a simple but elegant concept: a single form that acts both as a wind vane and a protective baffle. Mounted on a four-metre-wide dampened turntable, each shelter pivots smoothly to face away from the prevailing wind, ensuring that anyone inside stays shielded from the elements.
Originally, three shelters were installed. Today, only two remain, rotating gently with the coastal breeze. Their motion is subtle but constant, a kinetic ballet that responds directly to the environment.
Commissioned as part of Blackpool Borough Council鈥檚 ambitious seafront redevelopment, the shelters stand not only as practical refuges but as enduring icons of design innovation and seaside resilience. A full-scale prototype was tested before installation to ensure the concept could withstand Blackpool's gusty conditions.
Whether you're caught in a sudden squall or just want a moment of rest with a panoramic sea view, the Swivelling Wind Shelters offer both beauty and refuge鈥攑roof that architecture can be both playful and practical.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Blackpool. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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The Swivelling Wind Shelters on Map
Sight Name: The Swivelling Wind Shelters
Sight Location: Blackpool, England (See walking tours in Blackpool)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Blackpool, England (See walking tours in Blackpool)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Blackpool, England
Create Your Own Walk in Blackpool
Creating your own self-guided walk in Blackpool is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Blackpool Introduction Walking Tour
Between the Ribble and Wyre rivers on the west coast of England was a strip of sandy beach seven miles long. It was a pleasant place, where streams would run through peat bogs before emptying into the sea, turning the water dark. People called the place "Black Pool." Since early days, folks sought the benefits of fresh sea air and water.
Blackpool became a tourist magnet in the 1840s.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Blackpool became a tourist magnet in the 1840s.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Blackpool's Great Promenade
Blackpool's Great Promenade, a vibrant stretch of coastal pathway, is an interesting area to explore. Here you will find a plethora of attractions and sights to behold complete with several amusement parks.
One of the iconic landmarks along this promenade is the Blackpool South Pier, emphasizing adrenaline-producing entertainment, a tradition maintained since 1893. Nearby, Pleasure Beach... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the iconic landmarks along this promenade is the Blackpool South Pier, emphasizing adrenaline-producing entertainment, a tradition maintained since 1893. Nearby, Pleasure Beach... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles