Sway Accommodation

Sway Tourist Information Artsway New Forest Hampshire

Sway is a village renowned for the 66 metre high concrete tower, Peterson's Tower, built in 1883. Eccentric Judge Peterson wanted to prove how concrete could be used as a building material and built the folly entirely out of Portland cement. You can see it for miles around the New Forest.

Artsway is the other main attraction in Sway. A contemporary visual arts facility where regular exhibitions are held and where you can also take part in arts workshops or training courses.

Featured Hampshire Accommodation

The Old Chapel Bed & Breakfast - The New Forest

Beautifully converted chapel with charming bed & breakfast rooms in Sway near Lymington. Families welcome, ground floor accommodation.

£28 to £35 Per person B&B (2 sharing)

Sway Tourist Information

Sway is a village in the south of the New Forest National Park. It's on the main Weymouth to London rail line making it an easy stop-off by public transport.

Sway has been in existence for centuries and Stone Age implements have been excavated here and Bronze Age barrows have yielded funerary urns.

Sway is most famous for the Peterson's Tower which was built as something of a folly in 1879-83 using Portland cement. He wanted to build something to show that concrete could be used for building purposes which is odd as the Romans had proved this centuries before! His aim was actually to show that un-reinforced concrete could be used. At the time it was completed it was the tallest concrete structure in the world at 66 metres high. It is something of a landmark and can be seen for miles around.

The book "Children of the New Forest" by Captain Frederick Marryat was set in and around Sway.

Artsway Gallery

In more recent years Sway has become renowned for being home to the internationally acclaimed Artway contemporary visual arts gallery.

It began as a gallery in 1997 and soon developed into an exhibition space and training facility. It was set up to provide a relatively remote community with a venue to view contemporary art and provide the support for the community to pursue the arts.

There are regular exhibitions throughout the year as well as training courses and workshops for all ages and abilities.

When exhibitions are on Artsway is open Tues-Sun 11am-5pm. At other times just the craft and book shop is open. Check the link right for details of current exhibitions and workshops. ArtSway, Station Road, Sway, Hampshire SO41 6BA. Tel: 01590 682260. Fax: 01590 681989.