Signage for Chesil Beach visitor centre, Dorset

About This Project

The UK has some remarkable places, but surely Chesil Beach stands out as one of the most unique. Those who know such things tell us it’s made from 180 billion pebbles varying from fist-sized pebbles at one end to shingle at the other.

Dorset Wildlife Trust manage the Visitor Centre from where you can explore the wonders of Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon including the wildlife, history and of course views that you can’t get anywhere else.

The signage here is exposed to the bracing winds off the Channel, a fresh south-westerly being able to travel for 3000 miles uninterrupted, so along with salt spray and high UV it’s a challenging environment. Chunky oak posts with HardRok™ trays provide a perfect combination of durability and sustainability. The oak weathers down to an attractive silver-grey colour contrasting dramatically with the pin-sharp 10 year anti-fade HardRok™ graphics. Matching signage on the building completes the branding.

The photographs show a visit on a blustery March day and demonstrates the weathering process clearly. The larger sign (with 5 panels) had been in place for over 6 months and the smaller sign (with 3 panels) was fresh from the workshop.

This combination just seems to work perfectly at this very special site, especially as it can be easily updated – fulfilling our triple aim of durability, sustainability and scalability. When you are next in Dorset please make a point of visiting Chesil Beach and if you have time carry on down to Portland Bill to really soak up the atmosphere – and the salty spray – of the Jurassic Coast.