Summary
A striking shingle beach stretching 8 miles from Portland to Abbotsbury,
Chesil Bank protects a shallow lagoon called The Fleet from the ravages
of the sea. The Bank and Fleet provide habitat for a variety of bird
and plant life, as well as a large colony of mute swans at the Abbotsbury
Swannery.
Chesil Bank and the Fleet
Looking down on Chesil Bank from the headland of Portland it is hard
to realize just how high the shingle rises. Descend to Chiswell, at
the most southerly end of the causeway connecting Portland to the bustling
port of Weymouth, and you see that the dune towers over nearby multi-story
buildings!
Atop Chesil Beach near the Ferrybridge
visitor information centre
Chesil Bank is a "storm beach", and local legend has it that
the beach was created in one night by a violent storm. More likely,
the shingle was created by a geological action in the last ice age that
threw up large quantities of seabed matter. Whatever its provenance,
The Bank is a striking and largely unspoiled pebble beach, like a dune
composed of stones rather than sand. It stretches from Portland to Abbotsbury,
8 miles (13 km) away, and along the way, its bulk rovides shelter for
the unique flora and fauna of The Fleet
The Fleet is a long, narrow lagoon, with only a narrow entrance to
seawater via Portland Harbour at Ferrybridge. The sheltering effect
of Chesil Bank on the seward side of the lagoon causes The Fleet to
be warmer in summer and cooler in winter than the surrounding area.
The unique characteristics of The Fleet allow several distinct types
of habitat; Saltmarsh, Freshwater marsh, and coastal grass clifs. The
area provides important breeding ground to several bird species as well,
among them the little tern and ringed plover. The Fleet supports over
150 species of seaweed and 60 species of mollusc. The western end of
The Fleet is home to a very large mute swan colony, wich can be visited
at the Abbotsbury
Swannery.
This unique nature reserve is operated by the Ilchester Estate, who
have owned the property since 1543. The estate provides a warden to
look after the interests of wildlife in the region, and administers
the information centre at Ferrybridge. For images of this unique environment,
see a selection of our Chesil
Bank Photos
Chesil Bank looms over this inn in
Chiswell, Portland, at the eastern end of the beach.
Getting There
Access to the visitor centre at Ferrybridge is off the A354 on the causeway
between Portland and Weymouth. Access also at the village of Fleet,
3 miles west of Weymouth off the B3157, and at Abbottsbury.
Contact
Chesil Bank and Fleet Nature Reserve
The Royal Manor of Portland Chesil Beach Centre
Portland Beach Road
Potrtland, Dorset
DT4 9NE
Tel 01305 760579
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