Description:
The heritage coast extends from Seaton in the west almost to the Bill
of Portland in the east. This
is excellent walking country. The South West Coast Path runs along the
clifftops, but there are also numerous waymarked trails looping inland
from the coast.
One of
the most striking features along the coast is Chesil Beach, a long,
narrow spit of land reaching 18 miles from Portland Bill to Abbotsbury.
Chesil is a steep slope of shingle fronted by pebbles which have been
polished smooth by the action of the waves. Visitors can search for
"Hag" pebbles, which have a hole bored through them by the
natural action of the water.
The Chesil
Beach Centre near Portland tells the story of the regions unique geology
through a series of interactive displays. Visitors can also take a trip
on the glass-bottomed Fleet Observer boat to examine the marine
world of Chesil more closely.
At the
eastern end of Chesil Beach is Abbotsbury, famous for its seaside swannery,
where you can wander freely among the mute swans that have made this
area their home for over 600 years. Nearby is Abbotsbury Gardens, where
you can explore 20 acres of rare and exotic plants in a walled garden
setting.
The Lyme
Regis Marine Wildlife Area extends for 4 1/2 miles from Humble Point
to Charmouth, and is home to a huge variety of marine wildlife, including
seaweeds, algae, limpets, winkles, crustaceans, and the carnivorous
dogwhelk. The Heritage Coast Centre in Charmouth is an excellent place
to learn about the unique geology and geography of this area.
Lyme Regis
itself is lovely old port, most famous recently as the scene of John
Fowle's novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman. The area near Lyme
Regis is known as the Jurassic Coast, a tribute to the vast number of
fossils (mostly marine fossils) that have been found trapped in the
cliffs. The cliffs are given to landslips, so care should be taken,
especially in wet weather, when the undercliffs may become unstable.
Flower
meadows near the coast provide habitat for butterflies, and are at their
colourful best in May and early June.
Area
Countryside attractions:
Dorset AONB
This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty takes in the heritage coasts
of Purbeck and West Dorset, and stretches inland to cover the broad
chalk valleys and ridges of central Dorset. On the coast are the pebble
bank of Chesil Beach and the great arch of Durdle Door at Lulworth Cove.
The
South West Coast Path
Easily the longest and, in places, the most arduous, of England's
National Trails. The path begins at Poole and follows the south coast
to Land's End, then north and east to Minehead in Somerset. The route
is quite popular, and it can be crowded in the summer months, though
there are always long stretches where your only company will be a chorus
of sea birds. More
...
Purbeck
Heritage Coast
The heritage coast runs from Arne, in Poole Harbour, along the southern
shore of the Isle of Purbeck to Weymouth Bay. The Purbeck area is famous
for Purbeck Marble (which isn't marble, but crystalline limestone).
This "marble" has graced many of the most illustrious buildings
in English history, notably Salisbury Cathedral. More
...
Attractions
in South Central England
Maps:
OS Landranger series #193, 194
Top Links
Heritage
Coast Centre
More
Dorset links
Related article: An
American traveller looks at Lyme Regis
More
Heritage Coasts
Countryside
Index
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Contacts
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Charmouth
Heritage Coast Centre
Lower Sea Lane
Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6LL
Phone / Fax : 01297 560772
Web
West
Dorset Heritage Coast Warden
The Barracks, Bridport Road,
Dorchester, Dorset
Tel +44 (0)1305 268 731
Lyme
Regis Tourist Information Centre
Church Street, DT7 3BS
Tel: +44 (0)1297) 442138
Fax: +44 (0)1297) 444668
Royal
Manor of Portland Chesil Beach Centre
Portland Beach Road, Portland, Dorset
Telephone 01305 760579
More
Tourist
Information Centres
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