Kimmeridge Bay

Description:

Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Jurassic coastline and is situated on the B3075 travel South through Wareham  and follow signs for Kimmeridge.

Parking at Kimmeridge has spaces for some 1,000 vehicles. The land is privately owned and costs £3 to access the bay via a toll road. There is limited access for wheelchairs/drivers down at the Marine Centre. The gate is often locked and entry gained by phoning the centre on 01929 481044.

The beach is made up of rocky shale and comentstone reefs make the area a key habitat and the bay is designated a Marine Nature Reserve. Although there is not a sandy beach as such the sheltered bay is popular for swimming, diving, surfing and wind surfing. Large ledges act as natural jetties for wandering along to explore marine wildlife. If rock pooling is your interest then this is one of the best places in the country to explore. Dorset Wildlife Trust runs a Marine Centre which is open every day in Summer.  Tel: 01929 481044.

The village shop is the only facility for purchasing, apart from a visiting ice-cream van during peak season. The Marine Centre has displays showing the kind of wildlife to be found in the bay and organises children's events.

The Marine Centre has toilet facilities including disabled use.

There is no public transport to this part of Dorset.

A point of interest is that apparently the name Kimmeridgian is used around the world to describe rocks the same age as those found at Kimmeridge. (approximately 150 million years old).

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

The Margaret Green Foundation  at Church Knowle. This is an animal sanctuary and rehoming centre for cats, horses, pigs, sheep and much more. It is open every day from 10am to 4pm.  Tel: 01929 480474.

Tynham Village. Evacuated to make way for military preparations for World War Two, this "Ghost village" is open weekends 10am to 4pm and every day July 24 to September 3.