Kimmeridge Bay is privately owned, belonging to the Smedmore Estate. The Estate’s folly, Clavell Tower, is due to be taken down and relocated further inland to prevent it from falling into the sea.
While fossils can be found around Kimmeridge, they are often not very good for collecting as the rock in which they formed is very crumbly. The best specimens are found in the exposed ledges on the shore line. It is definitely not a good idea to look for fossils in the cliff or, as some people do, sit or sun bathe beneath them. These cliffs are very unstable and you only have to stop and listen for a short while to realize they are falling all the time. Occasionally large sections of cliff crash onto the beach without warning, so beware!
Geological
Coastal Features: Kimmeridge Ledges
Kimmeridge Ledges
The Kimmeridge Ledges are Limestone fingers of rock that formed from fine silts during periods when the Jurassic Sea here at the time was deep. The ledges are clearly seen in the cliff and show the fall of the cliffs to the east. The ledges reach from the cliffs down onto the shore and far out to sea and have been responsible for numerous ship wrecks along this stretch of the Jurassic Coastline.
General
Information
Nearest
Coastal Visitor Centre
Kimmeridge Marine Centre
Nearest
Town/Village or Area:
Kimmeridge
Nearest
Tourist Info Centres
Wareham
Wildlife
in this Area: Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, Rock Pools, Seaweed
Seaweed
The shallow, sunlight rich water and rocky sea floor of Kimmeridge Bay provides ideal conditions for seaweed to grow and over 100 different species have been recorded in the marine reserve.
General
Interest: Kimmeridge Coal Money, Smuggling around Kimmeridge, Blackstone Mining Industry, Cement Stone, The Kimmeridge Cobb, The Clavell Tower
