Quick facts about the Jurassic Coast

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A smugglers cave known as Parson’s Barn was once in the cliff here, but this has since fallen in and been eroded away by the sea.

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Geological Information

Period Age

Cretaceous

Approx Age

Million Years

Cretaceous Blanket

80None

Main Geology

Chalk

Beach Type

Sea Cliff

Access to Beach

Fossil Hotspots:
-

Geological Coastal Features:
Chalk Cliff Erosion, The Pinnacles

Chalk Cliff Erosion Erosion of coastal Chalk cliffs is slow. Chalk is relatively hard, and only becomes unstable when the sea has carved a cave into its base, destabilising the weight of cliff above. The sea then has to wash away the cliff fall before the process can start all over again. The milky coloured seawater found at the base of Chalk cliffs, particularly around fresh falls, is evidence of coastal cliff erosion in progress.


The Pinnacles The two Chalk sea stacks alongside Ballard Down Cliff are known as the Pinnacles. They have been left to stand alone in the sea as the cliff has been eroded from around them by the elements.

General Information

Nearest Coastal Visitor Centre

Studland Beach Information Centre

Nearest Town/Village or Area:

Studland

Nearest Tourist Info Centres

Swanage

Wildlife in this Area:
Ballard Down, Birds

Ballard Down The chalk downland of Ballard Down is managed by the National Trust and represents a rare habitat with a rich biodiversity of insect and plant life.


Birds The sea stacks of the Pinnacles and Old Harry Rocks provide a popular roosting site for a multitude of coastal birds.

General Interest:
WW2 Aircraft Firing Range

WW2 Aircraft Firing Range

The cliffs of Ballard Down were used as a gunnery range for training fighter pilots during WW2 and the seabed is littered with their spent brass shell cases, some of which make useful homes for the marine life.