A little coastal parish, Kimmeridge has a small population and oozes quaint charm. Pretty streets lace their way through the hamlet and nearby a small stream makes its way towards the sea. Surrounded by lush countryside, it offers a photo opportunity at every moment and also acts as a gateway to the beautiful Kimmeridge Bay to its south-west.
For a bite to eat, Clavell’s Restaurant can be found in Kimmeridge’s main street and is open all year. The Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, a new indoor attraction found opposite Clavell’s, is also a must visit, exhibiting lots of fascinating fossils collected in the local area by Dr. Steve Etches MBE.
Forming part of the breath-taking Jurassic Coastline, Kimmeridge Bay is listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, upon visiting it, it is easy to see why. Overlooked by Clavell Tower and shouldered by cliffs of Kimmeridge clay, the bay is as magical under water as it is above.
With gently sloping washed-rock beach, the lack of sand creates near perfect water visibility. Peppered with lots of rock pools and watery basins, sea creatures and plants can be found in abundance. For a truly immersive experience, the bay is dubbed as the safest snorkelling site in the county and in summer there is a designated snorkelling trail around the bay. Part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, it is also popular for diving and other water sports and is considered one of the best in Dorset for its raw beauty.
If you’d like a more in-depth look at the area’s rich history, the newly-refurbished Wild Seas Centre located at the end of Kimmeridge Bay offers lots of information about the area and its past. It is also home to an artificial rock pool and an interactive virtual seabed, a great learning experience for children and adults alike.
If you would like to visit Kimmeridge Bay and the Wild Seas Centre by car, access is via a toll road and small charge applies.
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Kimmeridge, Wareham BH20 5PF
