Kimmeridge — Dorset, England
Kimmeridge is a small coastal village in Dorset, west of Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck. As part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and status as An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, only the loose fossils found here can be collected, use of hammers is strictly forbidden. Below the Jurassic shale cliffs is Kimmeridge Bay with its rocky pools, "The Ledges" and beach area with breaking waves for the surfers; wonderful walking opportunities with panoramas allowing views of Corfe Castle, lookouts over the Jurassic Coast, coastal wildlife, butterflies and Clavell Tower an 1830 folly observatory above Hen Cliff which inspired the P.D. James's novel The Black Tower. This incomparable beauty is matched by some incomparable fossils including rarely found skeletal remains of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Part of the extensive fossils in Steve Etches Kimmeridge Collection can be viewed in the Heritage Center at Lulworth Cove until the Kimmeridge Museum of Jurassic Marine Life is constructed. The Kimmeridgian Formation is a source of oil rich hydrocarbons as found in the Wessex and North Sea Basins, evidenced here by the "nodding donkey" the oldest working oil pump in the Middle Jurassic strata.
Where is Kimmeridge?Kimmeridge is located in Dorset off the A351 near Wareham and Corfe Castle. The nearest populated areas include Corfe Castle, Wareham and Swanage.
Have you ever visited Kimmeridge?Is Kimmeridge your favourite place to stay during the holidays? Should Kimmeridge be on everyone's list of must-see travel destinations? Tell us why, we're interested. Let us know what you think about Kimmeridge — your comments may be published on this website.
