Location Information (key) |
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(Unsuitable) |
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 Foreshore, Cliff |
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LOCATION
Kimmeridge is one of the most challenging parts of the coastline for collecting. It is SERIOUSLY NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILIES, PARTIES or during winter/spring months. Kimmeridge is in one of the most remote parts of the Dorset coast and is very difficult to access. There are two methods of access, one is to park at Kimmeridge bay and walk East, and the other is to park at Chapmans Pool and walk West. Both are a vast distance apart. It is possible to walk the full length from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapmans Pool, but this gives little time for collecting. There is sometimes access at Rope Lake Head, via a rope, but this is not always present and is equally dangerous.
During the last visit, we finally walked from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapmans Pool, Determined this time to complete the full walk. Once at Chapmans Pool is was impossible to walk back as the tide has turned and the Coastal Footpath was required. PLEASE NOTE that the coastal footpath is somewhat distant from the Coast. The Footpath is NOT marked clearly and takes you through unsigned farmland and even beside the road. Our total journey was around 15 Miles by which time it was dark. |
(View of Kimmeridge Bay, and Car Park) - 2001
In spite of the difficulty in getting to Kimmeridge, it is a most fantastic place for geology, and the views are fantastic. It is also one of the most peaceful and quiet places alone the Dorset Coast. The Hill View at Chapmans Pool, though a VERY Steep climb, follows some breathtaking views. From Kimmeridge Bay, the immediate shale beds are first seen, this is Hen Cliff. From here walking East you will eventually reach Yellow Ledges, (marked by the yellow stone band) then Burning beach (often built up of shingle). This will take you to Fresh Water Steps. Clavells Hard follows with Rope Lake Head some distance away. Finally Chapmans Pool can be reached.
(View of Kimmeridge Bay) - 2001
(View of Kimmeridge Bay) - 2001
KIMMERIDGE BAY: Over 243m of Kimmeridge Clay is exposed. The Famous Oil Shale, can be seen and is often marked by black areas in the sea. The first part of Kimmeridge bay is mostly unfossiliferous.
CLAVELLS HARD: It is a long walk before you get to Clavells hard, here a small waterfall descends over the Kimmeridge oil shale. You may notice a pinky colour, this is the result of a fire which burned for many years, set alight by school boys and is one of the most famous features of Kimmeridge. From Clavells Hard to Rope Lake Head, many flat ammonites can be found in the shale.
From FRESHWATER STEPS, the foreshore and cliff yields the crinoid Saccocoma which is pyritised. Freshwater steps is the main collecting location at Kimmeridge and is of equal distance from Kimmeridge Bay and Chapmans pool. In the cliffs, many reptilian remains including plesiosaurs, icthyosaurs, crocodiles, pterosaurs and chelonians have been found. The problem with Freshwater steps is by the time you have reached the location, one has little time for collecting, before the tide turns. Past Freshwater Steps, from here to Chapmans Pool, larger ammonites both flat and solid have been found. Many fragments lay scattered at Chapmans Pool
(View of Kimmeridge Bay) - 2001
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EQUIPMENT
TOOLS: HAMMERS ARE NOT ALLOWED, and we do not recommend that you use them. Hard Hats should be worn.
CONTAINERS: Bags and containers are suitable, take plenty of drink and food if planning the full walk. |
(View of Kimmeridge Cliffs of Kimmeridge Clay) - 2001
(View of Kimmeridge Cliff) - 2001
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SAFETY & DANGERS
Kimmeridge is one of the most dangerous places to collect along the Dorset coast. The tides always hit the base of the cliff and can easily cut you off. The walk is such a long way round several headlands, that Tide Times are ESSENTIAL and DOUBLE Check. Be aware of double tides too. If you plan the whole walk from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapmans Pool, you will have little time to collect and should reach your destination BEFORE the tide starts to turn. The tides come in very quickly.
At Kimmeridge Bay Particularly, falling scale is frequent, hard hats should be worn and you should try to keep away from the base of the cliff. Please note HAMMERS are not allowed at Kimmeridge If you do take a hammer, be warned that lumping rocks will cause rocks and shale to fall from the cliff.
The Beach at Kimmeridge is VERY slippery. During the last trip (2001), we had planned to photograph the entire coastline from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapmans pool. Whilst taking Photos at Kimmeridge Bay, the photographer slipped on the foreshore covered in algae breaking the expensive camera. We managed to recover the photos you see on this page however. |
(Kimmeridge Bay) - 2001
(Kimmeridge Bay) - 2001
(Last Photo of Kimmeridge Trip before Camera Broke slipping on Algae) - 2001
