Ball Rock

Island in Devon South Hams

England

Ball Rock

Thatched Cottage in East Prawle
Thatched Cottage in East Prawle Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Ball Rock is a small island located off the coast of Devon, England. Situated in the English Channel, it lies approximately 2 kilometers south of the popular tourist destination, Torquay. The island is known for its distinctive appearance and unique geological features.

Measuring just 200 meters long and 50 meters wide, Ball Rock is a rocky outcrop that rises about 10 meters above sea level. Its rugged terrain is composed of granite and is largely barren, dotted only with sparse vegetation and low-lying shrubs.

Due to its exposed location and challenging access, Ball Rock is uninhabited and devoid of any permanent structures. Nevertheless, its striking presence has made it a well-known landmark, attracting the attention of boaters, kayakers, and nature enthusiasts who appreciate its isolated beauty.

The island is also renowned for its abundant wildlife. Seabirds such as gulls, cormorants, and fulmars can be spotted nesting on the cliffs, while seals and dolphins are often seen swimming in the surrounding waters. The area surrounding Ball Rock is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the diverse marine life it supports.

Although not accessible to the public, Ball Rock can be admired from a distance, offering a picturesque backdrop to the coastal landscape of Devon. Its rocky shores and unique geological formations make it a fascinating natural feature, contributing to the rich biodiversity and scenic appeal of the region.

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Ball Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.208268/-3.7327929 or Grid Reference SX7635. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Thatched Cottage in East Prawle
Thatched Cottage in East Prawle
East Prawle With the public conveniences the first building on the left
East Prawle
With the public conveniences the first building on the left
Towards a rock outcrop Seen from a public footpath near East Prawle
Towards a rock outcrop
Seen from a public footpath near East Prawle
Public footpath from East Prawle The path looking westwards. To the south, way out of shot, is Prawle Point
Public footpath from East Prawle
The path looking westwards. To the south, way out of shot, is Prawle Point
A field of Oats Looking towards Prawle Point from a public footpath from East Prawle
A field of Oats
Looking towards Prawle Point from a public footpath from East Prawle
Farmland above the Pig's Nose Looking towards Bolt Head and the entrance to Salcombe Harbour in the distance
Farmland above the Pig's Nose
Looking towards Bolt Head and the entrance to Salcombe Harbour in the distance
Towards Gammon Head On a footpath leading to the South West Coast Path above Elender Cove
Towards Gammon Head
On a footpath leading to the South West Coast Path above Elender Cove
Gammon Head
Gammon Head
By Gammon Head
By Gammon Head
Towards the South West Coast Path Just east from Elender Cove, with moored yacht
Towards the South West Coast Path
Just east from Elender Cove, with moored yacht
Entrance to Ash Park, East Prawle Attractive random stone wall on the edge of the village
Entrance to Ash Park, East Prawle
Attractive random stone wall on the edge of the village
The Pigs Nose, East Prawle Village inn. The individuals with the red caps are part of a touring cricket side from near Reading. They play South Hams clubs every summer
The Pigs Nose, East Prawle
Village inn. The individuals with the red caps are part of a touring cricket side from near Reading. They play South Hams clubs every summer
The bar at the Pigs Nose Pub interior
The bar at the Pigs Nose
Pub interior
Cricket match at East Prawle A local team - batting - play a touring side from Reading way. An annual fixture, apparently
Cricket match at East Prawle
A local team - batting - play a touring side from Reading way. An annual fixture, apparently
Raised beach at Prawle Point, Devon The raised beach (or wave-cut platform) here - the flat land above the small cliff running along the shoreline - was formed around 10,000 years ago, towards the end of the last ice age, when sea levels were high due to the melting of ice sheets. It has been farmed for around 5,000 years.

There is an excellent and readable description of this area's history and geology at 
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/96/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/96/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Raised beach at Prawle Point, Devon
The raised beach (or wave-cut platform) here - the flat land above the small cliff running along the shoreline - was formed around 10,000 years ago, towards the end of the last ice age, when sea levels were high due to the melting of ice sheets. It has been farmed for around 5,000 years. There is an excellent and readable description of this area's history and geology at LinkExternal link
View east towards Langerstone Point, Devon Taken from the Coastwatch Lookout Station at Prawle Point. A closer view of the raised beach can be seen at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4668028">SX7735 : Raised beach at Prawle Point, Devon</a>.
View east towards Langerstone Point, Devon
Taken from the Coastwatch Lookout Station at Prawle Point. A closer view of the raised beach can be seen at SX7735 : Raised beach at Prawle Point, Devon.
Cottages, East Prawle, Devon
Cottages, East Prawle, Devon
The Lookout Station at Prawle Point, Devon Taken from the North West.

The path here is the South West Coast Path.
The Lookout Station at Prawle Point, Devon
Taken from the North West. The path here is the South West Coast Path.
Show me another place!

Ball Rock is located at Grid Ref: SX7635 (Lat: 50.208268, Lng: -3.7327929)

Administrative County: Devon

District: South Hams

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///frostbite.neck.ruby. Near Salcombe, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.208268,-3.7327929
Elender Cove
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2078701/-3.7268864
Gammon Head
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2078667/-3.731124
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.2108059/-3.729703
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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