Ballsaddle Rock

Island in Devon

England

Ballsaddle Rock

Great Mattiscombe Sand Great Mattiscombe Sand in Peartree Cove viewed from the South West Coast Path.
Great Mattiscombe Sand Credit: Philip Halling

Ballsaddle Rock, located in Devon, is a small uninhabited island situated off the south coast of England. This rocky outcrop is part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich geological history. Ballsaddle Rock is surrounded by the English Channel and is accessible only by boat.

The island itself is approximately 300 meters in length and has an elevation of about 20 meters, with rugged cliffs dominating its coastline. It is made up of limestone and chalk, typical of the geological formations found along the Jurassic Coast. The name "Ballsaddle" is derived from the Old English words "beall" meaning bald and "saddel" meaning saddle, likely referring to the island's distinctive shape.

Ballsaddle Rock is home to a variety of seabirds, including guillemots, gulls, and cormorants, which use the island as a nesting site during the breeding season. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, providing a habitat for various species of fish and crustaceans.

Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, Ballsaddle Rock is not open to the public and is primarily visited by wildlife enthusiasts and researchers interested in studying the island's unique ecosystem. The island's rocky terrain and absence of vegetation make it a challenging environment for visitors to navigate, further contributing to its limited accessibility.

Overall, Ballsaddle Rock is a fascinating and picturesque island that plays an important role in the biodiversity of the Jurassic Coast, showcasing the region's geological and ecological significance.

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Ballsaddle Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.215907/-3.6874163 or Grid Reference SX7936. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Great Mattiscombe Sand Great Mattiscombe Sand in Peartree Cove viewed from the South West Coast Path.
Great Mattiscombe Sand
Great Mattiscombe Sand in Peartree Cove viewed from the South West Coast Path.
The result of coastal erosion There are two pillars of earth remaining which just about attain the height of the nearby cliff, but the sea has clearly removed all the surrounding ground.
The result of coastal erosion
There are two pillars of earth remaining which just about attain the height of the nearby cliff, but the sea has clearly removed all the surrounding ground.
Great Mattiscombe Sand The first sandy beach for quite a distance to the east. All the nearby beaches in that direction are shingle.
Great Mattiscombe Sand
The first sandy beach for quite a distance to the east. All the nearby beaches in that direction are shingle.
Coastal path approaching The Narrows The Narrows is a coastal strip with some farmland that does not appear particularly narrow. It is just around the point ahead. Beyond is Woodcombe Point.
Coastal path approaching The Narrows
The Narrows is a coastal strip with some farmland that does not appear particularly narrow. It is just around the point ahead. Beyond is Woodcombe Point.
Lannacombe Beach
Lannacombe Beach
The coastal path approaching Lannacombe Beach
The coastal path approaching Lannacombe Beach
Houses at Lannacombe Green It was difficult to get a clear view as the valley bottom is thickly wooded.
Houses at Lannacombe Green
It was difficult to get a clear view as the valley bottom is thickly wooded.
Road junction at Lannacombe Green
Road junction at Lannacombe Green
Lannacombe Bay View across Lannacombe Bay from above the cliff edge just inside this grid square.  In the background the coastline stretches on to Prawle Point.
Lannacombe Bay
View across Lannacombe Bay from above the cliff edge just inside this grid square. In the background the coastline stretches on to Prawle Point.
Lannacombe Bay View across Lannacombe Bay and Harris's Beach from the coast path.
Lannacombe Bay
View across Lannacombe Bay and Harris's Beach from the coast path.
Limpet Cove Rocks exposed by low tide in Limpet Cove to the west of Start Point viewed from the South West Coast Path.
Limpet Cove
Rocks exposed by low tide in Limpet Cove to the west of Start Point viewed from the South West Coast Path.
Lannacombe Cottage Converted from a former lime kiln.
Lannacombe Cottage
Converted from a former lime kiln.
Lannacombe Green road junction The lanes around here are amazingly narrow.
Lannacombe Green road junction
The lanes around here are amazingly narrow.
Lannacombe The coastal path winds down to the beach at Lannacombe.
Lannacombe
The coastal path winds down to the beach at Lannacombe.
Lannacombe Beach Children play on an island of sand at this remote south Devon beach.
Lannacombe Beach
Children play on an island of sand at this remote south Devon beach.
Lannacombe Green A meeting of typical Devon narrow lanes.
Lannacombe Green
A meeting of typical Devon narrow lanes.
Un-named track and lane junction east of Lannacombe Green
Un-named track and lane junction east of Lannacombe Green
Lannacombe Beach
Lannacombe Beach
Show me another place!

Ballsaddle Rock is located at Grid Ref: SX7936 (Lat: 50.215907, Lng: -3.6874163)

Administrative County: Devon

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///roughest.whom.fault. Near Salcombe, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.215907,-3.6874163
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2169412/-3.6885637
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 50.2172787/-3.6896734
Access: private
Leisure: slipway
Lat/Long: 50.2189832/-3.6888174
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 50.2190667/-3.6890618
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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