Black Ven Rocks

Island in Dorset

England

Black Ven Rocks

The lower slope of Black Ven - Charmouth The cliff face is black except for the topsoil and made up of layer upon layer of soft mud, silt and clay pressed together over millions of years. Landslides are frequent with the sea washing the silt away from them and exposing fossils which have been captured within. The landslide of 1958/9 was the largest coastal landslide in Europe. — The lower slope of Black Ven - Charmouth Credit: Sarah Smith

Black Ven Rocks is a prominent geological feature located off the coast of Lyme Regis in Dorset, England. It is a small rocky island that juts out of the sea, forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Jurassic Coast.

The island is made up of layers of dark shale and clay, giving it its distinctive black appearance. These rocks date back to the early Jurassic period, approximately 200 million years ago. The layers contain a wealth of fossilized remains, including ammonites, belemnites, and other marine creatures from the ancient seas. This makes Black Ven Rocks a popular destination for fossil hunters and geology enthusiasts.

The island is accessible during low tide, when a rocky causeway appears, allowing visitors to walk across from the mainland. However, caution is advised as the causeway can become submerged during high tide, making it potentially dangerous to cross.

Black Ven Rocks offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and provides a unique opportunity to observe the diverse marine life in the area. Seals, seabirds, and other wildlife can often be spotted in the waters around the island.

Due to its significant geological and ecological value, Black Ven Rocks is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and should be treated with respect and care. Visitors are encouraged to follow any posted guidelines and regulations to preserve the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

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Black Ven Rocks Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.733018/-2.9107353 or Grid Reference SY3592. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The lower slope of Black Ven - Charmouth

The cliff face is black except for the topsoil and made up of layer upon layer of soft mud, silt and clay pressed together over millions of years. Landslides are frequent with the sea washing the silt away from them and exposing fossils which have been captured within. The landslide of 1958/9 was the largest coastal landslide in Europe.

Sarah Smith

Boulders on the beach - Charmouth

The boulders are lying on the solidified smooth black debris from the landslides of Black Ven (left). In the distance in another grid square is Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast of England. In circa 833 the Danes arrived in 35 ships and with thousands of men. They landed on this beach and a savage battle followed with the local inhabitants. Mary Anning was also another visitor in much later times and discovered the fossilised Ichthyosaur in these cliffs somewhere between Charmouth and Lyme Regis.

Sarah Smith

Lower end of Broad Street - Lyme Regis

The road turns left at the bottom into Church Street. The town was very very crowded. In the distance over Lyme Bay one can see Golden Cap, the highest point on the South West coast and the coastline stretching towards West Bay and Burton Bradstock and other coves on the Jurassic Coast.

Sarah Smith

Riverside walk - Lyme Regis

Not far from where one takes up the River Lim walk again from Coombe Street, there is a large handsome house which looks as if it may have originally been a commercial building such as some sort of mill

Sarah Smith

The Ford, River Lim - Lyme Regis

This ford is supposed to be the longest in the country. It is situated near Jordan Flats.

Sarah Smith

Mill Green - Lyme Regis

Prettily painted terraced houses winding up the hill from the river.

Sarah Smith

Monmouth Street, Lyme Regis - looking East

Monmouth Street, Lyme Regis looking East towards the Church of St Michael the Archangel.

Sofia

Lyme Regis beach

Lyme Regis beach on this peaceful Tuesday afternoon

Ryan Griffiths

Lyme Regis town centre

Lyme Regis town centre on this peaceful Tuesday afternoon

Ryan Griffiths

Cobb Gate Car Park, Lyme Regis

Right on the sea front

Eirian Evans

Path down to the sea front, Lyme Regis

The way of the South West Coast Path.

Eirian Evans

Mary Anning statue (1)

A statue of the 19th century palaeontologist Mary Anning and her dog Tray was unveiled in her home town of Lyme Regis on 21 May 2022. She often did not get the credit and recognition she deserved for her discoveries and expertise due to her gender and low social status. This oversight was righted by a young Lyme Regis resident who initiated, along with her mother, a crowd funding appeal which raised in excess of £100,000 to commission the statue, which was sculpted by artist Denise Dutton. Here is a link to the Mary Anning Rocks project. Link