Bar Ledges

Island in Dorset

England

Bar Ledges

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

Bar Ledges is a small island located off the coast of Dorset, England. It is situated approximately 2 kilometers southwest of Portland Bill and is part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island covers an area of around 0.3 hectares and has an elevation of about 15 meters above sea level.

The island is known for its distinctive rock formations and is a popular destination for geology enthusiasts. Bar Ledges is composed mainly of limestone and shale, which have been shaped over millions of years by the erosive forces of the sea. These formations create a unique landscape, with narrow ridges and deep crevices that are home to a variety of marine life.

Access to Bar Ledges is only possible during low tide when a natural causeway is exposed, allowing visitors to walk across from the mainland. However, it is important to time the visit carefully to avoid being cut off by the rising tide.

The island is also famous for its diverse bird population and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its importance as a breeding ground for seabirds. Species such as guillemots, razorbills, and cormorants can be spotted nesting on the ledges and cliffs.

Bar Ledges offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and is a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. It is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the rich geological history and observe the wonders of nature in a unique and secluded setting.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Bar Ledges Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.732855/-2.9086208 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

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 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