Black Rock

Island in Dorset

England

Black Rock

Cliff edge
Cliff edge Credit: don cload

Black Rock is a small island located off the coast of Dorset, England. It is situated in the English Channel, approximately 1.5 kilometers south of the town of Poole. With an area of around 0.6 hectares, Black Rock is a rocky outcrop characterized by steep cliffs and jagged formations.

The island is uninhabited and is primarily visited by tourists and local residents for recreational purposes. It is accessible by boat, and there are regular ferry services operating to and from the mainland. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.

Black Rock offers stunning natural beauty, with its rugged coastline and panoramic views of the surrounding sea. It is a popular spot for birdwatching, as it serves as a habitat for various seabird species, including gulls and cormorants. Rock pooling enthusiasts also frequent the island, as the tidal pools are teeming with marine life.

The island is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its geological significance. It is composed mainly of Purbeck limestone, a type of sedimentary rock formed during the Jurassic period. Fossils can occasionally be found on the island, attracting amateur paleontologists.

Due to its small size and lack of facilities, Black Rock does not support any permanent infrastructure. Visitors are advised to bring their own provisions and adhere to the Leave No Trace principles to preserve the island's natural environment.

Overall, Black Rock is a hidden gem in Dorset, offering a unique and tranquil experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

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

Black Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.711456/-2.7706944 or Grid Reference SY4590. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cliff edge
Cliff edge
Coast west of Burton Freshwater Some steps have since been built on the very eroded section of the coast path.
Coast west of Burton Freshwater
Some steps have since been built on the very eroded section of the coast path.
East cliff at West Bay Dorset Picture taken from the new pier
East cliff at West Bay Dorset
Picture taken from the new pier
Cliffs between West Bay and Burton Freshwater The cliffs along this coastline are part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. They date back to Jurassic times and are very popular with fossil hunters. 
To see some 360°Panoramas of Dorset please visit this <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.360panoramas.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.360panoramas.co.uk">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>
Cliffs between West Bay and Burton Freshwater
The cliffs along this coastline are part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. They date back to Jurassic times and are very popular with fossil hunters. To see some 360°Panoramas of Dorset please visit this LinkExternal link
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset Looking SE along the small bit of coast in this square. A real danger of falling rocks here and a much lesser danger of falling golf balls from the golf course on top of the cliffs
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset
Looking SE along the small bit of coast in this square. A real danger of falling rocks here and a much lesser danger of falling golf balls from the golf course on top of the cliffs
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset Looking NW. The two people in the middle distance are on the northern side of the E-W grid line. The cliffs are made of Bridport Sands which erodes in distinct bands because some layers are harder than others.
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset
Looking NW. The two people in the middle distance are on the northern side of the E-W grid line. The cliffs are made of Bridport Sands which erodes in distinct bands because some layers are harder than others.
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset Looking SE with Portland in the distance. The beach is littered with rocks that fell from the cliff
East Cliffs, West Bay, Dorset
Looking SE with Portland in the distance. The beach is littered with rocks that fell from the cliff
The lovely golden East Cliff at West Bay These spectacular cliffs are at West Bay, South of Bridport, Dorset
The lovely golden East Cliff at West Bay
These spectacular cliffs are at West Bay, South of Bridport, Dorset
The Top of East Cliff The coast path runs just a few feet from the cliff edge.
The Top of East Cliff
The coast path runs just a few feet from the cliff edge.
A Dip in the Clifftop The flat clifftop walk between West Bay and Burton Freshwater is interrupted by this little coombe. One of the greens of the adjacent golf course lurks in the bottom of the valley.
A Dip in the Clifftop
The flat clifftop walk between West Bay and Burton Freshwater is interrupted by this little coombe. One of the greens of the adjacent golf course lurks in the bottom of the valley.
View across the dip in the East Cliff at West Bay, Dorset. West Bay's harbour wall can be seen jutting out into the sea.
View across the dip in the East Cliff at West Bay, Dorset.
West Bay's harbour wall can be seen jutting out into the sea.
Freshwater Beach, Dorset Looking westwards towards East Cliff and West Bay.
Freshwater Beach, Dorset
Looking westwards towards East Cliff and West Bay.
Retrieved! A water-loving dog brings a rubber ring back to the beach. And then does it again. And again. And again.....
Retrieved!
A water-loving dog brings a rubber ring back to the beach. And then does it again. And again. And again.....
Morning beach walk These folks and their dog are probably heading for the holiday park at Burton Bradstock.
Every so often the man on the right throws the rubber ring into the sea for the Retriever to do his thing.
See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1903326">SY4689 : Retrieved!</a>.
Morning beach walk
These folks and their dog are probably heading for the holiday park at Burton Bradstock. Every so often the man on the right throws the rubber ring into the sea for the Retriever to do his thing. See SY4689 : Retrieved!.
Strolling along the beach The folks and dog in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1903332">SY4689 : Morning beach walk</a>, a little further along towards Burton Bradstock.
Strolling along the beach
The folks and dog in SY4689 : Morning beach walk, a little further along towards Burton Bradstock.
Section of East Cliff The easily-eroded sandstone is a golden colour in summer morning light.
Section of East Cliff
The easily-eroded sandstone is a golden colour in summer morning light.
Coast Path towards Burton Freshwater from East Cliff Coast path, cliffs and beach viewed from East Cliff. In the far distance the outline of the Isle of Portland can just be seen.
Coast Path towards Burton Freshwater from East Cliff
Coast path, cliffs and beach viewed from East Cliff. In the far distance the outline of the Isle of Portland can just be seen.
Beach below East Cliff Looking down on the beach from East Cliff midway between West Bay and Burton Freshwater.
Beach below East Cliff
Looking down on the beach from East Cliff midway between West Bay and Burton Freshwater.
Show me another place!

Black Rock is located at Grid Ref: SY4590 (Lat: 50.711456, Lng: -2.7706944)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///dribble.sang.unionists. Near Bridport, Dorset

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Black Rock West Cliff

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.711456,-2.7706944
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.7099676/-2.7649327
Sport: swimming
Lat/Long: 50.7124353/-2.7661448
Fast Food
Seasiders
Cuisine: fish_and_chips
Lat/Long: 50.7118585/-2.7647258
Black Rock
Place: locality
Source: OS OpenData StreetView
Lat/Long: 50.7113234/-2.7710552
Coast View point
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 50.7125667/-2.7721001
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.7128613/-2.7710243
Seamark Light Character: Iso
Seamark Light Colour: red
Seamark Light Height: 9
Seamark Light Period: 2
Seamark Light Range: 5
Seamark Type: light_minor
Source: US NGA Pub. 114. 2011-05-26.
Lat/Long: 50.7101869/-2.7648536
Beachcroft B&B
Tourism: guest_house
Lat/Long: 50.7117399/-2.7647303
Seacroft B&B
Tourism: guest_house
Lat/Long: 50.7119079/-2.7648971
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.7118887/-2.768793
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.7121719/-2.7696035
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.7150856/-2.7739602
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.7126134/-2.7706645
Bench
Backrest: yes
Material: wood
Lat/Long: 50.7105959/-2.7639537
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.7101189/-2.7647339
Traffic Calming: table
Lat/Long: 50.7110102/-2.7643926
Vending Machine
Operator: Dorset Council
Payment App: yes
Payment Cash: yes
Payment Phone: yes
Vending: parking_tickets
Lat/Long: 50.7107282/-2.7645629
Bench
Backrest: yes
Material: wood
Lat/Long: 50.7105788/-2.7639829
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Lat/Long: 50.7109614/-2.7658202
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7112055/-2.7667583
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7110998/-2.766313
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7109805/-2.7658845
Bench
Covered: yes
Lat/Long: 50.7108535/-2.7655493
Fire Hydrant
Emergency: fire_hydrant
Fire Hydrant Type: underground
Lat/Long: 50.7118369/-2.763775
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7108764/-2.7641264
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7110233/-2.7642404
Street Lamp
Lat/Long: 50.7118683/-2.7637763
Seamark Small Craft Facility Category: toilets
Seamark Type: small_craft_facility
Lat/Long: 50.7107643/-2.7639822
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 50.7122208/-2.7712144
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 09:00; Sa 07:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: DT6 3D
Ref GB Uprn: 10015282222
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Source: survey
Survey Date: 2022-12-04
Lat/Long: 50.7138767/-2.7693218
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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