Stair Hole

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Stair Hole

Coastline, St Eval With Diggory's Island to the right in a view southwards at Pentire Steps.
Coastline, St Eval Credit: Andrew Smith

Stair Hole is a coastal feature located in Lulworth Cove, on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England. Although the question mentions Cornwall, Stair Hole is actually situated in Dorset, not Cornwall. It is a small, horseshoe-shaped cove that forms part of the larger Lulworth Cove. The cove is renowned for its unique geological formations, which make it a popular tourist destination.

Stair Hole is characterized by its steep cliffs and rugged rock formations, which have been shaped by erosion over millions of years. The cliff face is composed of layers of limestone and clay, which have been eroded at different rates, creating a distinctive stepped pattern that gives the cove its name.

One of the most notable features of Stair Hole is the natural arch known as the "Stair Hole Bridge," which spans the entrance to the cove. This arch was formed by the relentless pounding of waves against the limestone cliffs, gradually wearing away the softer layers of rock and leaving behind this impressive structure.

The cove is also home to several caves and rock pools, which are teeming with marine life. These pools provide a habitat for a diverse range of species, including crabs, starfish, and small fish, making it a popular spot for rock pool exploration and snorkeling.

Stair Hole offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the power of erosion and see the geological processes that have shaped the coastline over millions of years. Its stunning natural beauty, combined with its rich biodiversity, make it a must-visit location for nature enthusiasts and geology enthusiasts alike.

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Stair Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.475863/-5.0381703 or Grid Reference SW8468. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coastline, St Eval With Diggory's Island to the right in a view southwards at Pentire Steps.
Coastline, St Eval
With Diggory's Island to the right in a view southwards at Pentire Steps.
Surfers with wooden bellyboards, Pentire Cove 1966 In 2023 wooden surfboards are becoming popular again because they do not pollute the sea with plastic fragments. This photograph harks back to the period from 1940s to the present when we have used wooden bellyboards at this beach and nearby Porthcothan. Park Head is visible on the right.
Surfers with wooden bellyboards, Pentire Cove 1966
In 2023 wooden surfboards are becoming popular again because they do not pollute the sea with plastic fragments. This photograph harks back to the period from 1940s to the present when we have used wooden bellyboards at this beach and nearby Porthcothan. Park Head is visible on the right.
Belly board in surf, Pentire Cove 1966 Surfing on a belly board the body is part on the board, arms to the front holding the end of the board.
Belly board in surf, Pentire Cove 1966
Surfing on a belly board the body is part on the board, arms to the front holding the end of the board.
Pentire Cove at half tide At low tide the rock in the centre is surrounded by sand; at high tide all of the sand in the cove is under water. Here the photo is taken from sand at the top of the cove.
Pentire Cove at half tide
At low tide the rock in the centre is surrounded by sand; at high tide all of the sand in the cove is under water. Here the photo is taken from sand at the top of the cove.
Landscape Around Trenance Taken from a Flybe flight just after take-off from Newquay Airport bound for London Gatwick.
Landscape Around Trenance
Taken from a Flybe flight just after take-off from Newquay Airport bound for London Gatwick.
Atlantic Coast North of Newquay Taken from a Flybe flight just after take-off from Newquay Airport heading for London Gatwick.
Atlantic Coast North of Newquay
Taken from a Flybe flight just after take-off from Newquay Airport heading for London Gatwick.
Mawgan Porth Beach Taken from a Flybe flight, which has just taken off from Newquay Airport (visible in the background) on the way to London Gatwick.
Mawgan Porth Beach
Taken from a Flybe flight, which has just taken off from Newquay Airport (visible in the background) on the way to London Gatwick.
St Eval airfield radio transmitter station St Eval airfield radio transmitter station.  It is on the site of a former airfield which closed in the 1950s.
St Eval airfield radio transmitter station
St Eval airfield radio transmitter station. It is on the site of a former airfield which closed in the 1950s.
Bedruthan Steps
Bedruthan Steps
Dog walkers on the beach at Mawgan Porth
Dog walkers on the beach at Mawgan Porth
Berryl's Point at the south end of Mawgan Porth beach
Berryl's Point at the south end of Mawgan Porth beach
The northern end of Mawgan Porth beach
The northern end of Mawgan Porth beach
Houses above Mawgan Porth beach
Houses above Mawgan Porth beach
Head exposed in the cliffs at Mawgan Porth
Head exposed in the cliffs at Mawgan Porth
The lifeguards' hut at Mawgan Porth Closed up for the winter.
The lifeguards' hut at Mawgan Porth
Closed up for the winter.
The River Menalhyl behind Mawgan Porth beach
The River Menalhyl behind Mawgan Porth beach
Fields in the River Menalhyl valley at Mawgan Porth
Fields in the River Menalhyl valley at Mawgan Porth
The sea at the bottom of Bedruthan Steps The waves coming into the beach at the bottom of Bedruthan Steps, a National Trust site (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carnewas-and-bedruthan-steps/features/the-history-and-legend-of-bedruthan-steps)" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carnewas-and-bedruthan-steps/features/the-history-and-legend-of-bedruthan-steps)">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>
The sea at the bottom of Bedruthan Steps
The waves coming into the beach at the bottom of Bedruthan Steps, a National Trust site (LinkExternal link
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Stair Hole is located at Grid Ref: SW8468 (Lat: 50.475863, Lng: -5.0381703)

Unitary Authority: Cornwall

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///reference.romance.shampoos. Near Newquay, Cornwall

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.475863,-5.0381703
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4776604/-5.037003
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4776673/-5.0368421
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4723483/-5.0374107
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4722909/-5.0371605
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4722773/-5.0369566
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4722773/-5.0367743
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4722568/-5.0366026
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 50.4758151/-5.0359486
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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