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One of the most remarkable features of England's fantastic coastal scenery is the magnificent stretch known as Chesil Beach, which runs for 10 miles from West Bay to the Isle of Portland. This whole length is one of natures wonders. It is a complete bank of shingle that reaches to a height of 40ft in places. The glorious lagoon that lies to the rear of the beach, is known as the fleet and is rich in eel-grass, a source of food for the Abbotsbury Swans. The placid waters of the Fleet are backed by mile after mile of rich meadowlands, grazed mostly by sheep.
Chesil Beach is amazing, bordering the lagoon is a great bank of pebbles and all along the bank is a continuous roar of the sea as it hurls back and forth over hundreds of thousands of pebbles. It is a beach that changes shape in accord with the mood of the mighty ocean. Fisher folklore decrees that fishermen judge their position according to the size of the pebbles. These same pebbles have caused many a ship to be wrecked when strong winds have swept across the bay. Good ships and fine men have met their fate here and many ships have gone down with all hands lost to the raveges of the ocean.
Not much survives from the great gales of 1824 which swept away the village of Fleet when a fierce tidal wave swept over the bank. Of the church it is only the chancel that remains, nothing was left of the village.
Disaster to one side, Chesil is a wonderful area that is very much in harmony with nature, it is a truly amazing place which is a haven for many species of sea-birds and wildlife. It is close to Portland Harbour, Fortuneswell and the lively resort of Weymouth.
in the county of Dorset
(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NE)..
a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset
(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction NW)Abbotsbury is a small picturesque and historic village in the county of Dorset...
a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset
(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction E)It was King George III who first put Weymouth on the map as a popular tourist destination after making it his summer holiday residence between 1789 and 1805, where he would bath.....
a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset
(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)As it juts into the sea Portland is bounded by some of the finest coastal scenery in the land...
a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset
(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction E)The pretty village of Osmington is situated along the Jurassic coast just 4 miles North-East of the historic resort of Weymouth. It has narrow streets and pretty thatched.....
All towns in Dorset
Set in one of the most beautiful unspoilt regions of England, Abbotsbury Swannery is home to sometimes up to 1000 beautiful.....
A unique mix of indoor and outdoor attractions set in seven acres makes Sea Life a great family day out. The Park offers a day.....
Nothe Fort lies to the east of Weymouth. This spectacular "D" shaped building is preserved as one of the finest pieces of.....
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The finest Iron Age hillfort in Europe, Maiden Castle is the size of 50 football pitches and was first built in 600BC over the.....
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