Purbeck District Council

Kimmeridge and Church Knowle

Photo: Kimmeridge Bay The small hamlet of Kimmeridge is humble yet dramatic with great cliffs and a beautiful bay. It is famous for its fossil finds which regularly fall from the unstable rock face and its unique geology means that it is home to many interesting marine creatures, in fact the bay is part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and also the famous Jurassic Coast. You can find more about the local wildlife at the Fine Foundation Marine Centre on the beach.

Photo: Tyneham village Worbarrow Bay is found just a short drive or a 3 mile walk along the Coast Path from Kimmeridge (this area of the Coast Path is within the Lulworth Range Walks and may be closed at certain times - see info about Range Walks below). 1 mile inland from the bay you'll find Tyneham. Tyneham village was evacuated in December 1943 for military training during the second world war and the village has been deserted ever since, but many of the buildings survive and the Church (still used for occasional services) and School now houses excellent exhibitions about the village and villagers. The bay and village are now managed by the Ministry of Defence and therefore access is limited. Visit the Dorset For You website (external link) for opening times of Tyneham, Worbarrow Bay and the Range Walks.

Church Knowle is a pretty village found above Corfe Castle. The views driving through the village and on towards Kimmeridge are fantastic. Don't forget to stop at the Margaret Green Foundation Trust animal sanctuary just outside the village and visit the rescued animals.