The History of the Area

It's in the Geology

The history of Kimmeridge Bay and the surrounding area is very much tied in with its geology. The thin seam of Blackstone or 'Kimmeridge Coal' - a hard, bituminous shale which runs through the cliffs - has been worked since prehistoric times.

Using the Shale

Initially used as a fuel, it then became popular as a material for craftsmen. It can be worked and polished much like a hard wood and can be finished to resemble jet.

It was popular in pre-Roman times, but the Romans went into mass-production, turning out large numbers of rings and bangles on pole-lathes. The waste cores of shale left over from this industry are called 'Kimmeridge pennies'. For many years these regularly washed out of the eroding cliff near Gaulter Gap and can still occasionally be found on the beach.

Many attempts were made to base an industry on this fuel, including alum and glass-works in the seventeenth century and distillation of oils and gases from the shale in the nineteenth century. None of these were long-lived and little evidence of their existence can be seen. You can still make out the remains of stone piers and jetties at the east end of the bay and the remnants of mine workings are visible at some points along the cliffs.

Nodding Donkeys

What was once Britain's most important oil-well is still quietly nodding away on the cliff-top, producing about a tanker of oil a day.

Clavell Tower

Clavell Tower was built in 1831 by the Rev. John Richards of the Smedmore Estate. Built as a summerhouse, the tower was later used as a coastguard lookout before falling into disrepair after it was gutted by fire.

In 2008, work to move the tower back from the cliff-edge was completed and it now provides holiday accommodation.

a Kimmeridge penny