Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve

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Size: 3,500ha.

Extending along a beautiful stretch of Dorset's Jurassic Coast, with splendid views from grassy cliff tops and underwater nature trails for divers & snorkellers, this nationally important reserve is best accessed from Kimmeridge Bay.
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, with interactive displays & aquaria, provides a fascinating and vital source of information, encouraging all ages to explore the bay, its ledges and rockpools.

• The snorkelling trail guides the more adventurous through different seabed habitats.

Wildlife interest:

• Wide variety of seaweeds & rockpool life such as sea anemones, crabs, fish & invertebrates.
• Ballan wrasse, mullet, lobster & Tompot blennies can be seen against a colourful backdrop of Rainbow wrack & Coralline seaweeds.

Best time to visit:

Limited access in winter.  A summer day spent at Kimmeridge is a wonderful outing.  Check tide times to gain the most reward.

Opening Times
 

Access:

Cliff paths are steep in places, the rockpools slippery and uneven.  The Marine Centre is very user-friendly.

Location of the Marine Centre:

Map ref. SY 909789.  Take the A351 from Wareham to Corfe Castle & the first turn right to Creech.  Follow road to the top of a steep hill & round a hairbend bend signposted to Church Knowle.  Approx. 2 miles on, turn right to Kimmeridge.  Drive through village to toll booth.  Parking fee payable to Smedmore Estate

 Kimmeridge Bay

By the shore