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
| January |
Closed for maintenance |
| Feb - March |
Sundays 12 noon until 4pm |
| Apr - Sep (term time) |
open Wed/Thu and Sat/Sun and Bank Holidays 10.30am until 5pm |
| Apr - Sep (school holidays) |
open Tue to Sun and Bank Holidays 10.30am until 5pm |
| Oct - Dec |
open Sundays 12 noon until 4pm |
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
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Kimmeridge Bay

By the shore
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