Kilve Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline located southwest of England. This beach is well-known for its dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations, and stunning views. Visitors can also find a wealth of fossils and wildlife in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of Kilve Beach so that you can plan your visit.
The Geology of Kilve Beach
Kilve Beach is a stunning location, situated along the dramatic Jurassic Coast and home to rocks dating back millions of years.
As part of the World Heritage Site, this beach offers a fascinating glimpse into geological history. The conspicuous cliffs are made up of blue Lias limestone, with shale and marl creating distinctive horizontal layers across their faces.
This sedimentary rock layer, often called the Lias Group, was especially active during the Triassic period some 225 million years ago. Further down into the folds of time can be found the Jurassic Platform deposited during the Jurassic era some 144 million years ago, as well as Cretaceous strata from approximately 66 million years ago.
What makes Kilve Beach even more unique is that it “smuggles” traces of its ancient past all over its sandy shores. Regular visitors often try their luck at uncovering fossils in various shapes and sizes, but prioritising conservation is essential here.
A wide range of organisms have been found here before, with ammonites being one of the most common discoveries among fossil hunters. Reptile fossil finds in the form of vertebrae are also regularly reported scattered throughout Kilve’s rocky terrain, giving beachgoers an additional way to explore life on our planet’s distant past!
Overall, Kilve Beach offers a rare combination of geological marvels and educational opportunities for those willing to take their time to explore it.
The Wildlife of Kilve Beach
If you’re looking for a place to commune with nature, Kilve Beach is the perfect spot with its dramatic cliffs, sheltered bay, and grassy areas.
The beach is home to an abundance of wildlife, both on land and in the water. The cliff tops are a good place to spot birds such as kestrels, cormorants, and peregrine falcons, while the grassy areas are a good place to see rabbits, hares, and bats.
The real highlight of Kilve Beach, however, is its incredible marine life. In the rock pools, you’ll find crabs, starfish, and other sea creatures, and if you’re lucky enough to be there during dolphin season (April to October), you might even catch a glimpse of these amazing animals out in the bay.
So whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just an amateur with a camera, don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind place.
It’s important to note that, as Kilve Beach is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), extracting fossils from the living rock is not allowed. Kilve Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline in southwest England that is home to diverse wildlife, both on land and in the water.
Getting to Kilve Beach
Kilve Beach is a hidden gem, situated on the coast of Somerset, England. Despite its remote location, the beach is well worth the effort to get there.
This stunning beach is located just a short drive from the M5 motorway, making it the perfect spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Dogs are welcome at Kilve Beach, so there is no need to leave your furry friend at home. Kilve Beach, with its dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and breathtaking views, welcomes them all year. Kilve Beach is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The best way to experience all that Kilve Beach has to offer is by car. From the M5 motorway, take exit 22 and follow signs for Minehead. Then take the A368 towards Williton after approximately 10 miles, and turn onto Sea Lane (signposted for Kilve). The beach car park will be on your right after about 1 mile.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Kilve Beach for an unforgettable experience!
Conclusion
Kilve Beach is a beautiful place to enjoy some time outdoors, surrounded by natural beauty.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the beach’s unique geology or spotting some of its exciting wildlife, there’s something for everyone at Kilve Beach.
So why not add it to your list of places to visit? You won’t be disappointed!