Kimmeridge Bay

About Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge Bay is a sheltered cove on Dorset's Jurassic Coast (UNESCO World Heritage Site), known for its shale ledges, rock pools, fossil hunting, snorkelling, and a reef break used by surfers. Postcode: BH20 5PF (for the toll road and parking).

The bay's rocks contain ammonites, belemnites, and other Jurassic-era fossils. It gets less busy than Lulworth Cove or Durdle Door, though the beach is rocky rather than sandy; sturdy footwear is recommended.

Where is Kimmeridge Bay?

The bay lies on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula, approximately 7 miles east of Tyneham Village and Worbarrow Bay. It sits just south-west of the small village of Kimmeridge, with wide views out to sea.

The main car park postcode is BH20 5PF. Enter this into your sat nav to reach the toll booth and parking area overlooking the bay.

By car (most common option)

Coming from Wareham or Corfe Castle to the north or east, take the A351 south towards Corfe Castle, then follow signs for Church Knowle / Kimmeridge (turn right after Corfe Castle). Continue through Kimmeridge village and follow the road downhill to the toll booth. Vehicle charges typically range from £5–£10 in 2026 and include all-day parking. Cash and card are usually accepted; pedestrians and cyclists are free.

From Swanage to the east, travel west on the A351 / B3351 towards Corfe Castle, then follow the same route towards Church Knowle and Kimmeridge.

From Tyneham or West Lulworth to the west, there is no direct road access due to the Lulworth military ranges. The best route is via Wareham, with a typical driving time of 20–30 minutes.

The private toll road is well maintained but narrow in places, so drive with care. Parking is on grassy clifftop areas, with additional parking near the slipway. Toilets are available at the lower car park.

Highlights and visitor tips

The bay is best for rock pooling (especially at low tide), the snorkelling trail (usually May–September), reef-break surfing, and fossil spotting. Please do not hammer or damage the cliffs. Facilities include public toilets and the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, which has interactive marine exhibits (check ahead for seasonal opening times).

Nearby, Clavell Tower is a clifftop folly worth a look, and the Etches Collection fossil museum in Kimmeridge village is excellent. Dogs are welcome year-round but should be kept on leads near wildlife and other visitors. The bay is calm and sheltered, which makes it popular with families, but it is rocky rather than sandy, so bring sturdy footwear.

Kimmeridge Bay Tide Times

Tides make a big difference to your visit. At low tide the shale ledges are exposed, revealing rock pools full of crabs, anemones and small fish, as well as the best fossil-hunting spots. High tide covers the ledges and is better for swimming and surfing over the reef break.

For precise local predictions with high/low water heights, use the official Kimmeridge Bay tide table at tidetimes.org.uk. Kimmeridge Bay has roughly two high tides a day, around 12 hours 25 minutes apart.

Kimmeridge Village

On the way down to the bay you pass through Kimmeridge village: a few hundred residents, mostly Purbeck stone cottages, many thatched.

Village history

Kimmeridge goes back over a thousand years, first appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Chinewerce". Many cottages date from the 17th and 18th centuries. The parish church of St Nicholas of Myra has Norman origins, though it was largely rebuilt in 1872, and is worth a look inside.

What to see in Kimmeridge village

The main attraction is The Etches Collection, a museum of Jurassic marine fossils in the village centre. Collected over decades by local fossil hunter Dr Steve Etches MBE, it holds more than 2,800 specimens, all found in the Kimmeridge area, including the pliosaur skull featured in David Attenborough documentaries.

Opposite the museum is Clavell's Café & Restaurant, a popular stop for meals, afternoon cream teas or just a coffee, using plenty of local Dorset ingredients.

Clavell Tower stands on the cliff above the eastern side of the bay, a 19th-century folly visible from miles around. It was dismantled and rebuilt 25 metres further inland in 2006–08 to save it from coastal erosion, and is now a holiday let managed by the Landmark Trust, booked out years ahead. Thomas Hardy used to court his first love beneath it, and it inspired P.D. James's novel The Black Tower.

Local traditions and community

Kimmeridge keeps a strong sense of community and tradition. One of the highlights is the occasional Wassail, an old custom to bless the apple orchards, with singing, dancing and toasting for a good harvest, a nod to the area's cider-making past.

Take a walk through Kimmeridge village

For a longer walk, the Kimmeridge to Tyneham coastal walk follows the South West Coast Path west for 7.5 miles, skirting the clifftop above Brandy Bay and Gad Cliff before dropping into Tyneham valley. It is one of the finest stretches of coast path in Dorset.

Camping in Kimmeridge

Camping directly at Kimmeridge Bay is not allowed - the area is protected as part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and Jurassic Coast.

There are, however, good campsites nearby, from basic pitches to full facilities. If you'd rather stay close to Tyneham village, compare the options in our guide to camping near Tyneham.

Campsites near Kimmeridge

• Steeple Leaze Farm Campsite
  East Creech, Wareham BH20 5NY - peaceful farm site with great views.
• Burnbake Campsite
  Rempstone, Corfe Castle BH20 5JH - woodland setting with modern facilities.
• Norden Farm Campsite
  Corfe Castle BH20 5DS - countryside pitches near Corfe Castle.
• East Creech Farm Campsite
  East Creech BH20 5AP - family-friendly and close to the coast.
• Wareham Forest Tourist Park
  North Trigon BH20 7NZ - wooded site with good amenities.

Check each site's website for 2026 availability and booking - popular spots fill quickly in summer.