chesil beach

Formed over 6,000 years ago, Chesil Beach is one of the finest storm beaches in the world. It is 18 miles (29km) long, 660 feet wide, up to 50 feet high and made of 100 million tons of pebbles. The pebbles change in size from pea gravel in the west to potato sized cobbles in the east. The...

Looking inland from the beach.

The South Coast National Trail behind Chesil Beach.

Marker for the South Coast National Trail. It does not go on Chesil Beach (it is very hard to walk on the pebbles) but inland.

Looking west towards Lyme Regis and Sidmouth. You can see the dramatic Jurassic Coast cliffs.

The water is too rough for swimming and there is a strong current.

Chesil Beach at the western end, near Burton Bradstock.

Small pebbles at the western end.

Large pebbles at the eastern end.

The beach at the Visitor Center, looking east toward the Isle of Portland.

The beach at the Visitor Center, looking west.

From the Isle of Portland, looking at the start of Chesil Beach and the Visitor Centre.

View of Chesil Beach from the coast road above Abbotsbury, looking towards Weymouth.