Chesil Beach
A shingle bank about 29 km long that encloses the Fleet Lagoon behind it. The pebbles grade from the size of peas in the west to the size of fists in the east.
Chesil Beach links the Isle of Portland to West Bay and is one of the world's most famous tombolos. The size of the pebbles changes in a regular pattern along the shore. It is said that old fishermen could tell where they had landed at night by the size of the stones under their feet. The beach is steep, the waves are powerful, and there are strong undercurrents, so swimming is prohibited. To learn about the lagoon's ecology, visit the Chesil Beach Centre near Weymouth, or view the whole beach from the heights of Portland. Some sections are closed to visitors during the bird breeding season.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Weymouth
- Abbotsbury Swannery
- Maiden Castle
- Portland Bill Lighthouse
- Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
- Cerne Abbas Giant
- Durdle Door
- Stair Hole