Pictures of Chesil Beach

in the county of Dorset

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About Chesil Beach

One of the most remarkable features of England's fantastic coastal scenery is the magnificent stretch known as Chesil Beach, which runs for 10 miles from West Bay to the Isle of Portland. This whole length is one of natures wonders. It is a complete bank of shingle that reaches to a height of 40ft in places. The glorious lagoon that lies to the rear of the beach, is known as the fleet and is rich in eel-grass, a source of food for the Abbotsbury Swans. The placid waters of the Fleet are backed by mile after mile of rich meadowlands, grazed mostly by sheep.

Chesil Beach is amazing, bordering the lagoon is a great bank of pebbles and all along the bank is a continuous roar of the sea as it hurls back and forth over hundreds of thousands of pebbles. It is a beach that changes shape in accord with the mood of the mighty ocean. Fisher folklore decrees that fishermen judge their position according to the size of the pebbles. These same pebbles have caused many a ship to be wrecked when strong winds have swept across the bay. Good ships and fine men have met their fate here and many ships have gone down with all hands lost to the raveges of the ocean.

Not much survives from the great gales of 1824 which swept away the village of Fleet when a fierce tidal wave swept over the bank. Of the church it is only the chancel that remains, nothing was left of the village.

Disaster to one side, Chesil is a wonderful area that is very much in harmony with nature, it is a truly amazing place which is a haven for many species of sea-birds and wildlife. It is close to Portland Harbour, Fortuneswell and the lively resort of Weymouth.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Chesil Beach.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Chesil Beach

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Recommended towns near Chesil Beach

Langton Herring, in the county of Dorset (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NE)
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Abbotsbury, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction NW)
Abbotsbury is a small picturesque and historic village in the county of Dorset.
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Weymouth, in the county of Dorset (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction E)
Weymouth is one of the most finest and famous of all England's seaside resorts, having first been used by King George III to try and help cure his nervous disorder by bathing in the sea.
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Portland, in the county of Dorset (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)
As it juts into the sea Portland is bounded by some of the finest coastal scenery in the land.
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Fortuneswell, in the county of Dorset (7.1 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE)
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Osmington, in the county of Dorset (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction E)
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Dorchester, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NE)
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Burton Bradstock, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction NW)
This in one of the most enchanting villages to be found along the sweeping Dorset coast. It has gorgeous little lanes where...
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West Bay, in the county of Dorset (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NW)
West Bay nestles at the western end of spectacular Chesil Beach whose billions of pebbles have been a constant source of fascination for centuries.
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Higher Bockhampton, in the county of Dorset (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction NE)
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Nearby travel help

Upwey Station

Weymouth Station

Bournemouth Airport

M5 Junction 25

M5 Junction 26

Exeter Airport

Accommodation & Hotels near Chesil Beach

Hotel Name
Award Guest House
Hotel Rembrandt
The Sun Inn
Best Western Hotel Prince Regent
Russell Hotel
Letchworth Guest House
Heights Hotel & Leisure Centre
Portland Lodge
The Wessex Royale Hotel
Kings Arms Hotel
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts