A footpath has been given a ‘makeover’ to establish a new walking trail linking the village of Kimmeridge to the bay.
Improvements are now complete to the pedestrian access links between the refurbished Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre at Kimmeridge Bay and the Etches Collection Fossil Museum in the village.
Steve Etches tests out the new trail
“Extraordinary story”
Julie Hatcher of the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:
“Kimmeridge tells the extraordinary story of marine wildlife that lived here millions of years ago and whose relatives can still be found in the rock pools and shallows today.
“This new trail, along with exhibitions at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre and Etches Collection Museum, explain that story and show visitors how to discover it for themselves.”
Information on the local area and what to see
Improving the link
The existing path that links the village and the bay has been enhanced with new gates, a bridge, drainage works and general path clearance. The coastal path has also been upgraded.
The idea is to encourage visitors to park at Kimmeridge Bay and visit the village using this improved access.
A new oak framed interpretation panel at Gaulters Gap now welcomes visitors to Kimmeridge Bay by the western end of the main car park and a panel on the wall of the toilet facilities in the smaller car park provides information on the local area and what people can see and do when visiting this stretch of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Illustrations of wildlife today – and yesterday
“Immerse themselves”
New wayfinding fingerposts guide visitors along the walking trail. There are also illustrations along the trail which tell the story of Kimmeridge marine life past and present, showing how the wildlife found here today are linked to creatures from past through geological time.
Carla Crook, from the Etches Collection Fossil Museum, said:
“The new walking trail provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to Kimmeridge to immerse themselves in the surrounding beauty of our countryside and by linking both the Wild Seas Centre and The Etches Collection Museum, to go ‘back in time’ to learn all about Kimmeridge’s ancient and modern marine wildlife.”
The trail links Kimmeridge village and the bay
A broad partnership
There is still some work to be finished to remove old information plinths which will be undertaken as soon as possible.
The project has been made possible by support from the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fund.
Partners on this project were Dorset Council’s Greenspace Team, Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Etches Collection, landowners Smedmore Estate, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the MOD), the Jurassic Coast Trust and coordinated by the Dorset Coast Forum.
Information for visitors to make the most of what’s here
