Chesil Beach, Dorset
This pebbly ridge covers an 18 mile stretch from West Bay near Bridport to the Isle of Portland, and is mostly separated from the mainland by the Fleet Lagoon, a designated bass nursery area. The pebbles sit on a bank of clay and sand and are graded in size from pea-size shingle at one end to the size of a man’s fist at the other. Chesil Beach is a unique feature that’s part of the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast and it’s an important area for wildlife, being noted for the diversity of flora and fauna.
The entire ridge is utterly scenic and along it’s course some of the places you can visit are an absolute delight. Go to Abbotsbury Swannery and the Sub-Tropical Gardens where at the right time of year you can see cygnets hatching; up on the hill nearby is the ruined St Catherine’s Chapel. At Burton Bradstock that whole coastal ambience is undescribably gorgeous and you can have a bite to eat at the Hive Beach Café; quieter beaches for walks and mackerel fishing are West Bexington and Cogden.