Kimmeridge is a tiny coastal parish on the Isle of Purbeck, set around the rocky inlet of Kimmeridge Bay on the Jurassic Coast. The shore is dominated by the fossil‑rich Kimmeridge Clay, whose name gave the Kimmeridgian stage of the Late Jurassic, and by distinctive shale ledges and a small natural harbour used by local boats and anglers. The geology and ledges make it a popular spot for fossil hunting, diving and marine wildlife watching.
Life in Kimmeridge is shaped by small‑scale tourism, conservation and traditional coastal activities; a visitor and education presence caters for those interested in the bay’s marine life and geology. There is also a faint industrial heritage in the form of past attempts to make use of the bituminous shales, but today the emphasis is very much on protecting the reef, enjoying the dramatic coastline and supporting the handful of holiday lets, cottages and local services that sustain the community.
Postcode districts covering Kimmeridge
Most populated places nearby
- Bournemouth 14.5 miles23.3 km
- Poole 10.4 miles16.7 km
- Weymouth 14.8 miles23.9 km
- Christchurch 18.6 miles30 km
- New Milton 22.3 miles35.9 km
- Ferndown 16.1 miles25.9 km
- Ferndown Town 15.9 miles25.5 km
- Dorchester 15.7 miles25.2 km
- Ringwood 21.8 miles35.1 km
- Verwood 21.2 miles34.1 km
- Portland 14.9 miles24 km
- Blandford Forum 17 miles27.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Steeple with Tyneham Parish 1.7 miles2.8 km
- Church Knowle Parish 2.1 miles3.3 km
- South East Purbeck Ward 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Corfe Castle Built-up area 3.2 miles5.1 km
- Worth Matravers Built-up area 3.8 miles6.1 km
- East Holme Parish 3.9 miles6.3 km
- Stoborough Built-up area 4.2 miles6.8 km
- Harman's Cross Built-up area 4.3 miles6.9 km
- East Lulworth Parish 4.5 miles7.3 km
- Ridge Built-up area 4.6 miles7.4 km
- Arne Parish 4.7 miles7.5 km
- Langton Matravers Built-up area 5 miles8 km
Example postcodes in Kimmeridge
Transport links
- Bournemouth Airport 16.7 miles26.9 km
- Southampton Airport 40.7 miles65.4 km
- Corfe Castle Railway Station 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Norden Railway Station 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Poole Bus Station 9.5 miles15.3 km
Hotels near Kimmeridge Ad
- Mortons Manor 3 3.3 miles5.2 km
- The Priory Hotel 4.9 miles7.9 km
- Kingston Country Courtyard 4 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Limestone Hotel 5.8 miles9.3 km
- Rnli College 9.2 miles14.8 km
- The Pines Hotel 3 7.2 miles11.6 km
- Springfield Country Hotel, Leisure Club & Spa 3 4 miles6.4 km
- West Lulworth House 5.9 miles9.4 km
- The Dorset Golf Hotel 7.6 miles12.2 km
- Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel 3 7 miles11.3 km
Local points of interest
- Purbeck Hills Hill 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Lulworth Abbey Historic site 3.6 miles5.8 km
- Little Bindon Abbey Historic site 5.4 miles8.6 km
- Bindon Abbey Estate 6 miles9.7 km
- Bindon Abbey Historic site 6.1 miles9.8 km
- Man O'War Beach Beach 6.7 miles10.8 km
- Poole Harbour Harbour 8 miles12.8 km
- Studland Beach Beach 8.4 miles13.5 km
- Bournemouth International Centre Theatre 12.7 miles20.5 km
- Weymouth Harbour Harbour 14.1 miles22.7 km
- Portland Harbour Harbour 14.4 miles23.1 km
- Portland Marina Marina 14.9 miles23.9 km