With the existing path linking the village and bay having a ‘make-over’ including new gates, bridge, drainage works and path clearance, together with path improvement along the coastal path, visitors are encouraged to park at Kimmeridge Bay and visit the village using the improved access.

Visitors are now welcomed to Kimmeridge Bay by a new oak framed interpretation panel at Gaulters Gap, (the western end of the main car park) and a panel on the wall of the toilet facilities in the smaller car park providing information on the local area, and what they can see and do whilst visiting this unique and beautiful part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Visitors are encouraged to walk the improved path to the village led by new wayfinding fingerposts along the walking trail. Interactive, eye-catching illustrations along the trail tell the story of Kimmeridge marine life past and present, showing how the creatures found here today are linked to past wildlife through geological time.

Julie Hatcher from the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust says:
“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”.

Carla Crook, from the Etches Collection Fossil Museum says:
“The new walking trail provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to Kimmeridge to immerse themselves in the surrounding beauty of our countryside landscape and in linking both the Wild Seas Centre and The Etches Collection Museum, go ‘back in time’ to learn all about Kimmeridge’s ancient and modern marine wild life.”
There is still some outstanding work to be done to remove old information plinths which will be undertaken as soon as possible.

This project has been made possible by partnership working and 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.

Dorset Coast Forum (DCF) is an independent neutral strategic coastal partnership, which looks at the long term, broad-scale issues facing the Dorset coast and its inshore waters. The overriding aim of the Forum is to promote a sustainable approach to the management, use and development of Dorset’s coastal zone to ensure that its inherent natural and cultural qualities are maintained and enhanced for the benefit of future generations. Find them on Twitter at @Dorset_CF and Facebook @DorsetCoastForum.