The influence of the Weymouth anticline is evident in this stretch of the World Heritage Site, between Abbotsbury and White Nothe.
Between Furzy cliff and White Nothe, the geological outcrops are Jurassic (166-145 million years old), at a time of fluctuating sea levels, topped with Cretaceous geology (105-75 million years old) laid down during rising and higher sea levels.
There are a few notable points of geological and palaeontological interest here. The Oxford Clay at Redcliff Point is a candidate global geological reference point (Global Stratigraphic Section and Point). The Weymouth Bay Pliosaur (Pliosaurus kevani) displayed at Dorset Museum, was found near Black Head. A unique dinosaur was found in the Oxford Clay at Furzy Cliff and there are exceptional trace fossils preserved in the Corallian.
Must see areas include:
- Bowleaze Cove
- Osmington Mills, known for tales of smuggling
- WWII fortifications between Osmington Mills & Ringstead
- ‘Sheep path’ up the face of White Nothe historic landslides
- Medieval settlement at Ringstead.
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