Kimmeridge
Looking south-east to the Hen Cliff and the Clavell Tower
It has been called Cameric, Cuneliz (1086 - Domesday) and Kimerick (1212). the name probably means Convenient track. This is the only useful access to the sea for two miles in either direction.
The 12th century church was rebuilt about 1872, traces of the original remain. The houses, some of them thatched, are of Purbeck Stone and the village boasts an unusual telephone box.
Before the Norman Conquest Kimmeridge was held by Cerne Abbey. At the dissolution of the monasteries all the Abbey's rights were sold (by the Crown) including the rights to wreck to Sir William Uvedale. These rights passed in time to the Clavell and Mansel families. To this day if a vessel is wrecked off Kimmeridge anything that comes ashore in the bay becomes the property of the owners of Smedmore and Kimmeridge.
Most visitors head straight for the sea along the toll-road, the toll is effectively a fee for the use of the 5 acre car-park.
The seemingly natural beauty of the bay is deceptive. From the Iron Age and Roman shale workers to the 17th, 18th and 19th century alum, glass and fertiliser production, Kimmeridge has been a hive of industry.
On the cliff-top at the western end of the bay is an oil well. Sunk by BP in 1959 it has been in continuous production ever since and it is the oldest productive well in the UK. Operation is automatic and except for the occasional tanker traffic there is very little to see.
On the beach you may get an occasional whiff of petroleum. This may be natural. Many of the local rocks bear oil and the frequent rock falls release traces daily.
To the east of the bay the Clavell Tower dominates the headland. The tower was nominally a summerhouse and later a coastguard lookout but fairly hard rumour has it that it's main purpose was initially as a signalling station to smugglers in the offing. A mile to the west is Brandy Bay (inside the Lulworth firing ranges and usually out of bounds), such names are earned.
The view west from the foot of the Clavell Tower
Stay at The Priory Hotel when you visit Kimmeridge
Next: Lulworth
Sources.