Brandy Bay, Dorset facts for kids
Brandy Bay is a small, quiet bay on the south coast of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. It faces southwest and has a beach made of oil shale and small stones. The bay sits right below Gad Cliff and Tyneham Cap. It's located to the east of Worbarrow Bay and west of Hobarrow Bay.
Where is Brandy Bay?
Brandy Bay is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) southeast of Tyneham, which is a ghost village. It's also about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) south of Wareham and 16 kilometres (10 miles) west of Swanage.
You cannot go onto the beach at Brandy Bay. You can only reach it by walking along the South West Coast Path from Hobarrow Bay, or by boat. The land around Brandy Bay belongs to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This area is part of the Lulworth Ranges, which is a training ground for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School at Lulworth Camp.
The Lulworth Ranges cover a huge area, more than 2,830 hectares (7,000 acres). This land is also part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It stretches along the coast from Lulworth Cove to just west of Kimmeridge. Because the military uses tanks and other armoured vehicles here, there are important safety warnings. The MoD puts up signs about explosives and unexploded shells. Visitors must stay on the official footpaths and follow all local safety notices.
What is the history of Brandy Bay?
Long ago, the Romans had a settlement at Brandy Bay. But the bay's name, "Brandy Bay," comes from something else. In the 17th and 18th centuries, people often used this bay for smuggling. This means they secretly brought goods into the country without paying taxes.
What is the geology of Brandy Bay?
The rocks around the Isle of Purbeck are very interesting and complex. You can see this clearly along the coast at Brandy Bay. The cliffs show layers of rock that are bent and twisted into extreme angles. This happened about 30 million years ago due to huge forces. The African and European continents slowly crashed into each other. This collision caused the rock layers to fold and twist. That's why you see younger rock formations further back in Worbarrow Bay.
Brandy Bay itself is made up of a type of rock called Kimmeridge Clay. Between Brandy Bay and Hobarrow Bay, there's a wide ledge of dolomite rock. This special rock ledge is known as Long Ebb.
