Brook Chine facts for kids
Brook Chine is a cool natural spot on the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight, which is an island off the coast of England. It's located just west of a small village called Brook. Another tiny community, Brookgreen, is right along its southern side.
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What is a Chine?
A chine (pronounced "chain") is a special type of gully or valley found along coastlines. It's usually formed when a small stream or river cuts its way through soft rock and soil, creating a narrow, steep-sided channel that leads to the sea. The Isle of Wight has many of these unique features because of its soft coastal rocks.
How Brook Chine Formed
Brook Chine is a small coastal gully. It was created over a very long time by a stream slowly wearing away the soft rocks from the Cretaceous period. These rocks are much older than humans, dating back to the time of dinosaurs! The stream carved a path all the way to the sea.
Where is Brook Chine?
This chine stretches about 300 meters (about 980 feet) from the A3055 Military Road westwards. It ends at the beach in Brook Bay, which is just south of a spot called Hanover Point.
What You'll See at Brook Chine
The sides of the gully at Brook Chine are not super steep. This allows different kinds of tough bushes, scrub, and rough grasses to grow there. It's a great place to see coastal plants.
The chine also helps drain water from the nearby land. This land is mostly flat farmland that stretches from Mottistone Down in the north down to the coast. It also extends almost to the next chine, Chilton Chine, which is to the east.
Exploring the Coastal Path
The famous Isle of Wight Coastal Path actually crosses over Brook Chine. Hikers and walkers can use the road bridge on the A3055 to get across it. This path lets you explore many beautiful parts of the island's coastline.
