Horseshoe Bay, Isle of Wight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horseshoe Bay |
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,_Isle_of_Wight,_UK.jpg) Horseshoe Bay |
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 Horseshoe Bay
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| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
Horseshoe Bay is a small, pretty bay located on the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight, England. It sits at the eastern end of a headland called Culver Down. The bay faces south-east towards the English Channel, and its shoreline is about 100 yards (91 meters) long. It's important not to confuse this bay with another one also named Horseshoe Bay, which is about 8 miles (13 km) southwest near Bonchurch.
Contents
Exploring Horseshoe Bay
What the Bay Looks Like
The bottom of the sea in Horseshoe Bay is quite rocky. The beach itself is made up of a steep slope of shiny flint pebbles. The cliffs around the bay are very tall and straight, curving inwards. These cliffs are made of chalk.
Cliffs and Wildlife
The chalk cliffs are not very stable. This means that rocks can sometimes fall from them. Many seabirds make their homes and raise their young on these cliffs. When the birds move around, they can accidentally dislodge rocks. Because of this, it can be dangerous to be on the beach, as falling rocks could cause injuries.
The Nostrils Caves
Just north-north-east of Horseshoe Bay are two caves known as The Nostrils. You can reach these caves by carefully climbing over a small rocky area. Be aware that at high tide, parts of these caves are covered by water.
How to Reach Horseshoe Bay
Getting to Horseshoe Bay can be tricky and depends on the tide.
Access by Boat
At high tide, the only way to reach Horseshoe Bay is by boat. The water comes right up to the cliffs, making it impossible to walk along the beach.
Access by Foot at Low Tide
When the tide is low, it is possible to walk to Horseshoe Bay. You can reach it from the headland near Whitecliff Bay. At certain times of the year, when the tide is extremely low, you might even be able to walk to Horseshoe Bay from Sandown Bay.
Important Safety Tips for Walking
If you plan to walk to the bay, you should only do so when the tide is falling (an ebb tide). This walk involves some climbing over rocks and a short journey across the base of the cliff, which might still be partly underwater even at very low tide. This path is between an old collapsed cave and The Nostrils.
It is very important to be careful. The coastguard and lifeboat teams are sometimes called to rescue people who get stuck. This can happen if the tide starts to rise quickly, or if people find the rocky path too difficult to manage. Always check tide times and be aware of your surroundings for your safety.
Images for kids
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The Nostrils to the south-south-west of Horseshoe Bay
