Man o' War Cove facts for kids
Man o' War Cove is a beautiful bay located on the Dorset coast in southern England. It's also sometimes called Man of War Bay. This special spot is surrounded by rocky cliffs. To its west is the well-known Durdle Door, a huge natural rock arch. To the east is Man O War Head, another rocky point.
What Makes Man o' War Cove Special?
Man o' War Cove is famous for its unique rock formations. A line of noticeable rocks stretches across the far side of the cove. These rocks help to partly enclose the bay, making it feel like a sheltered spot. Many maps even call these rocks "The Man o' War."
These exposed rocks continue further along the coast. About 100 meters from the shore, you can find other interesting rocks. These include Norman Rock, Pinion Rock, and a group of rocks around the Ball Stone. They are all part of the larger St Oswald's Bay.
It's often possible to walk along a narrow strip of dry sand. This sandy path connects Man o' War Cove to the rest of St Oswald's Bay. From the west side of the cove, you can see almost all of St Oswald's Bay.
Where is Man o' War Cove Located?
The official maps from the UK Ordnance Survey clearly show Man o' War Cove. They describe it as a distinct crescent-shaped bay. This cove is actually a smaller part of a much larger area called St Oswald's Bay. St Oswald's Bay stretches out to the east, looking like a long, gentle curve. It's about five times wider than Man o' War Cove itself.
St Oswald's Bay, including Man o' War Cove, is protected from the strong waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This protection comes from the land to the south, like Devon, and closer points like Portland Bill. These features create a larger area called Weymouth Bay, which has many smaller coves. Further east, you find even bigger bays like Christchurch Bay or Poole Bay. These larger bays include the sea area east of Swanage on the Purbeck peninsula.
Images for kids
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The cove seen from Durdle Door. The rocks closest to us are called "The Man of War." Further along to the east, you can see other named rocks in St Oswald's Bay.
