Monks Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monks Bay |
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 Monks Bay |
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 Monks Bay
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| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Monks Bay is a lovely spot on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, England. It's just east of the village of Bonchurch and stretches for about a third of a mile. Many visitors love this bay. It's one of the most beautiful natural places in the area. Famous people like Charles Dickens have even visited the nearby town. You can also find interesting plants growing here. A row of houses sits along the bay, looking out over the English Channel.
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A Look Back: The History of Monks Bay
Monks Bay got its name from an old story. People believe that French monks from Lyra Abbey landed here long ago. They had traveled all the way from Normandy!
This bay was also a very important place in 1545. It was one of three spots where about 2,000 French soldiers landed. This led to the Battle of Bonchurch. The French wanted to take over the Isle of Wight. But the battle stopped them from seizing the island. This allowed England to continue fighting in the Italian War of 1542–46.
For a long time, Monks Bay was known for secret activities. People would bring illegal goods ashore here and then move them inland. The bay was also used for regular shipping. Ships would unload their cargo here. Fishing for lobsters and crabs was also a big part of life. This activity still continues today.
Shipwreck at Monks Bay
In 1871, a large sailing ship called the Underley got into trouble. It was an iron ship, weighing 1,292 tons. A strong storm caused it to crash between Monks Bay and Steel Bay. The ship was traveling from London to Melbourne, Australia. It had thirty passengers and lots of cargo on board.
Sadly, the ship was lost, but almost everyone was saved. Only one person was lost: a steward. He went back onto the breaking ship to rescue his pet bird. A big wave washed him overboard. Even today, if a storm moves the sand, divers can sometimes see parts of the shipwreck.
Exploring the Geology of Monks Bay
The cliffs behind Monks Bay are covered in plants. But they are made of different types of rock and clay. Below the high tide line, the bay has a mix of sand and small stones. When the tide is out, you can see a large sandy beach.
In the early 1990s, the area's sea defences were improved. This was a big project that cost £1.4 million. Workers brought in 25,000 tons of special Norwegian granite. They also added 40,000 cubic meters of sand and shingle. This was all done to stop the ocean from eroding the land too much.
Monks Bay is so special that it even has a type of rock named after it! This rock is a kind of sandstone. It is only found on the Isle of Wight.
Images for kids
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Monks Bay
