Newton's Cove facts for kids
Newton's Cove is a lovely small beach located about 0.5 kilometers (or half a mile) south of Weymouth in Dorset, England. It's a great spot with sand, shingle, and lots of fun rock pools to explore!
This cove looks out over Portland Harbour and is right next to the historic Nothe Fort. It's a popular place for local people and visitors who come to see the Nothe Gardens and the fort.
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Cool Things That Happened at Newton's Cove
Building a New Bridge
In 2009, something exciting happened at Newton's Cove: a brand new bridge was built! The old concrete bridge was 73 years old and needed to be replaced.
At first, the local council planned to build ramps instead of a new bridge. But people living nearby and community groups worked together to ask for a proper new bridge. Their efforts paid off, and the council found money to build it. An artist named Chris Tipping helped design the new bridge, working with the engineers.
Exploring Wildlife in the Welly Zone
In 2011, the Dorset Wildlife Trust held a special event at the cove. It was part of their three-year project called the 'Welly Zone'.
Experts from Weymouth Sea Life Park and the Dorset Wildlife Trust spent hours looking for plants and animals. They explored the rock pools and the area where the tide goes in and out. They wanted to learn more about the delicate habitats along the Dorset coastline to help protect them.
They found some interesting things that might show how the climate is changing. For example, certain types of shells seemed to be spreading further along the coast. They also found wireweed, which is a plant that originally came from Asia!
Protecting Newton's Cove: The Coast Scheme
A Big Project to Protect the Coast
Back in 2003, a big project costing £1.95 million was started at Newton's Cove. The main goal was to protect the homes nearby from the sea. It also aimed to keep the important local geology (the rocks and landforms) safe and even make the area look nicer.
The old sea wall was often damaged by the tides. Now, a strong new sea wall protects the area. It also created a new path that people can easily use to walk along the coast.
Inspired Design and Grand Opening
The designers, Enplan, were inspired by the amazing chalk cliffs of the Dorset coast that you can see across Weymouth Bay. They shaped the main walls of the cove to look like the cliffs and the Isle of Portland. Local Portland stone was used to cover the walls.
To make the area even more beautiful, special lights and plants were added. This gives the promenade a modern and welcoming feel, perfect for a walk on a warm summer evening. Judges of the project said it was a "vitally important contribution" to protecting Weymouth's sea wall. They also called it an "excellent example of a contemporary promenade."
The new promenade officially opened on September 29, 2003. A local schoolboy named Joseph Walker, who was 10 years old, had the honor of opening it. He won a poetry competition among local schools! The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Councillor Doug Hollings, also joined him.
Because the project was so successful, the Newton's Cove Coast Protection Scheme was a finalist in the 2004 Prime Minister's better public buildings awards.
