Osmington Mills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osmington Mills |
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 The Smugglers' Inn at Osmington Mills |
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 Osmington Mills
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| OS grid reference | SY734820 |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WEYMOUTH |
| Postcode district | DT3 |
| Dialling code | 01305 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Osmington Mills is a small, charming coastal village located in the beautiful county of Dorset, England. It's often called a hamlet, which means it's a very tiny settlement. You can find it about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of the larger town of Weymouth. This quiet spot is part of the civil parish of Osmington.
Contents
Discovering Osmington Mills' Ancient Rocks
The coastline around Osmington Mills is a special part of the famous Jurassic Coast. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its amazing rocks and fossils. It's like a giant outdoor museum!
What Kind of Rocks Can You Find?
The cliffs here are made of different types of rock. You'll see Kimmeridge Clay and rocks from the Corallian group. These rocks formed during the Oxfordian period, which was part of the Upper Jurassic time. That's millions of years ago!
Finding Fossils and Ancient Traces
If you look closely, you might find fossils in the cliffs. These are the preserved remains of ancient plants and animals. The rocks also have interesting "trace fossils." These aren't bones, but clues like ancient footprints or burrows left by creatures long ago. To the west of Osmington Mills, you'll find Black Head and Redcliff Point. These spots also have fossils, especially in the Upper Oxford Clay.
Fun Things to Do in Osmington Mills
Osmington Mills is a popular place for visitors. It offers many things to do, especially if you love the outdoors.
Places to Stay and Eat
You can find camping areas and caravan sites here. This makes it a great spot for a holiday. There's also a historic public house called The Smugglers' Inn. This inn has been around for a very long time, with its history traced back to the 13th century!
Enjoying the Coastline
The area is perfect for attractive coastal walks. You can explore the cliffs and beaches. The views of the sea are stunning, and it's a great way to experience the natural beauty of Dorset.
John Constable's Art Connection
The beautiful scenery around Osmington Mills and Osmington Bay inspired a famous artist. John Constable was an English landscape artist. He painted many scenes of the countryside and coast.
Constable's Honeymoon Inspiration
John Constable spent his honeymoon in this area in 1816. The stunning views clearly made a big impression on him. He captured the beauty of the bay in several of his paintings.
Famous Paintings of the Area
Some of his well-known paintings from this time include:
- Osmington Bay
- A View of Osmington Bay
- Weymouth Bay from the Downs above Osmington Mills
- Weymouth Bay: Bowleaze Cove and Jordon Hill
These artworks help us see how Osmington Mills looked almost 200 years ago.
Gallery
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The rounded nodules on the beach to the east of Osmington Mills are of calcite-cemented sandstone and come from the Bencliff Grit Formation which is found at the base of the cliffs.
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Poetry at the
'Smugglers Inn' (Based on Rudyard Kipling's A Smuggler's Song) -
Weymouth Bay from the Downs above Osmington Mills, John Constable, (c. 1816)
