Sharkham Point facts for kids
Sharkham Point is a special piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It's called a headland. You can find it near the fishing town of Brixham in Devon, England. From Sharkham Point, you can look out over St. Mary's Bay. It's also just a short walk from Berry Head Country Park.
This area used to be a path where coastguards walked regularly. They were watching the sea. As you walk near St. Mary's Bay, the path goes up and down. This is because the soft rocks there have worn away over time. These rocks are called middle Devonian shales. They are very old, from the Devonian period. Because of these rocks, the bay was once known as "Mudstone Bay." If you look carefully on the beach below, you might even find many fossils!
History of Sharkham Point
Sharkham Point has an interesting past. Long ago, people dug for iron here. This was between the years 1790 and 1930. You can still find old tunnels from these mines. These tunnels are called adits.
From Mine to Nature Spot
After the mining stopped, Sharkham Point was used for something different. It became the main place where Brixham town put its rubbish. This is sometimes called a "town tip." Because of this, many of the old mining tunnels and other remains were covered up.
Today, Sharkham Point is much different. It is now looked after as a special place for nature. This means it's a nature conservation area. People work to protect the plants and animals that live there. It's a great place to visit. From the point, you can enjoy amazing views of the Heritage coastline. This is a beautiful part of the coast that is protected for its natural beauty.
