Stair Hole facts for kids

Stair Hole

Stair Hole is a cool little cove found on the coast of Dorset, in southern England. It's right next to the famous Lulworth Cove. What makes Stair Hole special are its amazing rock formations. You can see layers of limestone rock that have been bent and folded over time. This unique feature is often called the Lulworth crumple.

If you look from the sea, you'll spot several caves. One of the most impressive is Cathedral Cavern. It has tall rock pillars that rise right out of the water, like columns in a grand building. These incredible rock shapes were formed millions of years ago. They were created when huge forces pushed the Earth's crust together. Later, wind and waves slowly wore away the softer rock, revealing what we see today.

Discovering Stair Hole's Amazing Rocks

Stair Hole is famous for its unique geology. The rocks here show how the Earth's crust can bend and fold. This process is called folding. It happens when strong forces push on rock layers. Imagine pushing a rug from both ends; it would wrinkle up. That's similar to what happened to these rocks.

The Lulworth Crumple Explained

The Lulworth crumple is a great example of rock folding. It's a series of tight, wavy folds in the limestone layers. These folds were created during a massive mountain-building event. This event happened millions of years ago. Over time, the sea and weather wore away the land. This erosion slowly uncovered these amazing folded rocks.

Caves and Pillars at Stair Hole

Stair Hole also has several interesting caves. You can often see them from the water. Cathedral Cavern is one of the most striking. It has natural rock pillars that support its roof. These pillars make the cave look like a grand hall. They are a natural wonder carved by the sea.

Stair Hole in Movies and TV Shows

Because of its beautiful and dramatic scenery, Stair Hole has been a popular spot for filming. It has appeared in several movies and TV shows over the years.

Stair Hole on Screen

• Nuts in May: This area was featured in Nuts in May. It was a TV play from the series Play for Today. The play was directed by Mike Leigh.
• Five on a Treasure Island: Stair Hole also appeared in the 1957 film Five on a Treasure Island. This movie was a film serial. It was made by the Children's Film Foundation.
• The Moonraker: The cove was also the setting for an exciting sword fight. This fight was in the 1957 movie The Moonraker. Actors George Baker and Peter Arne fought there.

Images for kids

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  Stair Hole formation

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  East end of the Lulworth Crumple at Stair Hole

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  West end of the Lulworth Crumple at Stair Hole