Straight Point facts for kids
Straight Point is a special part of the coast in Devon, England. It's like a piece of land that sticks out into the sea, called a headland. You can find it between the towns of Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton.
Where is Straight Point?
Straight Point is located on the south coast of England. It is about 10 miles (16 km) south of the city of Exeter. The headland is also close to other towns. It's about 2.5 miles (4 km) southeast of Exmouth. Sidmouth is about 7 miles (11 km) to the southwest.
The top part of Straight Point is used by the Royal Marines. They use it as a firing range for training. To the west of Straight Point is Sandy Bay. This is a popular beach where people go for holidays. You can reach Sandy Bay by walking along the coastal path. There is also a large caravan park nearby. To the east, you will find two smaller coves. These are called Otter Cove and Littleton Cove.
What is Straight Point made of?
The cliffs at Straight Point are made of red sandstone. These rocks are very old and show interesting layers. Scientists call these layers the "Exmouth Formation." Most of the western part of the cliffs can be reached. You can walk there when the tide is low from Sandy Bay. Only a small part of the eastern side can be reached at low tide.
Ancient Rocks
The cliffs are mostly made of layers of "Aylesbeare Mudstone." But they also have layers of sandstone. These rock formations are very important. They are some of the oldest rocks found along this entire coast. They formed during the Triassic period. This was about 250 million years ago! Both the mudstone and sandstone are red. This color tells us something important. It means these rocks formed in a desert long, long ago.
