Woody Bay, Isle of Wight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woody Bay |
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 Woody Bay |
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 Woody Bay
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| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
Woody Bay is a small, pretty bay on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, England. It sits below the village of St. Lawrence. The bay faces south, looking out towards the English Channel. Its shoreline stretches for about 260 yards (238 meters).
The bay has a rocky coast with some areas of small stones and larger pebbles. Behind the beach are cliffs made from rock that has fallen from above. These rocks are from types called Upper Greensand and Chalk. Woody Bay is part of a bigger area known for landslides, but it's mostly a safe and stable spot.
The Isle of Wight Coastal Path runs along the coast right behind the bay. You can get some of the best views of Woody Bay from Woody Point. A small path leads down from the coastal path, letting you walk right onto the beach.
In the winter of 2019 and 2020, a big landslide happened on the cliff in the middle of the bay. More small landslides occurred the next winter, adding more rocks and dirt to the beach.
Just west of Woody Bay, you'll find a cool rock formation called the Sugarloaf. It's a large block of tilted rock that broke away from the main cliffs. There's a path that goes to the top of the Sugarloaf. From there, you can see amazing views along the coast.
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What is Woody Bay Like?
Woody Bay is a quiet and natural place. It's known for its interesting geology and coastal views.
Exploring the Shoreline
The beach at Woody Bay is mostly rocky. You'll find areas with shingle, which are small, smooth stones. There's also a "storm beach" made of larger pebbles. This means the waves can be quite strong here, especially during storms.
The Cliffs and Rocks
The cliffs behind Woody Bay are made of different types of rock. These include Upper Greensand and Chalk. Over time, pieces of these rocks have broken off and fallen, creating the rocky beach. This area is part of a larger natural landslide zone, but Woody Bay itself is usually stable.
History of Woody Bay
Woody Bay has a fascinating, though debated, story from World War II.
The Secret Wartime Raid
According to a book written in 2016 by Adrian Searle, Woody Bay might have been a secret landing spot during the Second World War. The book claims that German soldiers secretly landed here. Their goal was to get equipment and prisoners from a nearby British air base called RAF St Lawrence.
Was the Raid Real?
The book suggests that the British government tried to keep this raid a secret. However, many historians and experts don't believe the raid actually happened. There isn't much proof to support the story, so it's not widely accepted as a real event. It remains an interesting local legend!
