Pulpit Rock, Geological formation at Portland Bill, England.
Pulpit Rock is a rock formation at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland on the Dorset coast in England. A large flat slab of Portland limestone sits on a natural pedestal, projecting out over the water.
In the 1870s, quarry workers blasting for Portland stone removed a natural arch that once stood here, leaving this formation behind as a remnant. The quarrying industry shaped much of Portland's coastline during that period.
The name "Pulpit Rock" comes from the formation's resemblance to a church pulpit, the raised platform from which a preacher speaks. Walking around it from different angles along the coast makes the likeness easy to spot.
The formation sits at the end of the path to Portland Bill and is easy to reach on foot from the car park nearby. The ground around it can be uneven and the spot is exposed to wind, so sturdy shoes and a windproof layer are a good idea.
The spot is known among anglers as one of the top places on the south coast to fish for wrasse, and a British record for Ballan wrasse was set here in 1998. This makes it a destination sought out by fishing enthusiasts who visit for reasons far removed from its geology.
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