Arish Mell, Coastal bay in Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, United Kingdom.
Arish Mell is a small coastal bay nestled between Mupe and Worbarrow Bays along the English Channel. The beach combines pebbles and sand, with high chalk cliffs forming dramatic walls on either side of the shoreline.
The bay remained largely unaltered until the mid-20th century when pipes were built to discharge waste into the sea from a nearby facility. These pipes were removed after the facility ceased operation, leaving the natural landscape to recover.
The South West Coast Path near Arish Mell connects walkers to centuries of maritime traditions and geological exploration along the Jurassic Coast.
Access is limited because the area forms part of an active military training zone that opens only on designated weekends and holidays. Check local information before planning your visit to confirm when public access is permitted.
The bay opens a gap in the otherwise continuous ridge of chalk hills, exposing the different rock layers and formations within the cliffs. This geological break offers visitors a chance to see the interior structure of the landscape rather than its usual sealed face.
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