Blue Anchor to Lilstock Coast (SSSI)
Location and Access Information
Grid Reference: ST108433, ST 033435 and ST 1995462
Foreshore exposures east of Kilve.
The cliff and foreshore exposures along this stretch of coastline in north-east Somerset are best accessed from two locations on either side of Watchet. In the west, parking is available at the village of Blue Anchor and from here the excellent cliff section to the east at Blue Anchor Point can be accessed. The eastern part of the section can be accessed from the village of Kilve where car parking is available and a footpath leads down to the shore.
View the site map on Nature on the Map
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Geological Interest
This site provides an example of a series of sections through the uppermost Triassic rocks of the Penarth Group through into the lowermost part of the Jurassic (205-142 million years ago) Lias Group. The shales, mudstones and limestones of the Penarth Group were originally deposited in a very shallow sea and over tidal flats and yield many interesting fossils including fish and reptile bones. These rocks are best seen at Blue Anchor Point and in St. Audrie’s Bay. Overlying these rocks are the shallow marine, Jurassic mudstones and thin limestones of the Blue Lias. These yield the first fossil ammonites and other marine fossils and are considered to be the best rocks of this age and type in north-west Europe.
