White Nothe

White Nothe (meaning "White Nose") is a chalk headland on the English Channel coast at the eastern end of Ringstead Bay, east of Weymouth in Dorset, England. The area is well known for its geology and fossils. Its flanks are the result of prehistoric landslides and the inaccessible slopes of the undercliff provide a secluded wildlife habitat.

White Nothe from Ringstead.
White Nothe undercliff and Ringstead Bay from the Smugglers Path.

A zigzag path up the cliff is believed to be one of the locations alluded to as a smuggler's path in the British children's book Moonfleet by J. Meade Falkner. It is possible to walk to the base of White Nothe along the shore from Ringstead Bay, but it is cut off at high tide, so much care should be taken. At the top of the Smugglers path there is a protruding nose shape coming out of the white cliff giving the name to the area.

The area is partly owned by the National Trust.[1] From the top of White Nothe, to the east, the chalk headland of Bat's Head can be viewed. It is possible to walk east along a clifftop path below the summit of Chaldon Hill to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.[2] The Isle of Portland can be seen to the southwest across the sea.

Immediately to the northwest of White Nothe is the Burning Cliff, which from 1826 smouldered with an underground fire for several years due to the bituminous shale.[3]

Situated at the top of White Nothe is a World War II pillbox, constructed in 1940–41 of brick and concrete, as part of the anti-invasion measures. Unusually, the structure is also fitted with a Royal Observer Corps observation post built on top, which was to spot and report aircraft.[4]

See also

References
  1. West, Ian M. Ringstead Bay to White Nothe, Geology of the Wessex Coast (Jurassic Coast, Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site). Internet field guide. National Oceanography Centre, Southampton University, UK. Version: 2 April 2009.
  2. "Walk – Durdle Door & White Nothe". www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk. UK: The South West Coast Path National Trail. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  3. Oil shale fire at Burning Cliff, Holworth. In Ian West, Geology of the Wessex Coast, Internet field guide.
  4. Historic England. "Monument No. 1419125". PastScape. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  • The Smugglers' Path.
  • The headland from the shore below the undercliff.
  • The west side of the headland at sea level.
  • View east from White Nothe.
  • The headland from the shore below the undercliff.

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