Bexington Coast
Running from the mouth of the river Bride along to the Abbotsbury, the Bexington Coast is an open, windswept landscape of rough coastal grasslands and patches of scrub.
Running from the mouth of the river Bride along to the Abbotsbury, the Bexington Coast is an open, windswept landscape of rough coastal grasslands and patches of scrub.
Running from the mouth of the river Bride along to the Abbotsbury, the Bexington Coast is an open, windswept landscape of rough coastal grasslands and patches of scrub. Backed by the South Dorset Escarpment to the north, the undulating chalk and limestone slopes are exposed to the forces of the coast. There are dramatic views of the Fleet, Portland and towards Lyme Bay. The area is largely treeless expect for a few windswept specimens. Stunted hedgerows and post and wire fencing divide the expansive areas of rough grasslands and there are also areas of arable and pasture further inland. Toward the coasts, there are areas of reed beds and marsh. The landscape has a largely undeveloped character, with occasional farmsteads, small scale tourist development and car parks along the coast. The village of West Bexington provides a well-used point of access to the coastline.
Land shape and structure
The character is strongly influenced by the south facing chalk and slopes limestone leading towards the coast. The undulating topography is exposed to powerful coastal forces, shaping its rough and unsettled character.
Soils and vegetation
With underlying chalk and limestone, soils are mainly thin, supporting extensive rough grasslands and patches of scrub. Towards the western portion, significant areas of costal grazing marsh and reed beds add to the natural character.
Settlement and land cover
The area is largely devoid of settlement apart from occasional farmsteads and the village of West Bexington and dwellings at Othona. There are occasional car parks and tourist-based development distributed across the area. Landcover is largely pastoral, and mostly treeless with significant areas under management of the National Trust. The area is relatively remote with only narrow farm tracks and the South West Coast Path running along the pebbled beach.
Historic character
The area is largely late planned enclosure with some pockets of surviving strip fields in the west and piecemeal enclosures adjacent to settlement. The landscape retains a strong sense of traditional, extensive grazing patterns. World War II pill boxes add to the historic interest.
Visual character and perceptions
The strong influences of the coast have a dominant effect in shaping the rough and exposed character. With an absence of trees and sloping landform, the area has an open and natural coastal appearance.
Strength of character
The landscape is judged to have a strong character. The exposed, sloping landform, with sweeping views of the coast and extensive cover of rough grasslands enforce a strong sense of visual unity and character throughout the area. The distinctive features such as the patches of scrub and stunted hedgerows with occasional windswept trees reinforce the strength of character of this dramatic landscape. The relatively late enclosure of the landscape has allowed a good survival of strip fields. Among the few detracting elements that weaken the character are signage around the coastal car parks and some visitor-based development, including caravan parks.
Condition
Farming practices and the positive management of the National Trust across areas of rough coastal grassland and reed beds help ensure the continuity of past land management, supporting good ecological condition of these important habitats. Although some arable change has taken place, this has not greatly affected the condition of the landscape, with limited evidence of poor management. However, scrub encroachment is a threat to the viability of grasslands and requires constant management to maintain the balance of habitats. The replacement of hedgerows can occasionally be observed and should be resisted. Although there are a number of visually intrusive developments across the area, including caravan parks, pylons and poly tunnels, the overall character and condition of the landscape is not substantially harmed by these at present. Nonetheless efforts to mitigate such visual impact through within future planning is an important objective. Overall, the landscape is judged to be in good and stable condition.
The overall management objective for the area should be to conserve the open and undeveloped coastal character whilst enhance the characteristic features of rough coastal grasslands and reeds. Reduce the impact of visitor-based development.
Planning guidelines
Management guidelines
Notifications