The following photographs were taken on a cruise along the western end of the Jurassic Coast provided by Stuart Lines on 17 July 2018 and taken by members of the Exeter University Club. The cruise left from Exmouth and terminated just beyond Ladram Bay. The service provided by Stuart Lines was excellent and the commentary informative and not intrusive; it can be thoroughly recommended. It was taken at high tide, which allowed the boat to pass close to the cliffs on its return after passing among the stacks off Ladram Bay. This may not be possible when the tide is lower.
At the west end of the Jurassic Coast the coastline consists of steep cliffs of red sandstone from the Triassic era laid down between 250 and 200 million years ago. At this time Devon was close to the equator and normally subject to desert conditions. However there were exceptions, as when a river flowing northward from France laid down the Budleigh pebble beds or when temporary flood plains deposited finer muddy sediments. The rock is easily eroded and in places the cliffs retreat at the rate of a metre a year. More resistant rocks remain as spectacular sea stacks, for example at Ladram Bay.
The images were sorted some time after the trip and at times the identification is a little hazy. Any corrections would be welcomed.
Exmouth. Holy Trinity Church, the Beacon and the Pavilion on the Esplanade.
Exmouth. Cliffs near Rodney Point.
Exmouth. Cliffs near Rodney Point.
Exmouth. Orcombe Rocks
Exmouth. Birds on Orcombe Rocks
Exmouth. Birds on Orcombe Rocks
Littleham. Straight Point.
Littleham. Straight Point Rifle Range.
Littleham. Straight Point Rifle Range.
Cliffs near Littleham Cove
Budleigh Salterton, cliffs at West Down, hollows resulting from wind erosion.
Budleigh Salterton, cliffs at West Down, strata with pebblebeds and rock fall.
Budleigh Salterton, large coastal subsidence at West Down.
Budleigh Salterton, rock fall with tumbled strata at West Down.
West Down and Budleigh Salterton.
Budleigh Salterton from the sea
Budleigh Salterton, beach huts from the sea.
Trees at the mouth of the Otter river.
Trees at the mouth of the Otter river.
Otterton, cliif from off Danger Point.
Otterton, cliffs near Brandy Head.
Otterton, rock fall near Brandy Head.
Otterton, undermining of cliffs near Chiselbury Bay
Otterton, rockfall near Chisebury Bay
Otterton, cliffs view toward Smallstone Point.
Sidmouth, Peak Hill.
Sidmouth, Peak Hill.
Sidmouth, Peak Hill.
Sidmouth from the west. Jacob's Ladder can be seen at the left.
Birds on low stack beneath High Peak.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
Ladram Bay, stacks.
This post last updated 23 July 2018
