The Undercliff

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The Undercliff is the name of three areas of landslip on the south coast of England. One Undercliff is on the Isle of Wight, another on the Dorset-Devon border near Lyme Regis, and a third near Branscombe in East Devon. All arose from slump of harder over softer strata, giving rise to irregular landscapes of peaks, gullies and slipped blocks, that have become densely vegetated due to their isolation and unsuitability for habitation or farming.

1 Isle of Wight
2 Dorset
3 East Devon
4 External links

[edit] Isle of Wight

The Undercliff on the Isle of Wight skirts the southern edge of the island from St Lawrence, near Ventnor in the east, to St. Catherine's Point, the southernmost point on the island. A favourable climate here has resulted in a semi-tropical environment like no other on the Island. This unique, attractive, tumbling landscape is mainly covered by lush vegetation.

The microclimate of warm sunshine, moist air and few winter chills was recognised by leading physicians in Victorian times as ideal for the treatment of respiratory diseases, which led to the establishment of a chest hospital at Ventnor. The former hospital grounds subsequently became the twenty-two acre Ventnor Botanic Garden.

Golden Cap across Lyme Bay from the Undercliff (Lyme Regis)

The development of Ventnor and St Lawrence during the mid-19th century saw the construction of many fine houses and villas and the creation of some beautiful gardens.

[edit] Dorset

The Undercliff in Dorset-East Devon stretches the 5 miles between Lyme Regis, near to the Cobb harbour, and Seaton. Like its namesake on the Isle of Wight, this feature also arose as a result of landslips and has become a rare and unusual habitat for plants and birds. It is a National Nature Reserve and part of the South West Coast Path. The foot path stretches for 7 - 8 miles and is not accessible except at each end.

[edit] East Devon

The Hooken Undercliff is on the cliff route between Beer, Devon and Branscombe. A slump in the Chalk cliffs in 1790 separated a 10 acre tract of land, now a wooded and sheltered habitat with chalk pinnacles on the seaward side. It is reached via a steep footpath leading from the clifftop to Branscombe Beach.