Bowleaze Cove

View of Bowleaze Cove.
The cove from the top of Furzy Cliff, showing the Riviera Hotel.
Weymouth Bay: Bowleaze Cove and Jordon Hill, painted by John Constable in 1816–17.

Bowleaze Cove is a small sand and shingle beach, near the village of Preston, just to the northeast of Weymouth, Dorset, England. The cove is on the Jurassic Coast and is known for its geology.[1]

The beach is made up of mainly shingle and shell with some sandy areas. It is a popular family beach during the summer season and has a slipway for launching small craft. There are rock pools to explore at low tide and a small pier dividing the beach near to where the River Jordan flows out onto the beach. It is often a mark for anglers during late evening especially further along the beach heading towards Overcombe. At Bowleaze are the Fantasy Island Funfair, a takeaway, and a gift shop. During the warmer months from Easter onwards every Monday there is a market and car boot sale based in the car parking areas.

Bowleaze Cove provides excellent views over Weymouth and during the peak weeks of the summer the weekly Weymouth firework displays can be seen from here. A Roman temple remains are located on Jordan Hill, leading down to Bowleaze. Just to the west is Furzy Cliff. There is a coastal cliff walk from Bowleaze passing the Broadrock cliffs, Redcliff Point, and onto Osmington Mills to the east. The hill figure of the Osmington White Horse can also be seen from the area. The cove is dominated by the Riviera Hotel. This Grade II listed Spanish-style 1940s building was formerly a Pontins. In November 2009 the hotel was sold for a reported £3.5 million to Saudi Arabian investors.[2] It has undergone a £4 million refit and is due to reopen in the spring of 2012.[3]

In 1816–17, the artist John Constable painted Weymouth Bay: Bowleaze Cove and Jordon Hill while on his honeymoon. The painting is now in the National Gallery, London.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ian West, Bowleaze Cove to Redcliff Point, east of Weymouth, Dorset; Geology of the Wessex Coast, 14 April 2009.
  2. ↑ Laura Kitching (11 November 2009). "Riviera touched - landmark hotel is sold to Saudis". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  3. ↑ Joanna Davis (13 January 2012). "Ninety jobs set to boost Weymouth". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  4. ↑ Weymouth Bay: Bowleaze Cove and Jordon Hill, The National Gallery, London, UK.

External links

Coordinates: 50°38′08″N 2°25′14″W / 50.6356°N 2.4206°W / 50.6356; -2.4206

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