St. Aldhelm's Head to Durlston Head, Jurassic Coast, Isle of Purbeck - Other Webpages

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| Durlston Bay -Lower Purbeck | Durlston Bay Bibliography | Purbeck Formation Bibliography | Purbeck Palaeoenvironments | | Durlston Head, Isle of Purbeck |St. Aldhelm's Hd to Anvil Point - Geological Bibliography |Durlston Bay - Peveril Point, Upper Purbeck Formation |Durlston Bay, Middle Purbeck Durlston Bay - Lower Purbeck |Durlston Bay - Central Zigzag Part & Coast Erosion |Durlston Head - Lower Purbeck Formation & Portland Stone |Durlston Bay - Bibliography |Portland - General |Portland Bill

[See also - External website with history of the swimming pool at Dancing Ledge which was blasted out of the rock for use by the school; go to: Spyway School; A History Essay. - recommended.]

General Introduction to Dancing Ledge geology

In the eastern part of Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Dancing Ledge is a notable feature. This is a large gently sloping ledge of part of the Portland Cherty Series, with a large abandoned quarry above. It has been said to have received its name from the appearance waves "dancing" on the ledge (although this is not particularly noticable) or because the sea ledge was humourously suggested to be as big and flat (but not smooth) as a dance floor ( Bruce, 1989). Actually, as mentioned below, there seems to have been dancing on the ledge with the help of brass band. The brass band certainly played, as the author who mentioned this was a member of the band () Hardy (1910). This is odd because a worse place for dancing, i.e. on the uncomfortable Prickle Bed, could hardly be chosen. The name "Dancing Ledge" was probably in use long before the brass band entertainment. Although there is no specific evidence for this, it may be more probable that the name is some corruption of a reference to the springs which lead to water trickling over the cliff near here. Immediately to the west of adjacent Green Point. The wet, slimy cliff is unusually dark - thus - "Dark Spring Ledge" was probably the original name.

In addition to this present water flow, at one time some fresh water may have trickled seaward at this very locality, rather than just to the east of it. As mentioned below there is a vertical pothole, a small vadose zone cave feature that is obviously the result of downward flow of water from the Purbeck clays above (perched aquifer) down through the Portland Stone.

The upper, quarried ledge has some adits or galleries, mostly (but not all) now partly closed, and some old piles of quarry debris with some fossils. The area is used for the training of rock climbers. A bathing pool has been quarried out of the lower ledge for Durnford Preparatory School.

The quarry, cliffs and ledge here provide a good section through the upper part of the Portland Cherty Series and through the Portland Freestone. Fallen blocks of stromatolitic limestone come from the basal Purbeck Formation above. Ammonites can be seen, various features of silicification are clear, sponge spicules can be seen in the chert, bivalves in the Portland Freestone are common. There is a small karstic cave and interesting travertine features. Cave development by the sea can be studied. To the east of Dancing Ledge is a significant fault affecting the cliffs and the topography just inland. A dry valley with hillwash deposits descends to the quarry, and the topic of former water flow in the area is of interest. Jointing in the Portland Stone is also interesting and could be studied and assessed by statistical methods as part of a student exercise.

INTRODUCTION - continued:

History of Dancing Ledge, Jurassic Coast

The quarry is very old and is peculiar in that it is probably the largest cliff quarry in Dorset without any road access. The limestone quarry provided good building stone from the Under Freestone Bed only of the Portland Limestone Formation and in addition various rock for sea walls, particularly at Ramsgate. This work took place a long time ago and the quarrying was finished and the place much as it now by mid Victorian times.

Seaward and lower than the old working quarry is a a large natural sea ledge, an original promontory formed by the Prickle Bed, J', of the Portland Chert Member of the Portland Stone Formation. The Prickle Bed dips to the east and descends below sea-level (which rarely happens elsewhere). Now the Prickle Bed is notable for being the most bioturbated, crab-burrowed part of the Portland Chert Member. As a result it is non-uniform and connected by linking burrows. Because of the near-randomness of the burrow system the cementation has been extremely irregular. Thus the rock does not behave in a uniform manner and it only has joint at wide spaced intervals; it is not prone to close jointing. Thus the bed is thin but strong and relatively resistant to wave action. Dipping into the sea it forms a "Hard", a landing area for boats. There is a similar situation on a smaller scale at the cliff quarry of Kimmeridge oil shale at Clavell's Hard. That quarry and set of mines, like the quarry and mines of Dancing Ledge has no road connection. Perhaps both Clavell's Hard and Dancing Ledge represent sites of early quarrying for sea transport before many roads reached the coast in this region.

When the quarry was abandoned it became a place for smuggling and for visiting, swimming and othjer recreation. Rock climbing there has been a more recent development. Some notes regarding non-geological activities here follow.

INTRODUCTION - continued:

More Historical Notes about Dancing Ledge

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Visit of the Prince of Wales, the Future King Edward VII, to Dancing Ledge

[Supplementary historical notes, based on Hardy (1910)]

On September 26th, 1856, H.R.H. the young Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, travelling incognito, stayed at the Royal Victoria Hotel, Swanage. This had received its name after Princess Victoria (when she was 14) stayed there in October, 1833. The Prince of Wales was only 14 years old. When the Prince arrived at the hotel he was unrecognised by the proprietor, Mr. William Hixon. The boy and his two gentleman companions told Mr. Hixon that they would need three beds. The hotel was almost full so the proprietor told them that he could only let them have two beds and the young gentleman, the boy, could sleep on the sofa. Edward did not give away his identity and he did spend the night on the sofa. It was only later when Mr. Hixon received a cheque signed by HRS, the Prince of Wales, that he realised that he had made a terrible mistake!

As they slept in the hotel that night, close to the coast, stormy weather started. About midnight a sever gale sprang up with heavy seas causing much damage to the fishing boats in Swanage Bay. The next day the young Prince Edward wanted to walk the coast from Swanage to St. Aldhelms Head and on to Kingston. This is a long and energetic walk and he must have been very fit! No doubt that the weather was still windy, especially out on the cliffs. Edward's luggage was sent in advance to the Eldon Arms, Kingston to await him. This hotel is still there, now known as the Scott Arms. It is conpicuous on the corner of Kingston and well known to visitors today. It has a good view northward to Corfe Castle. It takes its new name from the same man - John Scott, the First Lord Eldon, and owner of Encombe House and the great Encombe Estate.

The distinguished party at Swanage then set out to walk along the coastguard track westward. This footpath, as it is now, was narrow, winding, and involves descending and ascending the slopes of various valleys and hills (total ascent and descent of about 300m or 1000ft). At that date it was marked nearly the whole distance by white-washed stones, as a guide for coastguards patrolling at night. You can still walk Prince Edward's route, and for most of the way you will be on exactly the same soil. This path is now part of the modern South West Coast Path (traversing part of Jurassic Coast). The path is well-worn now but there are no white-painted rocks, as it is rarely traversed at night now.

In choosing this path Edward selected seven and a half miles (12km.) of the best rocky scenery to be found on the South Coast of England. He began with Durlstone Bay and Durlstone Head, at that date with far fewer trees than now. At Durlstone Head was the Castle and Globe of Mr. George Burt of Swanage. This looks the same. So the Prince almost started his cliff walk at what is now a Gateway to Jurassic Coast . From Durlston Head, he passed Round Down, with its ancient signal house, and then on past the Blackers Hole area to Dancing Ledge. The royal rambler (or "Royal pedestrian" in Hardy's language) could see the various ancient cliff quarries on this route. They still had at that date their antiquated lowering machinery, consisting of windlass and gibbet (illustrated elsewhere in this webpage). The Prince reached the large cliff quarry known as Dancing Ledge. He then went on from there and followed the coast path to St. Aldhelm's Head. From this promontory he continued on past Emmetts Hill to Chapman's Pool. He then walked up the coombe or valley to the village of Kingston and his destination at the Eldon Arms.

Edward was the first Prince of Wales to visit the "Jurassic Coast", as it is now known. The present Prince of Wales, Charles, opened the "Jurassic Coast" in 1992 at the eastern end near Exmouth, and then travelled by helicopter to a reception at Lulworth Castle, not far away from Swanage.

Hardy (1910) commented further about Dancing Ledge.

"A Picnic on Dancing Ledge

Then the romantic spot named Dancing Ledge was reached [by the Prince of Wales during his trip], where a picnic was once organised by the Rector and Lord of the Manor, The Rev. G.V. Garland and Mr. S. Serrell, of Langton. This outing took place on the flat rocks below, where a plentiful repast, consisting of lobster tea, salad and liquid refreshment, was indulged in. At one o'clock the feast began, accompanied by the strains of the Swanage Brass and Reed Band, of which I was a member.
After the lunch dancing followed until six o'clock [Where exactly did they dance? If the "flat rocks below" means the lower, Prickle Bed ledge, it would have been impossible to dance there, because of the very irregular surface. Perhaps the reference is to the quarry floor, which is reasonably flat.] Then the the rev. gentleman reminded them that the time of departure and return was drawing nigh, and proposed the usual toasts, including the health of the Queen and the 'Squire, who also proposed the health of the rector.
Then the band struck up "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and after three times three, they all commenced to climb the cliffs; but amongst them were a few ladies who were not expert at scaling the rocks, although assisted by gentlemen in front and behind; and, as such repeated acts of "backsliding" were observed by the Rector, he asked the bandmaster if he could play a suitable tune to enliven the proceedings and to encourage the inexpert ladies to hasten their ascent. The bandmaster answeredd "I will play any tune you like, sir" whereupon the Rector replied "Play 'Such a-getting upstair I never did see'". It is hardly necessary to add that this lively tune had the desired effect, and that all the party reached the top safely at least and wended their way homewards, thoroughly delighted with the their day's outing. Since the das mentioned above a capacious swimming tank has been hewn out of this rock for the use of the pupils of Durnford School."

Hardy (1910) also wrote this about Dancing Ledge.

"The Gull Shooter Shot [at Dancing Ledge]

The Rev. George Taylor, M.A., was curate of Langton [Matravers] in 1834. He lived with his father, the Rev. William Taylor at Magnolia House, Swanage, and used to drive [by horse and carriage] to Langton to do duty. One day he and his brother John took their father's yatch and sailed round the back of the cliff near Dancing Ledge with the object of shooting a few seagulls. He was in the cabin and his loaded gun was lying on the bed. His brother shouted down to him to bring the gun quickly as their was a good shot. Seizing the muzzle in his hand he turned to run up on deck, when the trigger caught in the bedclothes and the full charge went up his arm. There was scarcely any wind at the time, so it took them a long time to get back to Swanage. In those days ordinary people knew little about "ambulance work" or "first aid", and so the young man nearly bled to death. He survived only a few weeks and died at the early age of 26."

INTRODUCTION continued:

Dancing Ledge - Historical Notes continued:

Smugglers Carry Tubs from Dancing Ledge to Spyway Barn and Langton Church

Hardy (1910) wrote this about smuggling at Dancing Ledge.

At one time there were a number of people in Langton [Langton Matravers, up the hill from Dancing Ledge} and the neighbourhood well known to be great smugglers. About 1830 an exciting incident happened at the church [The church at Langton Matravers is only 2km directly north of Dancing Ledge, up the hill, and almost opposite Durnford Drive].
Most of the smugglers' hiding places had become well-known to the Coastguards. Another place had to be found somewhere. So a few Langtonian smugglers had a consultation, and one of the head ones thought that he knew a first-rate place, which was over the ceiling of the church in the apex of the roof. This place was reached by going up inside the tower. This new place was used for smuggling for a long time before it was discovered.
One dark night they were expecting a cargo of tubs at Dancing Ledge. The ganger [the foreman or gang leader of the smugglers] and his men were all on the Ledge watching for their craft. They had not to wait long before she came. They got the tubs [of brandy or gin] ashore all right, and away went the boat to sea in the darkness. The smugglers were glad to see their tubs landed safe without the Coastguards seeing them. They were men of different callings - quarriers, masons, labourers, shepherds etc.

The ganger said to them, "Now my lads, I can see very clearly that we shall not be able to get this big freight of tubs stored in the church tonight, seeing that all our men have not turned up. We shall have to stow them in some spot near the church. I do not know what to do."

Then a quarrier suggested putting the kegs in an old quarry near Spyway [photo above, and see the old Purbeck stone quarries, shown on the OS map, near Spyway Barn, up the hill]. Some did not agree with this place because it was wet and dirty. At last the Ganger said to a farm labourer "Come, Tom, don't you know a place handy? We have taken your advice before and it has been all right." "Yes", said Tom, "I know a good spot down at Spyway Barn. Pack them over with some straw." "Oh!" they said, "the coastguard will be bound to find them there." "No," said Tom, "I will take good care of that. I will open the bullhouse door and let the bull out night and day all the time they are there. As you know, our bull is a terror to the neighbourhood, and no one will ever go near him - not even the brave Coastguard with the brace of pistols, cutlesses, muskets and fixed bayonets." "Very well" said the ganger, "we will take your advice Tom." Before they began to work, they sat down [on the rocks at Dancing Ledge] and drank some of the hot stuff to spur them up over the cliff. Afterwards they went to work like dragons, first having placed two watchmen, one on the east and one on the west [of the old quarry]. They got their tubs all up over the cliff and down to [up to?] the barton at Spyway, where they left them in the custody of "John Bull". [a barton was an enclosed courtyard in which were enclosed hayricks and other farming and general stores associated with farming]. Spyway Barn is a farm and so probably the barton was a stone-wall enclosed field associated with the farm]. After that the men sat down and finished the remainder of the spirits left in the little keg that they had opened on Dancing Ledge. Then they all went home to bed and did not get up before twelve o'clock next day.

The next evening they were all summoned to the private room of the Kings Arms [this pub is still there - 27 High Street, Langton Matravers, Dorset] to devise plans to finish the job. The ganger said "We must have a different from last time, for although it was very dark we only just escaped capture. We ought not have unloaded the waggon in front of the Church. This time we must get to the tower another way." One said that they might bring the waggon down Durnford Road [Durnford Drove - see map] and get through the garden at the back of the house and through a small door west of the tower. [This seems to be a discussion of the gardens of Durnford House, before it became the spartan Durnford School in 1894, and was later attended by Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels. The school was notorious for its morning "strip and swim" rituals in the cold bathing pool at Dancing Ledge!]
The ganger answered "That is a very good plan; but I see two great lions in our way. First there is old John the gardener. He will tell the Squire everthing and a little more." "Leave him to me" said the landlord who was a bit of smuggler himself, "I will get him to leave the garden gate unlocked. I know the way to square old John. "Well," said the ganger, "That is one lion dead. What about the other?. There is a great dog whose kennel is close to the door." At this the shephard spoke up and said "I can kill that lion, for I had a sheep die the other day, so I can give that dog something to do for an hour." Then said the ganger "I think that this plan will do very well. We must all meet at the barton to-morrow night." So they all met at Spyway, loaded up the waggon, putting a little straw on the top, and at last the tubs were safely stowed away in the church. Nothing happened until three weeks after, when it was thought that one of the gang got short of cash and went over to Poole and gave information for which he received 50 pounds [a very large sum of money in those days]. The next day Mr. Lander, the chief Customs House officer, came to Swanage and called at Mr. Nat. Chichen's, at the Old Bank. Mr. Chinchen asked him to stay for lunch, but he said that he could not stop, as he had information that there was a large quantity of tubs packed away in Langton Church, and he must go and take charge of them at once. This he did and took them all away next day. I do not think that Langton Church was ever used for smuggling after that. [Mr. Hardy then discusses the rebuilding of Langton Church in 1892 on poor foundations].

[for more background information about Dorset smuggling procedures see: Smuggling in and Around Burton Bradstock.]

[Additional note re Chinchens - website:
Any chinchens in dorset/langton matravers?. Am looking to hear from anybody with information on Chinchen. Especially info on William Chinchen who age 9 (around 1846), was washed into the sea by a freak wave, while fishing with his friend off Dancing Ledge, and was sadly drowned. He had a younger brother John Albert Chinchen who was my paternal grandfathers uncle.]

INTRODUCTION:

Safety

There are obvious risk of falling over the cliff in parts of the Dancing Ledge and adjacent areas. Obviously the cliff edge should not be approached and visitors are usually cautious about this. Scrambling down to the lower ledge or up again might be difficult, particularly if there is no rope for assistance present at the time. If in doubt do not descend. Be sensibly cautious with the cliffs and coast at Dancing Ledge and adjacent coast.

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This website is concerned with geology and geological study, not with rock-climbing, coasteering or swimming. However, see the following report of a sad accident in 2019. This reveals the potential risk of some activities. In general, geologists do not usually have a reason to go to a particularly hazardous place with regard to the sea; however, this risk can occur. More often, risk of injury by rock falls, or of accidental slips on cliffs are possible; note also that chert must not be hammered because this can cause dangerous, sharp, high velocity splinters. A copy of a newspaper accident report is given, though, as a warning.

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See the Daily Mail, 30th May 2019 (available online). Extract follows. The article has a photograph of Dancing Ledge.

"Climber in his 40s dies and 12 people are injured after group gets into difficulty around jagged Dorset cliffs.

Man in his 40s has died and 12 are injured in accident on the Purbeck coast. Group had climbed along rocks, dived into sea, then swam to next outcrop. Major search operation on Sunday after group got into difficulty in the water. Police say man was pronounced dead at scene and his body was recovered.

The group had been 'coasteering', which sees people climb along jagged coastal rocks, dive into the sea, swim to the next outcrop and repeat the process. A search and rescue operation was launched on Sunday afternoon on the Purbeck coast after the group got into difficulty in the water and shouted for help."

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Further Details

"A Dorset Coasteering spokesman said: 'We are extremely saddened to confirm that man who was part of a coasteering group at Hedbury Quarry developed breathing difficulties and fell unconscious while in the water shortly after beginning the activity.
'Despite being quickly rescued from the sea by our instructor and given emergency first aid on the shore, very sadly he could not be resuscitated.
'No one else was injured during the incident and the rest of the group were transported back home safely later that day. The fact that it was not possible to save him will remain with us all for a very long time. At present we are unaware what triggered his breathing difficulties to the extent that he could not be revived, no doubt this will be confirmed in due course by the authorities.'
A police spokesman said: 'At 4.24pm on Sunday, we received a report from the coastguard about a group who were believed to have been involved in coasteering whereby one member got into difficulties at Dancing Ledge near Langton Matravers.
'Sadly one member of the group, a man in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious.'
Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene near Dancing Ledge (pictured today)"

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INTRODUCTION:

Access: Walk to Dancing Ledge of Jurassic Coast

Dancing Ledge (SY 997768) can be reached by Durnford Drove, a lane south from Langton Matravers, parking and walking to Spyway Barn (SY 999777 - National Trust with information), and going down the hill to the cliff.

(An alternative route is a longer, walk along the cliffs, 3 and a half kilometres from Durlston Castle (SY 035772) and Durlston Country Park (SY 032773), south of Swanage.)

To give more detail, first drive to Langton Matravers, which is an old quarrying village to the west of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, east Dorset, southern England.

Beyond Spyway Barn you will find a National Trust footpath and steps down the steep hill side. At the bottom is a stile and a path in to the top of the quarry.

You will now be on the path above the quarry. See where the people are near the fence, with some of them having a picnic.

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INTRODUCTION: ARRIVING AND WALKING DOWN TO DANCING LEDGE

Arriving at the Car Park, Langton Matravers, and then walking south and down to Dancing Ledge.

[WALK DOWN - start]

[WALK DOWN - END]

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From the viewpoint go down the steps into the old working floor of the Dancing Ledge Quarry. The wide quarry floor gives excellent views of the strata and of the sea. Most people go just to here, and walk and study around the old cliff quarry. Some, however, scramble down to the lower ledge on which the sea breaks (see section on Lower Ledge below).

INTRODUCTION:

Geological Maps etc.

Recommended for location and topographic information is the Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Sheet 15, 1:25,000 - Purbeck and South Dorset. The Geological Map is the Swanage Sheet - 343 and Part of 342, obtainable from the British Geological Survey .

The British Geological Survey map, 1:50,000, Solid and Drift, 2000 Edition, Swanage Sheet, 343 and part of 342, is well-worth purchasing. It can be obtained from the British Geological Survey website and is very inexpensive, costing only 12 pounds sterling. The map shown above is the new edition of the year 2000. It is different in some respects from older editions. Much of the nomenclature is relatively new but if you already know the stratigraphical sequence in the old terminology, it is quite easy to translate to the new language. The new map shows new data offshore and this is not on the old editions; it also shows areas of quarried-out ground. It shows less faults and less dip data for this part of the coast. Thus, both old and new editions should be used for serious study of these cliffs.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Seacombe, Dancing Ledge, Blackers Hole and the Amphitheatres etc.

INTRODUCTION:

Stratigraphical Succession

This classic diagram, based on Arkell (1933) shows the general uppermost Jurassic/basal Cretaceous succession in the Isle of Purbeck , compared with that on the Isle of Purbeck. The Purbeck sequence follows. This classic sequence of clays and limestones has been described by Arkell (1933; 1947) and many other authors. Sedimentology has been discussed by Townson (1975), West (1975), Bosence (1987) and others. Note that there are correlation problems and arguments referred to in the section on Zones of the Portland Group, below.

Two alternative schemes for the terminology of the Portland and Purbeck successions are given here. Townson (1975) introduced a largely new terminology. However, it has not been widely used and the traditional scheme of Arkell, shown on the left is still in more common use (diagram after Bosence, 1987, from Townson, 1975). See Wimbledon (1986) for some discussion of this, and note also that some correlation problems which affect this are discussed in the section on zones, below.

Cliff Section - St. Aldhelm's Head to Durlston Head

LOCATION:

Upper Ledge, the Old Quarry of Dancing Ledge

Here are some views of parts of the abandoned Dancing Ledge Quarry. Some are from the coast path above, walking from the east. Others show parts of the upper and lower ledges

Notice in the central image the situation of the quarry at a small valley. The photographs show the two main levels at the quarry, a broad ledge near sea-level composed of a gently southeast dipping unit of the Portland Cherty Series, which will be discussed later, and and upper, intensively quarried ledge of Portland Freestone, seen here. This upper ledge or upper part of Dancing Ledge is almost entirely artificial and is the result of the large volume of quarrying, much of it to create Ramsgate sea and harbour wall ( Bruce, 1989). Some rubble is left but most of the stone has been removed, and there are no large stacks of waste stone as is common on the Isle of Portland.

Apart from the extensive open-cast quarrying there are also some galleries in the Under Freestone near the path down to the ledge.What were formerly quite large openings in this northwestern embayment of the quarry have been partly closed in leaving just the barred openings for bats which you can see as square black apertures. The cliff edge above has received a coating of some some black netting, presumably to reduce danger from falling rocks.

STRATIGRAPHY:

Upper Ledge - Portland Freestone Succession

The succession of Portland Freestone here is similar to that of Seacombe and Worth Quarry. The galleries are in the Under Freestone and Under Picking Cap. The House Cap is shelly and lies above the level of the galleries. The Chert Vein, Bed S, (with the Listy Bed) is easily seen. Above that is the Pond Freestone, not of easy access here and then comes the Titanites Bed which is shelly. The top of the Portland Freestone succession is formed by the white and splintery Shrimp Bed. Thin bedded clays and limestone of the basal Purbeck Formation complete the sequence in the cliffs. These Purbeck strata are most thickly developed at the eastern end of the cliff above the upper ledge. They are not easily accessible here but there are fallen blocks of stromatolitic (thrombolitic) limestone in the quarry debris.

Here is a rather poor impression of a Titanites ammonite, in a block lying loose in the western extension of the upper quarry. It may be from the Titanites Bed. This giant ammonite is of Perisphinctid type and it is surprising that such large cephalopods apparently lived in the relatively shallow waters of the Portland Stone sea. A good place to see better examples of Portland ammonites is at the Portland Heights Hotel, Isle of Portland .

LOCATION:

Upper Ledge - Back Cliffs with Basal Purbecks

The basal Purbeck limestone sequence can be seen in the uppermost cliffs of Dancing Ledge. The sequence is not directly accessible. It seem to be similar to that at the cliff tops in the Anvil Point to Blackers Hole coast. Just one bed of lenticular thrombolites is present. This is typical of the slightly deeper-water, lagoonal facies of this area (i.e. a place more offshore in the Purbeck lagoon than at the near-shore, Fossil Forest, Lulworth Cove). There is more than one thrombolite bed in the sequences at Lulworth Cove and the Isle of Portland.

The Purbeck (Soft Cockle) evaporite sequence that lies above these basal beds is not seen, except in small part at Green Point. It is probably broadly similar to the gypsum-anhydrite sequence at Swanworth (Worth) Quarry. The evaporites and associated shales form a barrier to downward movement of water and are partly responsible for the water-fall of Green Point.

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LOCATION:

Upper Ledge - Small Cave, of Karstic Origin

At the back (north side) of the upper quarried ledge of Dancing Ledge is this small natural cave. It is situated in an interesting place. It is now largely filled with rubble, but at one time was clear to about 1.5 m (in the 1950s). It is vertical and roughly circular in cross-section. Consider the origin of this and look at the signs of traverine around and above it. (The scale is Ian West in September, 1999).

LOCATIONS:

Upper Ledge - Rock Samphire

Shown for general natural history interest is this rock samphire, Crithmum maritimum, above a sea cave at the extreme western end of the Dancing Ledge - upper ledge. It is very common on these cliffs and is shown here in September (1999). It is a greyish hairless perennial with fleshy lobes and yellow flowers.

LOCATION:

Upper Ledge - The Stone Quarrying

The quarrying of the upper ledge, the main part of Dancing Ledge was partly opencast and partly in horizontal mines or galleries. Some of these near the far western end are almost closed now by fallen debris. Those in the northern re-entrant have been artificially blocked in recent years and have a grill for the entry and exit of bats. Years ago all these galleries were open and accessible to humans and I often used to go in them and look at the bivalves in the roof. Presumably bats are exempt from modern health and safety regulations.

The quarrying on the cliffs at Dancing Ledge and other nearby coastal quarries was only possible because back in the 19th century it was economical to transport the stone by sea. Later, when it became much more common to transport stone by road, it was still not feasible to move the heavy stone up the hills of this coast, either using the old system of by horses or later by motorised road transport (Benfield, 1948). Quarrying then only continued at places where there was reasonable road access. Neither Dancing Ledge Quarry or Hedbury Quarry had this.

According to Stanier (1996) Dancing Ledge Quarry was worked in the open by James Webber and two or three men, but activity was at a standstill in 1893. The quarrying of the Portland Stone here in the cliffs was never easy. It seems to have been more difficult in some respects than the quarrying of Purbeck Stone, where relatively thin individual beds have shale or marl between. In addition there was a great overburden of stone that was then regarded as useless. As far as possible this had to be removed but to some extent adits or "caves" were cut into the wall of Portland Freestone. At Dancing Ledge most of these are now inaccessible and some have been closed off with rectangular grills and are preserved for the use of bats.

Very primitive cranes were used in the 19th century for lowering limestone blocks from the main quarry working floor to the lower ledge. The above illustration shows the type of simple crane, operated by a ships-wheel type of winch. These must have been difficult and dangerous to use. In the photograph below a well-known quarry owner of this region, Trev Haysom explains the process.

Trev Haysom, the Marbler, points out how the stone was lowered and shows the relics of a crane-place. Just here we are above the western end of the Lower Ledge. This is is the site of the derrick shown in the 1909 photograph below.

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The Dancing Ledge cliff quarry (and the Hedbury Cliff Quarry) has no road access and so stone was lowered into barges from wooden derricks. These cranes seem to have been situated above large caves or recesses so that the barges could approach in safety. See: Stanier (1996) and Legg (2006), pp. 134-135 for more photographs and information. In 1865 only relatively small block were being lowered at Hedbury Quarry. In 1909 the typical large rectangular stone blocks, of the type still common on the Isle of Portland, were being lower. Blocks numbered 250 and 251 can be seen, so it was large consignment progressively being exported in 1909.

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LOCATION:

Lower Ledge and Cherty Series - General

If it is comfortably within your personal agility limits, you can proceed further down to the Prickle Bed ledge near sea-level. In the past this was usually done by most visitors, including children, and used to require nothing but a short scramble down an easy, rather step-like, rock face. However, recent sea erosion has made it steeper and rather more difficult. Do not descend if you think that you might have any difficulty climbing back up again. You can, in fact, see most features from the quarry ledge, the higher ledge.

Once the blocks of stone were lowered from the working ledge they had to be transported to boats tied up against the seaward side of the lower ledge. The photograph above shows rutways described by Stanier (1996). He explained that they were purposely cut as routes for horn carts with curved shafts that were pulled by workers to move stone from the sites of the top cranes to the loading crane for the waiting boat.

In photographs shown here, the two main levels of Dancing Ledge can be seen. The lower ledge can be reached by carefully scrambling down some rock to the east, that is to the right of the cave in the centre of the picture. However, undercutting by the sea has now steepened the cliff (and produced a little overhang) and this is not as easy as it once was. The lower ledge has a very gentle slope controlled by the gentle dip towards the east.

Lower Ledge - the Bathing Pool with the James Bond Connection.

Thomas Pellat, the headmaster of Durnford Preparatory School at Langton Matravers had the bathing pool blasted out of the rock. See Wikipedia - Durnford School. This records that "Strip and swim" was the morning ritual for the boys who had to jump into the pool at Dancing Ledge from 1898 (as supervised by headmaster Thomas Pellatt). Ian Fleming who wrote the James Bond novels attended this tough preparatory school and swam in the Dancing Ledge Bathing Pool. Incidently, the name Bond is that of the owners of the great estate in the Isle of Purbeck not far from here.

These photographs are of the eastern part of the lower ledge, reached by an easy scramble from the main quarried ledge above. The swimming pool in the lower ledge was made for use of the pupils and staff of Durnford Preparatory School on the orders of the Headmaster who once owned this land.