Geography of Dorset Channel. It stretches from Lyme Regis in the west to Highcliffe in the east. The main settlements on the coastline are, from west to east, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Swanage, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, although the majority of the coastline is not covered by urban development. The Dorset coastline contains a great variety of coastal landforms, including cliffs, bays, headlands, a large natural harbour and a barrier beach. Almost the entire length of the Dorset coast forms the major part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, designated in 2001. This coast is notable for the variety in its geological structure
Prawle Point and Start Point Site of Special Scientific Interest East Prawle, West Weare (Portland, Dorset), and Thursley Common (Surrey). Prawle is also an important site for the Cirl bunting, and supports a rich lichen assemblage. Prawle Point and Start Point Site of Special Scientific Interest The Prawle Point and Start Point Site of Special Scientific Interest ( to ) is a 341.2 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in southern Devon, notified in 1976. It includes the coastal headlands of Prawle Point and Start Point. The soft cliffs between Prawle Point and Start Point are recognised as being one of the most important sites for solitary