Show/hide picture credits
Dolphins - West Country Publications
Near Thatcher's Rock - TCCT
White Rock Rose - TCCT
Grassland wild flowers - TCCT
On the southern side of Hope’s Nose, and also on the nearby Thatcher Rock, raised beaches can be seen about 6m above present day sea levels. These are very rich in fossil marine molluscs, with 17 species present at Hope’s Nose, and no fewer than 43 species at Thatcher Rock. These beaches tell a story about past sea-level change and date from a warm interglacial period in the Ice Age when the seas were much higher than today.
A large fold can also be seen in the limestone at Hope’s Nose and is the result of earth movement under great pressure caused by the ‘tectonic plate collision’.
The coastline from Hope’s Nose north to Wall's Hill well demonstrates the connection between geology and wildlife, and is of national importance for its limestone woodlands and species-rich grassland.
Facilities: Parking can be made at a number of pay and display areas along the coastal section, although no charge is made above Hope’s Nose
Access
Foot: The South West Coast path runs throughout the site.
Train and Bus: There are regular services from Exeter to Torquay.
Road: Follow the A380 from Exeter to Torquay. From Torquay Harbour follow
Meadfoot Sea Rd to Ilsham Marine Drive.
Boat: One of the best ways to view the geology of this coastline is by boat and cruises
are available along this coast from Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Harbour.
Hope’s Nose to Wall's Hill
Discover: Lowland calcareous grassland with many rare and local
plants and dramatic maritime cliffs of geological importance.
Local BAP wildlife to spot: White rock rose.
Nearest town: Torquay.
OS grid reference: SX 932654 – SX 947635
Status: SSSI, GCR sites 420, 426, 1752
Management: Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.
This impressive stretch of coastline can be easily accessed from Torquay
and demonstrates some important geological features. The main rock here is Devonian age limestone and this can be seen in some excellent exposures. Some of these display abundant collections of fossil animals, including well preserved corals evidence of times when Torbay was located south of the equator and bathed in shallow tropical seas. Other notable features of the site, particularly on the eastern side of Hope’s Nose, are a number of distinct mineral-rich veins. It is the only known location in Britain for the assemblage of minerals present, including native gold and rarities such as palladium (a metallic element that resembles platinum).
