Chesil Beach (also known as Chesil Bank) in Dorset, England, is one of three major shingle beach structures in Britain. Behind the beach is the Fleet, a shallow tidal lagoon. The beach runs for a length of 29 kilometres (18 mi) from West Bay to the Isle of Portland and in places is up to 15 metres (50 ft) high and 200 metres (660 ft) wide. It is almost entirely made of stone shingle, and the typical size of stones reduces along the length of the beach. The beach is often identified as a tombolo, although research has revealed that it is in fact a barrier beach. Chesil Beach and the Fleet are part of the Jurassic Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Dorset National Landscape (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and have several conservation designations. Simon Jenkins rates the view of Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury along the coast to Portland Bill as one of the top ten in England. The name Chesil is derived from chessil (Old English ceosel or cisel), meaning "gravel" or "shingle". The beach curves sharply at the eastern end, near the village of Chiswell, and forms Chesil Cove against the cliffs of the Isle of Portland, and this protects the low-lying village from flooding. It has been the scene of many shipwrecks and was named "Dead Man's Bay" by Thomas Hardy. The beach provides shelter from the prevailing winds and waves for the town of Weymouth, Dorset, and the village of Chiswell on Portland.
