White Nothe

White Nothe is a chalk headland on the Dorset coast near Weymouth. It stands at the eastern end of Ringstead Bay, where the English Channel meets the cliffs. The white cliffs show layers of rock from ancient times. Landslides long ago shaped the slopes below. These unstable slopes form a quiet wildlife area that few people visit. The place has links to the book Moonfleet by J. Meade Falkner. A zigzag path up the cliff is thought to be a smuggler’s route from the story. At the top, the cliff juts out in a nose shape, giving the headland its name. The National Trust owns part of the land here. From the summit, Bat’s Head can be seen to the east. Portland Island appears across the water to the southwest. A World War II pillbox sits on the summit, built in 1940–41 for defence. It has an observation post on top for spotting aircraft. Nearby are old coastguard cottages in a row. The Burning Cliff lies northwest, where a fire smouldered in shale for years in the 19th century. Walkers can follow clifftop paths east to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. The site has also inspired artists over time.