Use the interactive map to explore the Reserve.
Access and Seasonal Restrictions
Chesil Bank, from the Portland Bound Stone to beyond the Abbotsbury Beach car park, and the Fleet Lagoon and its shores up to mean high water, are owned by Ilchester Estates.
Summer Closure
Chesil is closed between 1st May and 31st August between the Tank Teeth at Abbotsbury and the Portland Boundary Stone.
The shingle vegetation and the Fleet foreshore are habitats of high importance. This restriction protects ground-nesting birds, sensitive vegetation, and lichen-rich pebbles.
Winter Closure
Between 1st September and 30th April, access is permitted between the Tank Teeth at Abbotsbury and Portland Boundary Stone, but only on the seaward flank of the beach.
Walking on the outer flank of Chesil, below the crest, prevents disturbance to the large populations of water birds, including Brent Geese and Wigeon, which migrate to the Fleet to join the swans for the winter. It is also important that the beach’s vegetated areas remain undisturbed in the winter, too.
West Fleet
There is no public access to the West Fleet at any time of year, except for authorised watercraft. The Fleet here is non-tidal waters and can be very shallow in places with soft sediments.
East Fleet
Access all year round. May be used by shallow-drafted craft, but it has long been accepted that this area is not suitable for motorised craft. Please see specific activities for more details. The Fleet here can be very shallow in places with soft sediments.
Ferrybridge and the Narrows
Access all year round. Access for most watercraft. Please see specific activities for more details. There is a definitive channel from the Harbour to the Narrows; elsewhere, the Fleet can be very shallow.
RSPB Little Tern Colony
Seasonal closure between 1st April – 31st August, to protect nesting Little Tern. During this period, pedestrian access is prohibited, and watercraft may not land within the restricted area. Access beyond the colony is possible by walking along the seaward side of the beach, below the crest.
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