Portland Stone in the Swanage area
Abandoned cliff-top quarries in the Portland Freestone Member of the Portland Limestone Formation in the Isle of Purbeck.
These limestones are shelly bioclastic grainstones, different to the oolitic limestones of the same age on the Isle of Portland and from Ringstead Bay to Gad Cliff. Portland Stone from the Isle of Purbeck is designated “Purbeck-Portland” (also known as “cliff stone”), to distinguish from “Portland-Portland”.
These limestones are shelly bioclastic grainstones, different to the oolitic limestones of the same age on the Isle of Portland and from Ringstead Bay to Gad Cliff. Portland Stone from the Isle of Purbeck is designated “Purbeck-Portland” (also known as “cliff stone”), to distinguish from “Portland-Portland”.