Compton beach on the Isle of Wight provides a wonderful windswept backdrop of Jurassic cliffs, perfect for sea glass and fossil hunters. Located very close to Freshwater Bay, Compton Bay is positioned on the South side of the Isle of Wight looking out across the English Channel. Popular with surfers, the beaches on this side of the Island are both blustery and wild. They remind me of the stretch of California coastline where Big Sur stretches out below mountain side and above cliffs.
This weekend, my son and took a blustery and windswept walk from the National Trust car park down to Compton beach at low tide. We were amongst other visitors enjoying a wild and windy walk after Sunday lunch.
Can you find Sea Glass on Compton Beach
Yes, you can. During our short walk, we found many pieces of green sea glass amongst the pebbles and sand. Towards the end of our walk, my son Will even found a large piece of Black sea glass.
Is black Sea Glass really black?
Black sea glass is rarely truly black. Typically, very old dark green sea glass appears as black, but in the light, the true colour can be seen. In this instance, our large piece of very old sea glass appears as a dark olive black colour.
Fossil hunting on Compton
For anyone visiting the Isle of Wight, the Military Road along the south side of the Island provides a great stretch of scenic coastline to explore. The sedimentary rocks produce many fossils, often exposed following storms. Care must be taken when walking below the Jurassic cliffs due to regular land slides on this side of the Island.
If you're visiting the Isle of Wight, we suggest a visit to Compton Beach, and hope you discover a little sea glass or the occasional fossil along the way.
