50°44′30″N 1°21′21″W / 50.7416°N 1.3557°W
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Location | Isle of Wight |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SZ455935 |
| Interest | Biological and Geological |
| Area | 86.2 hectare |
| Notification | 1966 |
| Location map | Natural England |
Thorness Bay is an 86.2-hectare (213-acre) Site of special scientific interest which is located on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, England, in the western arm of the Solent. The site was notified in 1966 for both its biological and geological features. The bay stretches about 3 km from Salt Mead Ledge in the west to Gurnard Head Nr. Gurnard Bay to the east.
The sea bed is a mixture of mud and sand.
A small unnamed brook enters the sea in the middle of the bay after passing through a marsh.
Little Thorness Farm, a beef farm near the bay has 18 acres (73,000 m2) of protected marshland under stewardship and is a SSSI because it is home to wildlife not found in other areas.
Holiday Park
Thorness Bay also has a holiday park run by Parkdean Resorts. It has a direct footpath leading straight to the beach.
References