5 days in Dorset – Oct 2025

Portland Bill Lighthouse, standing sentinel on the southernmost tip of Portland Isle in Dorset, provides photographers with a dramatic and iconic subject. Its striking red and white stripes against the often turbulent sea and sky create powerful compositions, particularly during stormy weather or at sunrise and sunset. The rugged, rocky coastline surrounding the lighthouse offers diverse perspectives, from wide-angle shots capturing its isolated grandeur to close-ups highlighting the texture of the weathered rocks and the lighthouse's imposing structure. Photographers can capture the powerful waves crashing against the shore, or the serene beauty of the lighthouse illuminated at night, making it a versatile location for both landscape and architectural photography.

Pulpit Rock, a striking sea stack at Portland Bill, offers photographers a dramatic and dynamic subject. Its jagged, weathered form, isolated from the mainland, provides a compelling focal point against the backdrop of the churning sea and expansive sky. The rock's unique shape lends itself to diverse compositions, from wide-angle landscapes emphasising its isolation to close-ups capturing its intricate textures and the power of the waves crashing against it. Photographers can capture stunning images during sunrise and sunset, when the golden light bathes the rock in warm hues, or during stormy weather, when the powerful waves create dramatic sprays and add a sense of raw energy to the scene.

A remarkable 18-mile long shingle barrier, Chesil Beach is a vast expanse of pebbles graded in size from west to east. The beach's dramatic form, separating the Fleet Lagoon from the open sea, offers striking contrasts. The sheer scale of Chesil Beach, combined with its ever-changing light and atmospheric conditions, provides endless opportunities for capturing both grand landscapes and intimate details. It’s particularly lovely to photograph from the cliffs at the start of Portland Isle, which offer a panoramic view across Weymouth and Chesil combined.

Saint Catherine's Abbey, or what remains of it at Abbotsbury, offers a beautifully atmospheric and historically rich subject. The ruins, perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the Dorset coastline, create a sense of tranquil isolation. The weathered stone, framed by the surrounding fields and sky, provides a canvas for dramatic lighting. The simple, yet striking, outline of the chapel against the backdrop of Chesil Beach lends itself to both wide landscape shots and more intimate detail work.

Durdle Door is a beautiful limestone arch at the end of a long pebble beach. Its unique shape lends itself to diverse compositions, from wide-angle landscapes capturing its grandeur to intimate close-ups highlighting its texture. Golden hour light bathes the arch in warm hues, creating stunning silhouettes and highlighting the surrounding coastal scenery. While popular, the location provides ample opportunities for striking photographs, with varying perspectives from the clifftops and beach, making it a must-capture for landscape photographers.

Nestled beside Durdle Door, Man O' War Bay offers a serene yet dramatic alternative. Its sheltered cove, dotted with striking limestone stacks and wave-worn rocks, creates a captivating scene, particularly during low tide when the textures and formations are fully revealed. The bay's tranquil waters reflect the sky, providing opportunities for stunning mirror-like compositions, especially at sunrise and sunset. The surrounding cliffs offer elevated perspectives, while closer shots from the beach reveal the intricate details of the weathered rocks, making it a perfect location for both wide landscapes and intimate detail shots.

One of my favourite places on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, Kimmeridge Bay offers photographers a unique blend of geological wonder and stunning coastal scenery. Its iconic flat, rocky ledges, known as the Kimmeridge Ledges, create mesmerising patterns and reflections, especially at low tide and during golden hour. The bay's dark, fossil-rich shale cliffs and the imposing Clavell Tower provide dramatic backdrops, while the calm, shallow waters are ideal for capturing long exposures and mirror-like reflections. The area is renowned for its diverse marine life and fossil hunting, offering opportunities for macro and nature photography alongside the breathtaking landscapes.

A ruin perched atop a hill near Swanage, Corfe Castle provides photographers with a captivating subject steeped in history. Its weathered stone walls and fragmented towers, silhouetted against the sky or bathed in golden light, offer dramatic compositions. The surrounding Purbeck landscape, with its rolling hills and patchwork fields, adds depth and context to the castle's imposing presence. Photographers can capture wide-angle views showcasing its strategic position, or focus on the intricate details of its stonework and architectural features. Sunrise and sunset offer particularly stunning lighting, while misty mornings create an ethereal atmosphere, making Corfe Castle a versatile and rewarding location for landscape and architectural photography.

Nestled along Dorset's rugged coastline, Seacombe Bay offers photographers a secluded and dramatic coastline. The bay's layered rock formations, often revealing fascinating geological details, are particularly photogenic during low tide and golden hour, when the light accentuates their textures. The challenging terrain and powerful waves offer opportunities for capturing dynamic seascapes, while the relative isolation allows for undisturbed exploration and intimate shots of the natural beauty.

The Banjo Pier, jutting out into Swanage bay, offers photographers a charming and unique perspective of this Dorset seaside town. Its distinctive curved shape, reminiscent of a banjo, provides excellent compositional lines leading the eye towards the open sea or back towards the town's picturesque coastline. The pier is particularly photogenic during sunrise as it points east. Long exposures can capture the movement of the sea and the pier's sturdy structure, while wide-angle shots highlight its architectural form against the backdrop of the bay.

Next to the Banjo Pier, the groynes and sandy beach also make great photos at sunrise.

The iconic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, jutting out from the Dorset coastline, provide a stunning and dynamic subject. Their stark white forms against the blue sea and sky create striking contrasts, particularly during sunrise when the golden light bathes them in warm hues. The surrounding cliffs and coastline offer diverse perspectives, from wide-angle landscapes capturing their grandeur to close-ups highlighting their weathered textures. This is best shot at sunrise.

The Knowlton Church ruins, nestled within a prehistoric earthwork in Dorset, offer photographers a uniquely atmospheric and evocative subject. The skeletal remains of the medieval church, standing stark against the sky, create a sense of timelessness and mystery. The circular earthwork surrounding the ruins adds a compelling compositional element, framing the church and providing a sense of historical depth. Photographers can capture dramatic silhouettes at sunrise and sunset, or utilize the soft, diffused light of overcast days to highlight the intricate stonework and the peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. The juxtaposition of the ancient earthwork with the church ruins provides a rich tapestry of textures and historical layers, making Knowlton Church a captivating location for landscape and architectural photography.

A unique 17th-century brick structure rising from the Dorset countryside, Horton Tower offers a distinctive and intriguing subject. Its tall, slender form, often framed by rolling fields and expansive skies, creates compelling compositions. The tower's intricate brickwork and the subtle variations in its colour provide rich textures. Photographers can capture wide-angle views showcasing its isolated grandeur, or use telephoto lenses to focus on the architectural details and the surrounding landscape. The tower's unusual design and the peaceful, rural setting make it a rewarding location for landscape and architectural photography, offering opportunities for both dramatic and serene images.

The tree-lined avenue at Moor Crichel  offers a classic and picturesque subject, evoking a sense of timeless English countryside charm. The symmetrical rows of mature trees, stretching into the distance, create strong leading lines and a natural frame, perfect for capturing depth and perspective. The play of light and shadow through the canopy, particularly during golden hour, adds a magical quality to the scene. Misty mornings create an ethereal atmosphere, while autumn foliage transforms the avenue into a vibrant tapestry of colours.