5 Of The Best Dorset Photography Locations

Dorset, is home of the iconic Jurassic Coast and boasting some of the most beautiful countryside and picturesque coastlines England has to offer.

Dorset has long attracted landscape photographers and tourists alike who are in search of exploring, enjoying, and capturing the coves, countryside, and cliffs.

Packed with Jurassic Coast photography locations and beautiful vistas, Dorset is a must-see location for photographers and nature lovers.

We spent a long weekend in Dorset capturing as many of the photography spots as we could manage but a few days is just not long enough to get your teeth into the area and immerse yourself in the essence of Dorset.

If you are planning a trip to this stunning coast then be sure to add these 5 beautiful Dorset Photo spots to your itinerary for when you head off exploring Dorset!

1. Lulworth Cove and Stairhole

Lulworth Cove in Dorset is a stunning and secluded spot on the Jurassic coast famed for its unique landforms, including the beautiful Stair Hole.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Lulworth Cove is frequented by thousands of visitors every year who come to admire the beautiful crystal-clear water, explore the rock pools and hike the Jurassic Coast.

And in our opinion is one of the best Dorset photography locations!

We decided to arrive at Lulworth Cove for sunrise, which meant an eye-stinging wake-up time of 4.15 am on a Saturday, but as usual, it was worth it.

There is something about watching the sunrise and just how perfectly peaceful it is.

This morning was no different, with no one else around except a beautiful bonny brown deer bouncing off into the trees.

The village of Lulworth is small and quaint but offers everything you would expect from an English seaside tourist spot. 

You can also venture across to its equally attractive neighbour, Durdle Door.

But be warned, the walk is a steep climb and whilst not too long, it certainly tested our fitness levels.

And we are not ashamed to say, we had to stop to catch our breath (whilst pretending to be admiring the views) a few times.

All in all, you can reach Durdle Door (another one of the best landscape photography locations in Dorset) within 30 minutes.

How to get to Lulworth Cove

• Lulworth Cove is easily accessible by car and has plenty of parking spaces. 

• Please be aware that the car park does get full early in the day during peak season,. But if you visit for sunrise, the chances are you will have plenty of room.

• Charges are £12.40 for four hours of car parking, up to £20 for a whole day.

Visitor Information about Lulworth Cove

• There are toilets available by the car park as well as toilets further up the path. 

• Lulworth Cove in Dorset is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week all year around. The visitor centre 10-5pm in the summer and 10-4pm in winter.

• Accessing the beach is via a comprehensive and easily travelled path making Lulworth Cove suitable for anyone with mobility issues. However, be aware that there is no matting on the beach for wheelchair users. 

• Dogs are allowed on the beach all year around so long as you stick to the left of the slipway– yay for dogs! 

• There is an Ice Cream shop extremely close to the car park with a vast selection of ice creams as well as a small café, a visitors’ centre, and a pub within a couple of minutes’ walk. 

2. Durdle Door

Durdle Door in Dorset is the attractive neighbour of Lulworth Cove and one of Dorset’s most iconic and photographed locations!

It is a highly famous and popular beauty spot attracting thousands of visitors each year, and we found it to be far busier than its smaller counterpart, Lulworth Cove. 

If you only have one day to explore Dorset’s beautiful Jurassic Coast, then we highly recommend that you see Durdle Door!

Just a 5-minute drive from Lulworth Cove or a 30-minute walk, you can easily spend time exploring both in a day.

The coastal footpath between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove is the busiest in the southwest and attracts more than 200,000 walkers every year.

However, if you arrive early in the day as we did, you will find yourself joined by just a few others and get to enjoy the quiet before “the storm”. 

Durdle Door stands 200 feet above sea level and is a natural arch formed from a layer of hard limestone standing and is a sight to behold.

It is one of the most famous and frequented Dorset photography locations for both tourists and landscape photographers due to its unique arch sitting on a golden beach.

So many photographers and tourists opt to visit Cornwall in the UK for photography instead of Dorset.

But we would argue that Dorset really does have it all as far as dramatic landscapes are concerned and so many beauty spots that are so close to one another!

I sat at the side of the cliff watching the scenes unfold, and the people dotted below me for over an hour whilst Steffan was taking photographs and felt completely immersed in the views, sounds and the gentle wind blowing. 

How to get to Durdle Door

• Durdle Door is easily accessible by car and has plenty of parking spaces.

• Car park charges are £12.40 for four hours of car parking, up to £20 for a whole day. If you want to see both Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove and fancy a bit of exercise, then we recommend parking in one and walking to the other to save on costs. 

Visitor Information about Durdle Door

• Durdle Door car park opening times are 8am – 9pm, Mar – Oct and 8am – 5pm, Nov to Feb.

• From the car park it is a 15 minute walk to the view point and then a further 140 steps down to the beach.

• Accessibility is not easy, so walking shoes or boots are recommended (bring flipflops in your bag!). For anyone visiting with a wheelchair or mobility issues, the journey down to the beach is unsuitable given the steep path and 140 steps. But as mentioned above, Lulworth Cove offers a very easily accessible approach to the beach. 

• There are toilets available by the car park, but if nature calls when you are on the beach, you will need to climb back up and back down again as there are no toilets on the beach.

• Dogs are allowed on the beach at Durdle Door all year round.

• There are many large grassy areas close to the car park where visitors sat on blankets with delightful picnics spread out between them. They could enjoy the views from here without the leg-shaking walk down to the beach. So it’s something worth considering if you want to see the arch, but don’t want the steep walk.

• A restaurant in the car park also serves takeaway pizzas, ice creams and sandwiches if you don’t want to bring your packed lunch. For something a little more substantial you can check out the restaurant next door at the holiday park.  

3. Old Harry Rock

Old Harry Rocks in Dorset could be described as Durdle Doors equal, in both fame and beauty in the photography and tourist world, attracting many visitors and photographers each year who come to cast their gaze on the majestic stacks. 

Standing dramatically not far from the cliffs of the Jurassic coast, Old Harry Rocks are three chalk formations created over 35 million years and that were once part of a ridge made of chalk that connected to The Needles on the Isle of Wight. 

They are one of the most stunning landscape photography locations in Dorset and one of our favourite ventures when visiting the area.

We were lucky to have a particularly cloudy day when photographing and visiting Old Harry Rock making for quite a dramatic scene!

Despite the crowds, the view was nothing short of spectacular and easy to see why it’s one of the most unique and best Dorset photography locations.

We sat there for some time, watching the paddle boarders float by below and soaking it all in. 

There are so many opportunities for photography here from wildflowers to coastal views and little boats bobbing in the ocean.

Old Harry Rocks is one of our favourite Dorset photo spots.

How to get to Old Harry Rock

• Old Harry Rock is easily accessible by car, and parking is available at the National Trust’s Studland / South Beach Car Park or one of the car parks in Swanage. If you are a member of the National Trust, you can scan your card for free parking. If not, parking charges are £3 for two hours or £5 for the day.

• The car park is vast, we arrived a little later in the day, and there was plenty of space in the overflow car park. 

• The walk to Old Harry Rock itself is about 30 minutes from Studlands Car Park along a very well travelled path with lots of grassy areas. Its impossible to get lost and you will be treated to stunning views the whole way along the spectacular Jurassic Coast. 

Visitor Information about Old Harry Rock

• If you park in Studlands Car Park, you’ll find public toilets just a few minutes’ walk away which are free to use. Head down the hill, past the pub, and you’ll see them on the left-hand side.

• Accessibility is easy as the path to Old Harry Rock is flat and made up of grass and chalk. So it should not pose too many issues for anyone with mobility issues. 

• When you reach Old Harry Rock or the viewpoint, there is a big grass area where people sat enjoying picnics and drinks whilst soaking in the views. Bring some snacks and a drink if you fancy chilling her for a while.

• There is a pub just a 2-minute walk from the car park with gorgeous views over the bay and Old Harry Rock. A great stop if you want to enjoy lunch in the sunshine before heading out to explore further afield.

• If you wish to view Old Harry Rock from the sea, you can book a Jurassic Coast cruise with Swanage Pier Trust, or if you are feeling more adventurous, hire a kayak or paddleboard to get even closer.

4. Portland Bill Lighthouse

Now, if you have read much of our blog, you will have noticed we always seem to find ourselves at the nearest Lighthouse.

There is just something about lighthouses that we love—the history, the grandeur, the coastline, the mystery. 

We have been lucky enough to see some stunning lighthouses in the UK including Penmon Lighthouse and its gorgeous landscapes in North Wales and the dramatic Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye!

Portland Bill is still up there as one of our favourites.

Portland Bill Lighthouse, a grade II listed building over 140 years old, did not fail to deliver, and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening here shooting for a clothing brand and exploring the rocks and seafront. 

Standing majestically on the isle of Portland and at the height of 135ft, its distinctive and traditional red and white tower has been shining its guiding light since 1906 and was built by Trinity House. 

It’s a lesser-known photography spot but a location worth adding to your Dorset photography locations itinerary and bucket list!

Portland Bill Lighthouse in Dorset opened its very own visitors centre in 2015, and whilst we did not get to head inside due to arriving too late in the day, you can book tours and explore inside the Lighthouse.

Inside, there are some fascinating interactive exhibits and historical artefacts to discover as well as breathtaking views as you climb up the 153 steps! 

The area around the Lighthouse is equally as beautiful with lots of rockeries and views out to sea and in our opinion one of the lesser-known and best Dorset photography locations to add to your bucket list.

The exciting rock formation, Pulpit Rock adjacent to the lighthouse, attracts plenty of attention to flocking visitors.

How to get to Portland Bill Lighthouse

• Portland Bill Lighthouse is located on the Southerly tip of the Isle of Portland, 1.2 miles south of the village of Easton and easily accessible by car, bus, or train. 

• There are several car parks near the Lighthouse, and the one closest has ample parking. 

• Parking charges are between £1.50 and £15 depending on how long you wish to stay.

Visitor Information about Portland Bill Lighthouse

• There are public toilets available next to the car park, which is easily accessible and a massive relief after being in the car for an hour!  

• Walking around Portland Bill lighthouse is free of charge but if you wish to go inside the lighthouse or check out the visitor centre charges apply. Costs for adults are £3 for the visitor centre and £9 for both the visitor centre and inside of the lighthouse. If you are keen to go inside, be sure to check out the opening hours before visiting as they vary throughout the year.

• The walk from the car park to the Lighthouse and visitor centre takes just a couple of minutes. So, even if you’re not feeling very energetic, it’s worth considering—unless you plan to tackle the 150+ steps inside!

• Accessibility is good as the path around the Lighthouse is flat if you don’t venture over the rockeries. So, you can easily enjoy the Lighthouse and the viewing points near the café and outbuildings if you are a wheelchair user or have mobility issues.

• Pulpit Rock is a short 5-minute walk from the Lighthouse and to the right facing the Lighthouse from the car park. If you are hoping to get a photograph of this unique formation without anyone in it, we suggest arriving very early to avoid the crowds.  

• If you fancy something to eat, there is a restaurant closer to the car park where you can sit outside on picnic benches and enjoy a light meal. There were also people sitting around having BBQs in the various rockeries. 

• If you plan to arrive at the Lighthouse in the late afternoon and hope to explore inside the Lighthouse, some online sources advise calling before arrival to confirm availability.

5. Weymouth Harbour

Weymouth in Dorset is one of the places that has carved a tiny spot in my heart. Despite only having visited twice, I fell in love with the place and have tried to convince Steffan to visit ever since.

However, our weekend in Dorset was the first time he cast his eyes on this little seaside town and whilst he only experienced it from the car, he instantly saw its picturesque charm.

While a little slower paced (which is what I love) than some of its counterparts, Weymouth has so much to offer from water sports to quaint English pubs through to fine dining and beautiful beaches. 

Reminiscent of some of the beaches we have visited around the coasts of North Wales and Snowdonia National Park with their grassy rolling hills and picturesque beaches and offering so much to do!

Suppose you are looking for daytime activities and do not succumb to the draw of the miles of sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.

In that case, you can explore some of the local attractions from the traditional amusement park and funfair to learning about the residents at Monkey World, where you can learn about monkeys that have been rehabilitated. There is so much to see and do for everyone! 

It’s hard to explain what makes Weymouth different to any other seaside town, and it just feels different. So we highly recommend you experience it for yourself and we promise you will not be disappointed! 

How to get to Weymouth

• Weymouth is easily accessible via car, bus or train and whilst we only visited briefly you could easily spend a day here, a few nights or even a week. It’s a stunning spot brimming with attractions and history. 

• There are several car parks and on-street parking opportunities in Weymouth, which you will pass as you drive around, and you can even book a spot online before visiting. 

Visitor Information for Weymouth

• Accessibility in Weymouth is exceptionally convenient, being a flat seaside town. 

• Due to the flat terrain bicycle riding is very popular and a great way to explore if you are feeling a little more active! 

• You will be spoilt for a choice of things to do in Weymouth, from exploring local shops, little cafes and restaurants to sitting in the historic harbour, soaking in the views or relaxing on the beach. 

As lovers of nature and beautiful views and constantly on the hunt for unique and epic landscape photography locations we feel that Dorset is the perfect place to spend some time capturing the scenery.

Not only does Dorset have so much to see and do for all ages but it has some of the most breath-taking scenery in England.

It may not be quite as popular with tourists as its Cornish counterpart or the epic highlands of Scotland but it packs a punch for such a small area and is brimming with beauty spots.

Overall we love Dorset and felt that a few days were not long enough so we will be heading back with our cameras in hand very soon!