Hive Beach And West Bay - The Magic Of The Place

There is something magical about the cliffs and beaches at Hive Beach and West Bay. It can transform itself in so many different ways. The cliff faces, the beaches and the sea all change with the seasons, the weather and the time of day. Sometimes deserted and a place for quiet reflection and other times buzzing with energy from the many people sharing the beauty of the place.

It's a place to return to again and again to experience the place all through all of the seasons, at different times of the day, from sunrise to sunset and the moments in between.

I hope that if you share my love of this place you will enjoy the images and that they help to bring back memories of times spent enjoying this magical place.

Please explore my gallery below and if you feel inspired to re-create this feeling in your own hone, just click on your favourite image to link to my store.

East Cliff And Burton Cliff From West Bay Before Sunset

The colours of the cliffs just before sunset are spectacular the shadows enhance their magnificence even more.

On this particular evening, the sea was still and the waves were ripples creating something quite atmospheric and reflective as the sun started to go down.

Jurassic Coast Sunrise

There is something very special about being up before dawn and watching the sun rise.

It’s such a quiet time of the day and on the right morning, the colours of the sky before the sun peeps over the horizon are incredibly beautiful.

There is a feeling of stillness just before the sun rises when the air feels just a little bit cooler and the anticipation of the sun coming up over the horizon feels exciting.

It seems to appear and unfold in slow motion to start with but then all too quickly the magical moment is past and the new day begins.

Burton Cliff From Hive Beach

The first time I visited Hive Beach was just over ten years ago when I was staying overnight in Burton Bradstock while I was working in Dorset. I had arrived in the evening and hadn’t had the chance to explore, but had time for a walk with my dog before heading off for work the following morning.

I set off on this cold winter morning towards the sea. As I walked down the cliff path, the view of the beach and the cliffs opened up in front of me and as I walked down on to the beach, the view of the cliffs took my breath away. On that morning there was nobody there except for us.

The waves seemed huge and the cliffs enormous as if everything was heightened and exaggerated. It took me a while to catch my breath and take it all in and that feeling has stayed with me ever since.

I hope that the images I have created can help to create or re-ignite that feeling of awe and wonder of the power of nature and the magic of this place.

Burton Beach Towards Portland

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site sounds impressive and it really is. The views are spectacular, the beaches are beautiful and the history held inside the rocks feels unfathomable.

Somehow you get a sense of its history each time you stand on the cliffs and shores.

Finding a fossil and being reminded of the ancient creatures captured in the rocks always feels exciting and the ever-changing face of the cliffs is a reminder of the power of nature in shaping the landscape.

East Cliff From West Bay

Looking back at these cliffs over the years is a reminder that this coast is ever-changing: slipping, sliding, falling, often quite dramatically; creating new cliff faces, revealing new and hidden nooks and crannies and creating new landscapes and habitats where new species of plants and animal move in and create a new home. Ever changing but always beautiful.

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alison@feelwildandfree.com