2023 December Calendar

Durdle Door Durdle Door is perhaps one of the most famous landmarks in Dorset. It is a natural limestone arch near Lulworth. It is privately owned but open to the public. During summer holidays the area is exceedingly popular. To reach the beach there is a 15 minute walk down a steep path, followed by 143 steps down onto the beach. Caves can be seen, but due to cliff falls being common in the area it is unadvisable to enter… Read More »December Calendar Day 24 (12 Day: 11): Inspiration & Reveal

Bridport Bridport is a market town in the west of Dorset. West Bay, a small fishing harbour also known as Bridport Harbour, lies within the town’s boundary. During the reign of King Alfred, Bridport became one of the four most important settlements in Dorset. Unlike many of the old Dorset towns it didn’t increase much in popularity during the 19th century. Its popularity has grown in recent years. It is now known for its art, culture and media as well… Read More »December Calendar Day 23: Inspiration & Reveal

Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove is a World Heritage Site that attracts approximately 500,000 visitors every year. It is close to Durdle Door and is part of the Jurassic Coast. The cove has a pebble beach and clear blue waters, with a surrounding of beautiful countryside which makes it so popular. Due to its popularity, Lulworth Cove has had wooden steps and fences added to try to limit the damage to the landscape. There is a path across Hambury Tout to… Read More »December Calendar Day 22 (12 Day: 12): Inspiration & Reveal

Poole RNLI College Poole is the home of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution College. It is where volunteer crews from around the UK and Ireland go to train to become crew members. The RNLI is an essential service run entirely on donations. They work around the coast of the UK and Ireland and on some busy rivers and lochs. They will help anyone who requires it with no judgement, no matter how they came to be in that situation. They… Read More »December Calendar Day 21: Inspiration & Reveal

Swanage Swanage is located on the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. It is a small town, originally a fishing village, which became a significant quarrying port and resort in the Victorian era. It is still popular with tourists today thanks to its convenient location near landmarks such as the Jurassic Coast, Corfe Castle and Durlston Castle & Country Park. Swanage is popular for water sports and has a gently sloping sandy beach with good facilities including beach huts… Read More »December Calendar Day 20: Inspiration & Reveal

Maiden Castle Maiden Castle is located just southwest of Dorchester. It is one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe. Maiden Castle Farm, which is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and managed by the Hoskin Family, has the fortress located on its land. The farm is managed to encourage wildlife. In summer every year the farm opens its Dorset Sunflower Trail, from which they donate half their profits to charity. In 2023 the main charity… Read More »December Calendar Day 19: Inspiration & Reveal

Holt Heath Holt Heath is one of Dorset’s largest remaining areas of lowland heathland, managed by the National Trust. It is four miles north of Wimborne Minsters. Historically the heath was used to graze livestock owned by local people. The grazing maintained the habitat. When it ceased in around 1950 the habitat began to deteriorate, however it is now managed to prevent further deterioration. Cattle have recently been reintroduced to help manage the land. Heaths have provided a large amount… Read More »December Calendar Day 18: Inspiration & Reveal

Brownsea Island I know this isn’t the best picture of a red squirrel, but I wanted to use one I took myself rather than a stock photo. Brownsea Island is the largest of a collection of islands in Poole Harbour. It is owned by the National Trust, with a large section managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. It is known as the location where the Scout movement was formed, as well as one of the few places in England where… Read More »December Calendar Day 17 (12 Day: 10): Inspiration & Reveal

Wareham Forest Wareham Forest is managed by Forestry England and is managed for timber, conservation and recreation. The 1500 Hectare area is situated between Dorchester and Poole and has a variety of landscapes including heathland and plantations of conifers. The forest is one of the only places in the UK where all six species of British reptile live. It also contains 9 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and a third of the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for… Read More »December Calendar Day 16 (12 Day: 9): Inspiration & Reveal

Lytchett Bay Lytchett Bay an area of Poole Harbour managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. The area is important internationally as one of the few places where the natural change from heathland to marshland can be found. There are pools, fields and reedbeds with a large area of wet tidal mud and grassland. The bay and its marshland is important for wading birds and wildfowl as well as rare reptiles such as sand lizards.… Read More »December Calendar Day 15: Inspiration & Reveal