Swanage, Dorset

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Swanage is a small, old school seaside town with some interesting coastal features, alongside the traditional deckchairs and sand. The beach itself is mostly sand but towards the far end it turns to shingle and larger sea-worn boulders that can provide foreground detail. From the other side of the bay you look over at the chalks cliffs and Old Harry Rocks, although this headland is better seen from the other side at Sandbanks. At the harbour end of the town is a pier from which you can shoot the remains of the old pier that can be quite atmospheric in calm seas and in low-light conditions. Further along from the harbour is Peveril Point, a small, rocky headland. To get to Swanage, take the A351 from Wareham or approach via the Sandbanks ferry from Poole. You can park along the seafront road or in the carpark by the station but bear in mind that in season the town gets very busy. Swanage Bay itself faces due east making it a good location for sunrise.