The Agglestone Rock (aka Devil's Anvil)

A visit to the Agglestone Rock, approximately one mile (1.6 km) from the village of  Studland, Isle of Purbeck, is listed as one of the twenty-five things (is that all?) to do in Dorset before you die. Well, I struck that one off my list decades ago as I've photographed it on several occasions before I even knew that.

The 400 tonne tertiary sandstone block on Godlingston Heath used to be anvil shaped, but it toppled onto its side in 1970 due to erosion, and has has remained that way ever since.

Local legend (isn't there always one?) has it that the devil threw it from The Needles at the western extremity of the Isle of Wight, with the intention of hitting either Corfe Castle, Bindon Abbey or Salisbury Cathedral. In any of those cases he proved to be a very poor aim as he missed by some margin.

Today's visit reveals the effects of a heath fire; something that was all too frequent during the summer heatwaves when heathland and forests became tinder dry through lack of rain. Whether through natural causes or deliberate action, the burnt areas are already beginning to recover.

© 2026

Nine Barrow Down

I'm not sure if what I'm getting at the moment qualifies as an Indian Summer, but it's 21º C outside with glorious sunshine. In fact, I couldn't ask for better conditions for landscape photography. Today, I'm walking Nine Barrow Down on Isle of Purbeck from east to west. The weather was forecast to be changeable, and the scudding clouds are creating ever changing light: my kind of light. 

 2026

Oh, to be in England, now that photo season's here

The five widespread heatwaves that plagued the UK during the hottest summer on record - along with their persistent (and featureless) azure skies - have come and gone. Temperatures have dropped to a manageable twenty degrees celsius or so; the days are becoming noticeably shorter and the skies have returned. Photo season has arrived.

This week I have planned three trips to the Downs on Dorset's Isle of Purbeck. They are a favourite location for photography, with stunning views on offer in all directions. In addition, the weather forecasts look promising. Today's visit is to Ballard Down (featured above), ending at the beginning (or ending - depending on which way you are travelling) to UNESCO's Jurassic Coast and Old Harry's Rocks.

Today, it's all about light, shade, and polarising filters.

© 2026