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The
Lazy Photographer's Guide 05 -South-East England (pt2) |
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This article
is the fifth of a series of articles covering much of the UK. It is
basically a list of locations I have programmed into my GPS Satellite
Navigator - most of which I have visited, the rest being places I intend
to get to some day. It is not a comprehensive guide to the Dales, only
the parts I have been to and photographed - or intend to. I've called it The Lazy Photographer's Guide since most of the locations are less than half a mile from road access. As the area covered is big and I can't think of a better split (since I also have a large number of locations in the southwest too, I've split the south roughly at the western borders of Dorset and Wiltshire), this is a large list. Accordingly I've done it as two pages. This is page 2, page 1 can be found here |
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Hatchet
Pond Access - the pond lies at the junction of the B3055 and B3054 roads between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu, at GR SU 369 016. The car park is down a gravel track off the B3055 Brockenhurst road about 100 yards from the junction. What to
see - the pond is accessible all around although the best views are
from the eastern and southern shores. It is ideal for sunsets and general
cloudscapes with reflections in the water since the land around is so
flat and provides little obstructions. Water birds inhabit the pond,
including herons, little egrets and the ubiquitous mute swans. New Forest
Ponies come to the pond to drink and to scrounge food. |
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Hayling
Island Access - follow the signs off the A27 onto the A3023 which runs right down to the beachfront road. Parking is available on the beachfront and by the ferry on the western end of the island. What to see - to the south there is the open beach with groynes and other sea defences, to the east and west are the mudflats of Chichester and Langstone Harbours, so plenty of waders and other sea birds. |
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Hengistbury
Head Access - follow signs from Christchurch or Bournemouth, parking is available at the western end at GR SZ 164 911. What to see - various dykes and tumuli and other ancient earthworks, the shoreline and coastal defences, the view across Christchurch Bay to the Isle of Wight |
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Hurst
Spit & Castle Access - there is no vehicular access to the spit or castle, the only access is by foot or by ferry from Keyhaven. Follow signs from Milford-on-Sea to Keyhaven and park at Keyhaven (GR SZ 306 914) or at Milford-on-Sea at GR SZ 289 913. What to see - the beach along the spit, the castle (entry fee charged), ships passing through the channel between the spit and the Isle of Wight |
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Jack
& Jill Access - turn off the A23 London-Brighton road at Pyecombe on the A273 Hassocks road. At the top of the hill (before Clayton) the turning to the mills is signposted on the right and the car park is on the left about half a mile up the hill, just before Jill Mill. What to see - when open, Jill Mill can often be seen working so there is the opportunity for moving sails and mechanisms, the miller at work, etc. Jack Mill can only be seen from the path. Whilst there, it's worth walking up the path a little way for the views all around, along the Downs and across the Wield to the north. |
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Jevington
Church Access - Jevington lies on an unclassified between the A2270 Polegate-Eastbourne road and the A259 Eastbourne-Seaford road. The easier end from which to approach is the south where you turn off the A259 at Friston, heading north. When you reach Jevington, the first village, look out for signs for the South Downs Way. The road to the church is the one that the SDW takes to the west. Climb up the hill, watching out for walkers and cyclists and park on the small grassy area opposite the church. Note, it's not advisable to go during services times as there won't be room to park and turning could also be tricky. What to see - the church and churchyard with many old headstones, in spring a fine display of daffodils |
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Kimmeridge
Bay Access - From Corfe castle, take the minor road through Church Knowle and follow signs for Kimmeridge, turning left at GR SY 915 811. Follow the road through Kimmeridge and take the very minor road down to the bay. There is a large car park for which there is no charge, however the access road is subject to a toll of £3. What to see - the bay is a round rocky bay with cliffs all around and sloping reefs protruding right out into the bay. Possible subjects include the reefs themselves, rock pools and marine life, the cliffs. Kimmeridge is good for long exposure sunsets to smooth the water. To the east on the cliff top is the Clavel Tower which is due to be relocated as it is getting dangerously close to being undermined by the eroding cliffs. Note - Kimmeridge is right on the edge of the Army's Lulworth Ranges. Check for firing days (usually not weekends of bank holidays) before attempting to pass round to the west of the bay. If firing is in progress or clearing-up hasn't been completed, notices and flags are displayed. |
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Lepe
Access - From the A326, turn off at the roundabout in Holbury (behind Fawley oil refinery) and follow the road down to Lepe. The large pay & display car park is at GR SZ 455 985 on the shore, with an overflow car park inland. What to
see - the shingle beach and views across to the Isle of Wight with shipping
travelling down the western branch of The Solent. Further down the coast,
the mouth of the Beaulieu River is good for wading birds, there are
a few spots where you can pull off the road at GR SZ 432 986 |
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Lyme
Regis Access - signposted off the A35 west of Morecombelake, there are several car parks in the town. What to
see - the beach and holiday amusements, the old harbour and The Cobb
(the harbour wall which snakes out to sea) and the view across Lyme
Bay as far as Portland |
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Mudeford Access - from the A35 follow signs to the beach, parking at GR SZ 184 918 What to
see - the beach and groynes, views of Hengistbury Head, along Christchurch
Bay to Milford-on-Sea and across the bay to the Isle of Wight |
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Newlands
Corner Access - Newlands Corner is on the A25 between Woking and Dorking, GR TQ 043 492 What to
see - not much at the corner itself, but it's a good place for heading
out along the Downs for downland scenery and wildlife |
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Ober
Heath Access - take the minor road out of Brockenhurst (on the A337) heading towards Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. Just after you leave the village there is a turning on the right. Take that and follow it to the end, where there is a car park at GR SU 284 035. The heath is 100 yards northwest. What to
see - outside the rutting season, heathland. In the rutting season,
stags displaying, fighting and rounding up the hinds. In the rutting
season the middle of the heath is closed off and the limit of access
is a track that runs along the southeastern boundary. The Forestry Commissioners
do police this exclusion and no-one is exempt - not even professional
wildlife photographers. |
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Old
Wardour Castle
Access - From the A30, turn off at Donhead St Andrew and head north almost as far as a railway line, 3½ miles or so. Turn right and carry on for about a mile to Hazeldon. Turn right here and follow the road up the hill, around a sweeping RH bend then watch out for signs to the castle on the left. The car park is just before the castle. What to
see - the ruins of the castle, with potential for arty type shots of
spiral staircases, etc. The grounds are well kept with some nice old
trees and a "hermit's cave" |
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Portland
Bill Access - Take the A354 out of Weymouth across the end of Chesil Beach and up the hill to to Easton. Then follow the roads south to the Bill, where you will find the car park. What to
see - a very rugged coastline battered by the weather coming in straight
from the Atlantic Ocean. Three lighthouses, one (the southernmost) still
in use and one now in use as bird observatory. The remains of quarries
and a crane that is still occasionally used to offload boats. To the
west of the modern lighthouse is Pulpit Rock, a square block of rock
at the edge of the sea. It used to be a rock arch and after that collapsed
the quarrymen carved the remaining pillar into the square "lectern"
that we see today. From the Bill you can see both ways along the coast
along Chesil beach to the west and along the Jurassic Coast to the east |
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Puttenham
Common Access - From the A31 Guildford Hogsback turn off onto the B3000 for Puttenham. In the village turn left, then left again towards Elstead, after a mile the car park turning is on the right What to see - heathland scenery, plants and wildlife |
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Reculver
Towers Access - turn off the A299 just east of Herne Bay, for Hillborough and Reculver, there is parking in Reculver at GR TR 225 692 What to
see - the towers and the remains of the Roman walls, views along the
coast and, on clear days, across to East Anglia. |
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Richmond
Park Access - the Park is located centrally between Richmond, Putney, Wimbledon and Kingston Upon Thames in western London, about 2 miles south of the end of the M4. There is access from the A205 Upper Richmond Road and A307 (various road names for this one) There is no direct access from the A3 Kingston Bypass. What to see - woodland, open grassland, deer, other flora and fauna. |
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Salisbury
Cathedral Access - Salisbury is in the heart of Wiltshire, on the A36 from Southampton and a little way south of the A303 road from the M3 to the west country. There is plenty of parking signposted in the town and the Cathedral Close is but a short walk away. The Close is open from 07:00 till 23:30 daily times vary for the interior of the cathedral and other amenities. What to see - the cathedral and the close, the best closeup view is from the northeast corner of the grounds. Commercial photography is not permitted without prior arrangement but non-commercial work inside or outside is OK except during services or in the Chapter House. |
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Seven
Sisters from Seaford Head Access - leave the A259 in Seaford and take several minor roads and a track to finish at the parking location at GR TV 504 980. The walk east down a footpath to just above the old coastguard cottages at GR TV 513 976 What to see - heathland wildlife and the Seven Sisters view. This works well with evening light illuminating the cliffs, however shadows in the foreground can be a problem (either your own or the gorse bushes that you can use to mask your shadow) if you want to include the cottages in the foreground. |
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Shere Access - Shere is just south of the A25 Woking-Dorking road at GR TQ 073 478. On-street parking wherever you can find it. What to
see - interesting old buildings including the old fire station and an
nice church. |
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Silbury
Hill Access - Silbury Hill is right beside the A4 at GR SU 099 684, just south of Avebury, with a car park nearby. What to
see - well, a conical hill, what else? Access to the hill itself is
not allowed but views from the A4 and the car park are possible. In
winter the fields around are sometimes flooded, giving an interesting
alternative look with the hill standing alone in water. |
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Silent
Pool Access - beside the A25 between Newlands Corner and Shere, a hundred yards or so west of the A248 Albury turning. There is a layby on the north side of the road (at that point it's dual carriageway so the layby is off the eastbound carriageway) and a footpath leads to Silent Pool at GR TQ 060 485 What to see - a rather pretty little lake with a viewing platform built to look like a small boathouse. Reflections in the water, especially in autumnal colours. |
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St
Marthas Church Access - turn off the A25 Woking-Dorking road onto the A248. Just after leaving Albury, take the 2nd turning on the right and the car park is on the left after about a mile, at GR TQ 034 484. The track leads up the hill to the church. What to see - the church and graveyard, with views around. All of the graveyard slopes away from the church so some good "looking up" angles are possible. Some of the gravestones and tombs could also make interesting subjects. |
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Stodmarsh
NNR Access - from Canterbury take the A257, Sandwich Road and turn left past the Golf Course into Stodmarsh Road. A car park is situated up the track leading from the village of Stodmarsh, next to the Red Lion Public House. (GR TR 221609) What to see - wetland and reedbed plantlife and birds. Mallard, gadwall, shoveler and pochard ducks breed at the site. In the winter they are joined by teal, wigeon, water rail, white-fronted goose, and tufted duck. Other birds seen at the site include reed and sedge warbler, bearded tit, bearded reedling, bittern, hen harrier, great crested grebe, corn bunting and coot. In the autumn and spring large flocks of martin, swallow and wagtail use the reserve as a stop-over. The site also has the first breeding record for Cetti's warbler in the UK and is also inhabited by a number of invertebrates and moths. |
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Tyneham Access - turn off the back road across Lulworth Ranges where signposted and follow the road down to the village and car park. Note that access is only open at weekends and holidays, if the ranges are not in use. What
to see - the remains of the abandoned buildings, in various states of
repair. Only the church and schoolhouse have been repaired as museums
and occasional commemorative services are held in the church. Some signs
of the original population remain such as the names of the pupils in
the schoolhouse with their coat pegs, their work still on the old desks.
Most poignant of all is the notice that the people left pinned to the
church door; |
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Win
Green Hill Access - turn off the A30 at Ludwell, a few miles east of Shaftesbury and continue south for about a mile and a half. Take the gravel lane on the left at the crest of the hill, to the car park on Win Green, GR ST 922 204 What to see - the hill itself, crowned by a dense stand of trees, with fine views across the Wiltshire countryside below. In spring an summer, the hill is covered in a wide range of wild flowers. |
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Winkworth
Arboretum Access - Winkworth is signposted off the B2130 Godalming-Hascombe road, GR SU 990 412 What to
see - trees, what else did you expect? Over 1000 species of trees and
shrubs to be more precise, the colours in autumn just have to be seen. |
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Worbarrow
Tout Access - only possible by foot, about half a mile from Tyneham, when the Lulworth Ranges are not in use. Park at Tyneham and take the path west out of the village. What to see - the headland itself and views to the east and west along the Jurassic Coast. |
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