CAMERAS at the ready: A natural spectacle is set to occur at a Dorset beauty spot and the Lulworth Estate has some handy tips on how to spot it.

Every year at the Durdle Door lucky visitors can see the sun rise right through the famous arch in a yearly 'sunrise through the keyhole' which is stunning to watch and photograph.

The spectacle can be seen between early to mid-December and early January.

A spokesman for the Lulworth Estate said: “With its dramatic, 10,000-year old stone arch, Durdle Door is magical at the best of times. But if you are patient, and with some careful planning, it is the location for one of the world’s most incredible sunrises. 

"Watching the sun slowing rise and then perfectly hit and fill the ‘keyhole’ within Durdle Door’s arch is a momentous spectacle to experience. It has palpable drama and is one of those natural events which conjures wonder and awe for the incredible earth we live on.”

The Lulworth Estate has these tips for people wanting to catch the sunrise through the keyhole:

  • The sun rises at around 7.50am at the start of December and at around 8.10am at the start of January. To get an accurate sunrise timing for any given day in the month use an app such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE). The app also allows you to work out the best location on the beach to stand or sit to see the sun rising through Durdle Door’s arch. 
  • If you are staying the night on the Lulworth Estate before watching the sunrise, and if the skies are clear, you can also enjoy some wonderful stargazing at Durdle Door. It is one of the darkest areas of the country allowing for fabulous views of the Milky Way at night. 

If you manage to get a picture of the drama, send it to us at newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk