Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks are the striking white chalk stacks at Handfast Point, marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast where Studland's cliffs plunge into Poole Bay. They are one of Dorset's most photographed features and irresistible from the air, but the entire headland is National Trust land, so take-off and landing from the clifftop or the coast path is not permitted. The workable option is to launch from Studland's South Beach or the foreshore below mean high water, then fly out to frame the stacks from over the sea. Bournemouth airport lies roughly 16km northeast; you are outside its Flight Restriction Zone but within a busy corner of airspace, so check for helicopters, gliders and light traffic before and during your flight. The chalk faces host nesting seabirds and the cliff edge is dangerously undercut, so keep a wide buffer and never approach the overhanging edge on foot. Studland gets extremely busy in summer, and there is a naturist beach nearby to respect. Fly at dawn on a still day for glassy turquoise water, clean low light on the stacks and far fewer people around.