I captured this photograph of West Bay’s golden cliffs because they are the defining visual landmark of this remarkable stretch of the Dorset coastline, towering above the harbour and beach and drawing the eye from miles around.

These striking sandstone cliffs — part of the famed Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site — were formed from Bridport Sands laid down in shallow tropical seas around 175 million years ago, and each band of rock tells a chapter of Earth’s deep history.

Seen from above or walking along the beach, these cliffs have shaped the character of West Bay for generations — framing views, inspiring artists and photographers, and endlessly changing through natural erosion and coastal processes. Today they symbolise both Dorset’s dramatic natural heritage and the timeless appeal of this seaside vista, where geology and the sea meet in a truly unforgettable way.