Dorset’s winter wonderland
Local photographer Tony Gill packs his thermos and heads out into the snow and ice to explore the beauty of the county as winter arrives
Published in January ’20
BEING OUT IN challenging conditions means always being aware of your surroundings and safety always comes first, so make sure you take a hot drink, some sustenance, a mobile phone and if possible a friend along with you.
The weather can change in an instant, so keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to adapt your plans if needed. Untreated roads can hide ice and other hazards, so if in doubt stick to main routes and be prepared to park safely and walk to your desired location instead.
When everything comes together, however, there’s nothing better than a grand view in the crisp air and the crunch of fresh snow under your feet.
Looking east from near Thorncombe Beacon as two walkers approach the old sheep-wash in the lee of the hill.
The best view of Colmer’s Hill comes from neighbouring Quarr. The undulating ground and tussocks of grass that show up so well in the snow are the result of past quarrying, hence the hill’s name.
The less-often photographed, but equally pleasing, lines of trees leading into Moor Crichel from the west. A very cold, still night after rain had coated everything in hoar frost: a natural spectacle that soon disappears once the sun comes up.
Taken at the old disused airfield near Tarrant Rushton, where these delicate frosted teasels and lone tree made for a pleasing composition
Looking south from the hills adjacent to Nether Cerne; with a telephoto lens the distant but familiar shape of the Hardy Monument can be seen. A lone sheep grazing completes the scene.
Thomas Hardy’s childhood home at Higher Bockhampton is as evocative today as it has always been. Each season brings new perspectives, the depths of winter and a light snowfall being no exception.
The old woodman’s cottage that was home to T E Lawrence takes on a magical air when it snows. This different view accentuates how it feels both hidden from view and aloof from the conventions of the world outside.
Fingerposts have become a familiar part of Dorset’s rural landscape and their striking black and white design is perfectly matched to a wintry scene
The early morning sun had begun to warm much of the hillfort’s ramparts at Maiden Castle, complementing those parts still in shadow, but where a hard frost remained, the ground was iron
