IN PICTURES: Breathtaking photos capture winter sunrise through Durdle Door arch
THIS STAGGERING photo shows the beautiful moment the sun rose through Dorset's famous Durdle Door.
The natural archway on the Jurassic Coast perfectly frames the rising sun
The natural archway on the Jurassic Coast is perfectly illuminated by the rays in a scene recreated just a few times a year.
The rare snaps was captured by amateur photographer Damien Davis who drove five hours to capture the remarkable sunrise.
The 38-year-old from Cricklade in Wiltshire said: "I had heard about it from other landscape photographers, but this was the first time I had ever seen it for myself.
The photographer has to be waiting at a specific spot on the beach
Photographer Damien Davis who drove five hours to capture the remarkable sunrise
It really was an amazing thing to see
"It only happens a few days a year when the sun is particularly low in the sky.
"I had to leave home at 3.30am, but it was worth it.
"It really was an amazing thing to see."
The 200ft natural limestone arch, a big draw for tourism in Dorset, will only frame the sunrise for a few days approaching the Winter Solstice in December.
The 140million-year-old Door is privately owned by the Welds family, part of the family's 12,000acre Lulworth Estate in Dorset.