01/04/2026
Very proud to win this, my first and only competition entry in almost fifty years as a photographer and I won!
🥁 Drum roll, please…
We’re delighted to reveal that West Bay Photographer Neil Barnes has been named the 2025 South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year for his stunning image, Falling Fog.
Captured on a winter’s morning at West Bay, Neil’s photograph shows the usually towering cliffs softened by a delicate veil of mist drifting across this iconic stretch of coastline. Look a little closer and you’ll notice a small rockfall where land meets sea – a quiet reminder of the ever-changing nature of this dramatic landscape.
📸 Judge Jessica Lennan, Lecturer in Photography at University of Plymouth, described the image as:
“A beautiful view of the Dorset coast where mist drifts gently across the cliffs, creating a profound sense of calm. At first glance the scene feels timeless, but on closer inspection the signs of a recent landslide reveal the coastline’s fragility – a place of delicate balance and constant transformation.”
Neil captured the moment while walking his dog Betsy along the pier at West Bay:
“It was a particularly foggy morning, and I could see the mist spilling over the cliffs towards the beach. As I approach my fiftieth year as a photographer, moments like this still fill me with amazement – it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Congratulations, Neil! 👏 A truly magical moment on the South West Coast Path. 🌊📷
We will be revealing the category winners over the next few days!
🙏 Thank you to everyone who entered our annual competition, we received over 1,500 entries and are so grateful for the support.
