On Thursday 6 MayYear 10 geographers set out on our field trip to Dorset.  The aim of our trip was to view first-hand some of the amazing erosional features that Dorset is home to.  These include Old Harry, Hengistbury Head and Lulworth Cove. 

After a three hour coach journey, we arrived near Bournemouth where we ate lunch and then set off on a walk to Hengistbury Head.  This is a headland which separates Bournemouth from Christchurch Bay. Around the headland is Mudeford spit, which has been created by Longshore drift. This spit is a very popular area to own a beach hut, some of which sell for over £60,000.

L5 geographers - we were lucky to have good weather!

Old Harry

Back on the bus we travelled to Old Harry rocks. Old Harry is a chalk stack which has been formed over thousands of years.  The sea has caused the chalk to erode to give sharp steep cliffs. It was amazing to see Old Harry properly other than in a textbook, and we were able to understand better how it had been formed.

Brenscombe outdoor centre

On arriving at Brenscombe Outdoor Centre we unpacked, had a tour and ate a welcome meal. We then had an hour's break before settling down for two hours' work in the classroom, which was followed by more free time until we went to bed.

Lulworth Cove

Bright and early on Friday morning we travelled to Lulworth Cove where we studied the different rock types making up the coastline and erosional features. To begin with we were given a slideshow presentation on the various rock types and the effects of tourism on a honey pot site such as Lulworth Cove. After a guided walk around the area we ate lunch and departed for Swanage, where we were given a briefing of the tourism tasks we were to carry out. These included traffic and pedestrian counts, land use surveys and questionnaires. After much hard work we enjoyed a period of free time in town, where we shopped, sunbathed and ate ice-cream.

With our trip to Dorset sadly approaching the end, we headed back to the outdoor centre to pack and eat. After dinner, we returned to the classroom to view the photos which had been taken throughout the trip and to go over the day's work.

The following morning we departed after breakfast for a three hour drive back home. This was a trip enjoyed hugely by all of us; it was a great visual learning experience.

Grace Challis and Simi Khakh, Year 10

Click here for more photos: http://www.kingsleygallery.co.uk/index_files/dorset.htm