Dawn at the Cottages

The Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven are one of the most photographed locations on the Sussex coast, and for good reason. These charming white cottages, set against the backdrop of the meandering River Cuckmere and the Seven Sisters cliffs, create a scene that feels quintessentially English. I'd wanted to capture them at sunrise for years, and this February morning finally provided the perfect opportunity.

I arrived in complete darkness, hiking down to the river valley with my tripod and setting up to frame the cottages with the river in the foreground. As dawn broke behind the cottages, the sky erupted in warm golden and pink tones. The light spread across the landscape, illuminating the rolling hills of the South Downs and reflecting beautifully in the winding river. I worked quickly to capture this panoramic composition before the light changed.

Built in the 1820s to house coastguards watching for smugglers, these cottages have stood for over two centuries, witnessing countless sunrises just like this one. The location has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, and standing there that morning, I could understand why—there's something timeless and deeply peaceful about this scene. The combination of architecture, landscape, and light creates a perfect harmony.

When you look at this photograph, I want you to feel that sense of tranquil beauty that comes from being in one of England's most picturesque coastal valleys, watching the first light of day transform the landscape into something almost dreamlike.