After several days of extremely cold weather, the sand on the beach and dunes was frozen solid and covered in frost. A very unusual scene on Shell Bay this Christmas. Inland is a nature reserve. The picture is taken on top of a large dune at the headland on the beach, giving good views both back to Poole Harbour and along the coast to Studland and Old Harry Rocks.

Shell Bay Point on Boxing Day 2010 - Swanage visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Shell Bay Point on Boxing Day 2010' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Dorset.

Shell Bay is backed by sandy dunes, managed by the National Trust. The beach runs from the entrance to Poole Harbour along the coast. In recent years, the beach here as been subject to much sea errosion and shrunk by over 50% in width. At places, the dunes themselves are now being washed away.

Shell bay forms the beginning of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The beach here is very popular at all times of the year. Further along the beach are good views of the Isle of Wight (on a clear day) and Old Harry Rocks. Shell Bay forms part of the Studland Nature Reserve, all the car parks are fee-paying, managed by the National Trust.

Either via the Sandbanks Ferry from Sandbanks or Ferry Road from Studland and Swanage. The land is owned by the National Trust and all car parking (except for along Ferry Road) is ticketed. There are various car parks at the numerous beaches along the road, but each car park requires a separate ticket.