PLEASE NOTE: This event has now already taken place

Durdle Door is being lit-up for night only on Thursday, October 2, 2015. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how to get there, what’s happening and what to expect.

If you're going to be there, we'd love to see your pictures and video. You can email digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk or tweet us @Bournemouthecho 

What’s happening?

Durdle Door will be lit up by lighting designers to celebrate the International Year of Light.

The Bournemouth based design team led by Michael Grubb will create a scene designed to be reminiscent of an impressionist painting by placing a person in a rowing boat under the iconic arch.

Using a variety of lighting tricks, from a boat, the team plans to fill the arch with reflected light.

Additional lighting from the shore will also provide warmth to the landscape.

Durdle Door is one of ten UNESCO World Heritage sites across the UK and Ireland being illuminated on what is being called the Night of Heritage Light.

Michael Grubb said: "This is not set up like a large pre-arranged, tested reveal, the sort of thing  you'd get at a big event. This is about lighting designers lighting up a heritage site as part of a collaboration of heritage sites around the UK. A bit like guerilla lighting - just turning up and doing it.

"We have a concept of what we'd like to achieve, but to some extent the tides, weather, where the moon is, means it is hard to know exactly what we're going to have. That is the fun about it.

"We'll be mucking around in front of everyone, testing out what works the best. And we'll be fighting against the sunset, as the best photo opportunity is within that ten or fifteen minute period either side of sunset."

Tell me more about the Night of Heritage Light

The ambitious plan by the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to ‘light map’ the UK will begin as the natural light fades.

The aim of the NoHL is to promote lighting as both an art form and a science by illuminating UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Other landmarks taking part the Giant’s Causeway, Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City, Blenheim Palace and the Tower of London.

For more information on the Night of Heritage Light, visit nohl-sll.org

What's the schedule?

All sites must be ready by the official sunset, which is listed at 6.47pm for Durdle Door. However, designers will be ready and set up to go at 6.30pm.

The rowing boat will launch from a hidden point at 6.10pm to remain in situ until 6.55pm.

A boat with a battery powered LED will launch from Lulworth Cove at 6.45pm, returning at 7.25pm.

Michael Grubb said: "Once the sky is pitch black it will lose it magic."

What if I want to go?

Durdle Door Beach is part of the Lulworth Estate. It is a shingle beach accessible on foot via a steep pathway and steps over the hills from Lulworth Cove. There are a number of steep hills to navigate on the 20 minute cliff top walk from Lulworth. The public car park will be open until 10pm. 

There is a closer pay and display car park at Durdle Door Holiday Park, but for anyone parking there, the steps leading down to the beach would still have to be descended.

While this pathway was renovated and reopened earlier this year, it still may not be completely suitable for all – disabled and the elderly may struggle to get down safely.

Also, if you’re thinking of driving to the site, remember traffic will be busy along the A351 throughout rush hour, particularly around Wareham and through Corfe Castle.

Who’s Michael Grubb?

Michael Grubb is a lighting designer who has his own studio in Bournemouth. In 2012, he was named UK Lighting Designer of the Year.

Projects previously worked on by the Michael Grubb Studio include the delivery of the lighting for the southern part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

They have also provided the lighting strategy for nine parks in Moscow and developed five light pods for Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea Festival.