Photographing the Lake District: The Most Beautiful Places to Visit (Fotovue Photographing Guide)

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Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at my top tips for Lake District landscapes: 1. Visit during the autumn and winter I’ve shot from this pike at many different times of year, and there is no month that wouldn’t this very photogenic landscape. But when the purple hwhich eather blooms among the limestone outcrops in summer it really does make for a very pleasing, colourful foreground.

When you think of England, your mind probably jumps to Big Ben or the Tower Bridge or the centuries of history the country holds but breathtaking landscapes? That’s not something you immediately associate with England unless of course, you know the country well. Hidden up in the North Western part of the country lies a beautiful little place called the Lake District. I’ve usually photographed this area in very still, calm conditions and, similarly to Buttermere, the reflections of the surrounding fells can make for some very interesting images. Although the wider, panoramic approach definitely works here too, I liked the more abstract feel of trying to capture the weird shapes and symmetry of the nearby crags and fells for this image. As already mentioned there are various spots to park along the lake edge but please do not park in passing places or obstruct traffic.The jetty shot is a very recent one, and was actually taken the week before all of 2021’s flooding took place. We were able to set up under an umbrella, and were actively waiting for the heavier showers to roll down Derwentwater. Buttermere is arguably one of the very best Lakes to visit with your camera. Following the B5289 from Borrowdale, take the Honiston Pass (which is a spectacular drive). Once you reach Buttermere, the potential for great landscapes will be immediately obvious. The Lake District looks gorgeous at any time of year, but if you only get one shot, then head over during the winter or fall.

Park in the same area, but this time, instead of following the shoreline path, take the route that forks off to the left. This path leads up onto Loughrigg Fell via Rydal Caves. The views constantly improve as you gain elevation, but it should only take you around 25 to 30 minutes of steady walking to reach the first (lower) plateau of the fell, which gives expansive views over Rydal Water. At the head of the lake, you can capture stunning images of the iconic shoreline pine trees, but ideally shoot them in perfectly still conditions when there are mirror-like reflections.

3. Blea Tarn

We chatted with local Vallerret Ambassadors Lee Gale and Simon Baxter to get their best tips for visiting and capturing the magic of the Lake District. What are the highlights you can expect to see when visiting the Lake District: The second section consists of chapters offering photographic advice on how to improve your photography including: camera and lens choice, composition, exposure, depth of field, sunrise and sunset photography, how to catch a rainbow and how to photograph waterfalls. Local roads are well maintained but many are narrow and twisty, so take care and make use of the pull-ins to slow down and pass other cars. There are several steep mountain passes in the area; Hardknott and Wrynose are the most challenging driving conditions with hairpin bends, blind summits and steep inclines so make sure you test your clutch and brakes before setting off and don't attempt them if you are not a confident driver. Others include Honister, Kirkstone, Newlands Hause and Whinlatter. Surface water after heavy rain will make conditions even more dangerous so avoid driving on these roads if very wet. When the tarn isn’t frozen you can catch some interesting reflections. Take care around the water’s edge as the ground around the tarn is very wet and boggy.

I’d recommend taking a few lenses (if you have the option) to shoot with varying focal lengths. I carry a 16-35mm, a 24-70mm, and a 70-200mm with me and this gives me a great range in just three lenses. You’ll probably want those wide vistas from the top of a fell, but you may also want to capture closer, more detailed images. In the book's first section, author Stuart Holmes describes 70 locations and hundreds of viewpoints for the reader to visit. Each location chapter starts with an overview describing historical, literary, geological, and natural history features including the photographic potential. Detailed directions with maps and sat nav information are given, along with access information including whether a location is accessible by wheelchair.As the trees and surrounding fells turn ochre red and the warm, damp days of late October meet clear, cool, starry nights, nowhere in the UK more perfectly depicts the essence of autumn than the Lake District at sunrise on a misty morning. Blea Tarn nestles in the Little Langdale valley, adjacent to its larger cousin, just over the other side of Lingmoor Fell, Great Langdale. This entire area is festooned with breath-taking locations and a walk anywhere from either of these two valleys will be rewarding. While from Waterhead in Ambleside, which is situated at the northern most end of the lake, there are some great photographic opportunities looking south down the lake, with boats often moored here for added interest.

Another classic, especially in the autumn when Catbells seems to turn red and gold, and the pure blue of the Lake below is just magical. I had been at nearby Brothers Water (an exceptionally beautiful tarn), but given the misty conditions I took the opportunity to photography on of Ullwater’s little islands, something I’d wanted to do for some time in conditions like this. This image was taken from the wall along the roadside. If you do shoot from here, do take every precaution as the road can be a busy one. Beyond the wall there is a bank from which lots of compositions can be made. LEE: It does rain quite a lot throughout the year due to its geographical position. Like with most landscapes in the UK, I prefer to shoot in late spring and autumn, but if you’re visiting for the first time, I would think about how you want the scenery to look and make your decision on what time of the year to visit based on that. The above image was taken from Waterhead, Ambleside, on a particularly misty November morning. A 10 minute walk from here to Borrans Park (passed the piers and jetties and the Water Edge Inn) takes you further to the tip of the lake and offers up a different perspective – a worthwhile detour from here.

10. Blea Tarn

It is no surprise that the Lakes attracts more visitors than any other National Park in the UK, with over 15 million annual visitors. Therefore, when possible, avoid holidays and weekends – and be aware that many of the car parks are pay and display.