Lake District photography locations, workshops, and prints
A place so beautiful you want to take it home with you. Rugged, rolling, romantic. Why are so many drawn to photograph the Lake District? It’s light and time. The mix of exploration, patience, and reward. Let’s pop the lens cap off and take a look…
Capturing the beauty of the Lake District landscape
Almost everywhere in the Lake District is a photograph waiting to happen. From Windermere to Wasdale, Buttermere to Borrowdale, Coniston to Keswick and everywhere in between, photo opportunities abound.
Stunning landscapes, majestic mountain vistas, tranquil lakes, roaring waterfalls, picture-postcard villages, wonderful wildlife – it’s no wonder this beautiful part of the world has been inspiring poets and writers to wax lyrical, and artists to put brush to canvas for hundreds of years.
And, ever since the invention of the camera, photographers, day trippers, and holidaymakers have been snapping away at the views.
Photography finds
Six of our favourite Lake District photography locations
No matter what season you visit, and whether you’re a got-all-the-gear professional or a just-use-your-phone enthusiast, the Lake District is a photographer’s paradise.
If you want to capture misty mornings over moody lakes, boats bobbing on the water, fiery sunsets and sunrises, striking reflections, snow-capped peaks, dramatic autumn colour, or just take some shots to remember your holiday by, the Lake District is the place to be.
Here’s six fairly easy access locations (looking for something more accessible?) with parking nearby and footpaths that reward you with stunning views.
- Ashness Bridge and Surprise View, Keswick
- Derwentwater from Surprise View, Keswick
- Wastwater, Wasdale
- Orrest Head, Windermere
- Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick
- Aira Force, Matterdale
Ashness Bridge, Keswick
If you don’t mind it being tripods and camera-phones everywhere busy, then head to Ashness Bridge and find out for yourself why it’s one of the most photographed viewpoints in the Lake District.
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With Skiddaw as backdrop and views of Derwentwater in the mid-distance, this picturesque packhorse bridge attracts thousands of photographers every year, who come to capture an iconic Lake District shot.
If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, then early morning or late afternoon are best, although you still won’t have it to yourself. Our advice – just be patient and go with it. There’s a reason it’s popular.
Derwentwater from Surprise View, Keswick
Another classic is the looking-down-the-lake-from-above shot, and one of the best places to take one is from Surprise View (above Ashness Bridge), which looks out over the expanse of Derwentwater and its four islands.
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You can capture some beautiful images as the sun sets over the distant fells, with Keswick on the shore to the right and, on a clear day, as far as Bassenthwaite to the north.
And, while you’re near Derwentwater, you can head down to the shore and capture another popular Lake District shot – the jetty photograph.
Wastwater, Wasdale
Once voted Britain’s favourite view, Wastwater has lost none of its ability to enthral visitors. Located in the Wasdale Valley, it’s England’s deepest lake and is overlooked by England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike.
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You can capture some beautiful images as the sun sets over the distant fells, with Keswick on the shore to the right and, on a clear day, as far as Bassenthwaite to the north.
And, while you’re near Derwentwater, you can head down to the shore and capture another popular Lake District shot – the jetty photograph.
Orrest Head, Windermere
Minimal effort is needed to enjoy the view over Windermere from Orrest Head – the first fell that Alfred Wainwright climbed. A not-too-strenuous twenty-minute walk will take you to the summit and glorious panoramic views of the lake and the fells beyond.
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It’s a great spot to capture a gorgeous golden hour sunset or sunrise over the distant mountains too.
As you might imagine, its easy accessibility means it’s a very popular location so be prepared to share it with other shutterbugs doing the same.
Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick
With the Helvellyn mountain range as a backdrop, mystical and mysterious Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick makes for an atmospheric photography location.
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Be it shrouded in early morning mist or dramatic, rain-heavy clouds in autumn and winter, or bathed in golden sunlight in spring and summer.
It’s also an increasingly popular spot for drone photographers who visit to capture the Neolithic stones from above.
Aira Force, Matterdale
You’ve got to get that long exposure of a roaring waterfall, haven’t you? And one of the best places in the Lake District to do that is at Aira Force, near Glenridding – in fact, you could park up at Glenridding and catch the Ullswater Steamer to within walking distance of the falls.
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The 70-foot drop makes for some fabulous photo opportunities from the stone bridges at the top and bottom. Go after rainfall and the torrent will be tremendous.
While you’re in the area, you could also go up to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell and shoot some panoramic shots over Ullswater too. If you’re lucky, there’ll be a Herdwick or two up there ready for their close-up.
Lake District photography workshops
If you want to know more about taking great photographs in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, then consider booking yourself onto a Lake District photography workshop.
There are lots to choose from, but they’ll all teach you how to get the best from your camera – from what lenses and filters to use, everything you need to know about shooting in different light conditions, which angles are best, how to compose your shots, editing tips, and much more.
Martin Lawrence
Martin has been a professional photographer since 2005, so he knows his ISO from his elbow.
His images have appeared in books, magazines, calendars and the press. Running one-to-one and small group one-day workshops around Keswick and Great Langdale, you’ll come away with new skills and some fantastic images.
Henry Turner
No matter what your skill level, you’ll be a better landscape photographer after you’ve spent some time with native-Cumbrian, Henry.
He offers one-to-one workshops in various Lake District locations, and he won’t just show you how to shoot great images, but how to look for them as well.
Stuart McGlennon
Stuart has lived in the Lake District all his life and knows the landscape intimately.
He’s won lots of awards for his photography, so you’ll be in safe hands on one of his workshops. He offers bespoke tuition for individuals or small groups all year round and without too much technical waffle – just the skills you need to compose and take great photographs.
Amy Bateman
If you’re looking for a photography workshop that’s a bit different from the norm, then Amy’s the person to call.
She specialises in farm photography and offers a range of courses, including a beginner’s course called Amy’s Farm, which shows you how to shoot with your digital camera or smartphone. Other workshops include Fells and Farms, Farms and Tarns, and a Get to know your camera day.
Where to buy lake district photography prints
All the photographers mentioned above (and many others) sell prints of their own work online, and Stuart McGlennon even has his own bricks and mortar gallery in Keswick called the Lens District.
The Lakes Gallery, Bowness
Here you’ll find the Lakeland work of award-winning photographer, Matt Nuttall, including eleven photographs that have been shortlisted for the UK Landscape Photographer of the year award.
Cook House Gallery, Ambleside
You can find photographic prints of the Lake District at the Cook House Gallery in Ambleside, as well as in their galleries in Windermere, Bowness and Keswick.
And its not just photographs, they specialise in Lake District art in all its forms, so you’re unlikely to come away empty-handed.
Coniston Fudge Gifts and Gallery
Buy some delicious handmade fudge and pick up a photographic print by a Cumbrian-based photographer – sounds like a win-win to us.
You can buy prints by the renowned modern landscape photographer, Tim Dove, as well as the work of John Sayer, among others in this shop and gallery down by the shore in Coniston.
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More things to do in the Lake District
Lake District Beaches: Heading West to undiscovered secrets
While there’s only one coastal town inside the National Park the wider area has a lovely coastline, with numerous beaches worth visiting
Visiting the Lake District in January
Why is January special? Enjoy gentle bracing walks. Set sail on crystalline lakes. Wander through forests and gaze up at starlit dark skies.
Visiting the Lake District in December
Snow-dusted mountain tops, and towns looking suitably festive everywhere, with twinkly lights and trees and decorated shop fronts
Take a pilgrimage to a grand old abbey in the Lake District
In addition to the three abbeys, there are also a number of other monastic sites in the Lake District, such as ruins of friaries and priories
Burrow deep into the history of the Lake District’s mines
Metal mining has a long history dating back to the Roman era. It played an important role in the economy and landscape of the Lake District
Investigate the Lake District’s mysterious stone circles
The Lake District is home to a number of stone circles, dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (c. 3000-1500 BC)
