The Lake District - where to go? Where to stay?

sparker

sparker

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Simon
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Good evening,
I am starting to do some research into photography in the Lake District.
I have booked off a week next October and will be heading "up North" for autumn colours. I have not been there before and would like some advice. Can any one advise some locations for a novice landscape photographer. I would like some suggestions, if anyone can help, on a nice area to stay (Air B&B) that has easy access to some lake/landscapes as mobility is a minor issue.

Many thanks in advance
Simon
 
You'll get plenty of recommendations for Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick which are all good but busy so I'll suggest a few slightly less busy, less popular places.

Kendal, about 20 mins drive to central lakes, will be a lot cheaper but is on the edge of and not in the heart of the national park.

Coniston, easy access to the lake, close to the Langdales, Tarn Hows, Blea Tarn, some good slate quarries as well.

Anywhere around Ulswater e.g. Patterdale, Pooley bridge

All that said it can be a bit of drag getting to the northern areas from those places so if you want Borrowdale (my favourite valley but perhaps not the best for photography) and Buttermere (classic pine trees photo) then Keswick is the better option, but for a first visit, it will all be good if you get the weather.
 
I shoot & teach in the Lakes increasingly often, and I'll be releasing new Wokshop (inc. residential) in the new year - that's not a pitch, just letting you know I know the area a bit :D

Almost everyone shoots autumn colours in the north as there's generally more suitable areas close enough together to do multiple ones within a day. Keswick is the prime spot as its the only major town and has plenty of eateries too, there's a range of AirBNBs there as well as holiday lets and the obvious B&Bs/hotels

You don't mention if you're going alone or with others? If alone, some of the many B&Bs may suit better, or you can try through the several holiday letting agents such as Sally's Cottages; this is how I usually find my residential properties for multiple guests

The prime autumn colours period does float around quite a bit depending on how the summer went, but the last week of October or first week in November should be pretty good whatever

Derwentwater has multiple great spots around it for both sunrise & sunsets, with a nip up to 'Surprise View' and on to Watendlath always worthy; but also look into Buttermere & Crummock Water too, where both ends of both offer multiple opportunities with little or no 'rougher' walking as their main spots are very flat & easy to access

Have fun - post the results :)
 
I endorse Keswick. The walk around Derwenterwater is flat and if necessary you can pick up the launch to take you back at 3 or 4 locations.
Also above Kewsick is a small fell called Latrigg. You can drive up to the car park and there is a short, flat walk along the top (viewpoint looking over Derwentwater towards Borrowdale).
From Keswick you can easily drive to the western and northern lakes.
Another location to bear in mind is Sale fell at the western end of Bassenthwaite. On a clear day good views of Skiddaw and Scotland.
www.andrewswalks.co.uk

Sale Fell walk - Lake District walk - North Western Lake District - Cumbria

A short 3 mile walk with an easy ascent of Sale Fell in the North West Lake District and lovely views over Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw
www.andrewswalks.co.uk www.andrewswalks.co.uk
 
Get yourself this - everything you could want to know.

fotovue.com

Photographing The Lake District (second edition)

NOW PUBLISHED If you want to visit the most beautiful places in the Lake District and return with a great set of photographs this is the guidebook for you. (528 pages, 103 locations, 800+ photograp…
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My personal year-round favourite is Eskdale.
 
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