A Photographer’s Dream Locations in England

In a country with no shortage of history and culture, anyone that owns a camera-amateur or professional-will light up with excitement over the amount of memories and snapshots that will be made in England. Not only will you finish your holiday will hundreds of photographs but you’ll also leave with no fewer than a dozen new friends if the Brits have anything to say about it. Grab some fish and chips, a handful of memory cards, and the get ready to fall in love with England through your lens.

Cultural Photography - Yorkshire

A historic county so remarkably beautiful, it is where the fictional estate on popular BBC show Downton Abbey is set. Head out on a bike ride across the North York Moors to capture the exquisite countryside that the area is so famous for. If you’re lucky you can capture a stunning shot of the well-preserved North Moors Railway that runs for 18 miles through the North Moors National Park. You’ll get your fill of history from the extraordinarily preserved Kirkstall Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1152, north-west of the city centre. Continuing with beautiful, historical ruins, head to the Whitby Abbey Monastery that overlooks the North Sea. Though not as intact as the Kirkstall Abbey, the Whitby Abbey is a beautiful study in architecture and a must-see for literature aficionados. Whitby Abbey was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula when he stayed in a nearby house. It is said that the actual “Count Dracula” is buried at Whitby Abbey.

More cultural photographs are to be made in Yorkshire when you head over to “The Shambles,” an old street in York, a historic walled-city in Yorkshire, where you can find overhanging timber building, many of which date back to the fourteenth century. You can capture photographs of the historic buildings along with the tourists and locals enjoying the many eateries and souvenir shops around.

The Stanley Ferry Aqueduct is beautiful to photograph around sunset or for a more unique photograph, hop on the Ferry that goes through the remarkable Aqueduct that has been running since it was finished in 1839.

This area is proud of its strong cultural identity making it a perfect place for photographers that want to capture an authentic English essence in their photos.

People and Places - Bath

A city so rich in heritage it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the only city in Britain to receive the honour. Located in Somerset, South West England, Bath will enchant and entrance both you and your lens.

To get yourself acquainted with the charming city, start at the Pulteney Bridge. Completed in 1773, this bridge is one of only four bridges in the world that have shops across the full span. The bridge is an excellent starting point for capturing the people of the city for cultural photography. If you love photographing architecture, the bridge will not disappoint, particularly at dusk as the sun sinks and the warm yellow glow of shops set the area ablaze with an old world feel.

When you’re ready for more compelling architectural shots, hop over to the Royal Crescent. This unique, semi-elliptical crescent of houses was completed around 1775 and is great for those that enjoy panoramic shots. You’ll also enjoy a stunning overlook of Bath from the crescent-shaped lawn. For historical accuracy, you can visit one of the houses that has been restored to show you accurate 18th century interior style.

Don’t limit yourself to the main attractions though. Much of the town is built with local, golden-coloured bathstone and the bustling town centre will leave no shortage of local, modern culture to photograph.

Landscape Shots – the Lake District

The Lake District, commonly referred to by the locals as The Lakes or Lakeland, was famous for its inspiration to many of the romantic poets from the 19th century and now held near and dear by all in England. The National Park is one of the most beloved in the country. As soon as you arrive, it will be no wonder why it was held so near and dear to those who wrote about and those who still enjoy its beauty. The Kelly green rolling hills and cobalt blue lakes lie beneath a mass of blue skies. This popular holiday destinations bring visitors from the farthest corners to embark on day hikes and lake cruises. Head out on a boat for yourself and grab some long-range shots of the mountains or close ups of the sprawling lakes. If you dare, head up to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England for expansive views of the National Parks at the settlements that reside in it. The lake cruise will take you out on England’s deepest and longest rivers, Wastwater and Windermere.

Many of the visitors come for the scenery, but a good many also come for the literary connections. William Wordsworth was a resident of the area and drew much inspiration from its beauty. When you’re ready to capture a piece of literary history, head to Rydal Mount, home of William Wordsworth from 1813 until his death in 1850. For a more structured approach, take the Beatrix Potter Lakeland Tour which heads out along Lake Windermere to show the favourite spots of the great poet, Beatrix Potter. When heading to this location make sure to bring along accessories to keep your gear dry as the weather can be unpredictable in England and a trip on the lake can have devastating consequences if you aren’t prepared with at least a camera strap.

A Unique Experience – East Midlands train

For a truly once-in-a-lifetime approach that will let you capture all that England has to offer, grab an East Midlands train that travels directly through the centre of England so that you can visit a few different cities over the course of a few days. The train gets from London to Sheffield in around 2 hours. There is also a train that runs along the east coast and the west coast of the country, depending on where you would like to visit. You can take photos along the way, especially if you are good at panning and definitely if you have a long-zoom lens.

Everywhere you turn in England is another idyllic, famous or unique photograph just waiting to be taken. Whether you travel the back roads or immerse yourself in the cities, there is something for every kind of photographer. Take another step towards protecting your gear and your memories by purchasing travel insurance from Cover-More. You can tailor your cover so your expensive photography equipment is covered in case of damage or loss.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Tim Green