Lake District Photo Tour
An amazing 7-day/6-night photo tour capturing some of the most stunning landscapes of the Lake District!
Included
Dates & Times
Friday 3rd – Thursday 9th November 2023 (Autumn workshop)
Fitness Level
Moderate
Price
£1095 – King/double
£895 – shared room
Availability
Last 2 places!
Join Us
Join us on this amazing 7-day photo tour capturing some of the most stunning landscapes of the Lake District!
Situated in Cumbria and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, the wild and untamed beauty of the Lake District is what makes it such a wonderful destination for landscape photography. This diverse area is home to stunning glacial lakes, emerald green valleys, majestic mountain peaks and extensive moorlands, combining to produce a spellbinding atmosphere like something straight out of a fairytale.
One of our most popular landscape photography workshops (for good reason!), numerous unique opportunities for amateur and professional landscape photographers alike during this autumn photography holiday to the splendid English countryside. This time of year is characterised by the charming, earthen hues of fall. Throughout the tour, your professional photo guides will ensure that you’ll be in all of the best locations to witness the glorious autumn colours painting the landscape in a layer of vibrance. They’ll teach you everything that you need to know to enhance your photography skills so that you can take home a collection of truly stunning photographs. Please note that due to the dynamic nature of the weather in the Lake District, your tour itinerary will be flexible to accommodate the conditions.
Do not miss out on the opportunity to experience and capture the breathtaking beauty of the Lake District. Places are limited to just 5 participants on this small group adventure. Note: We run a hotel accommodation version of this photo tour. Please contact for more details.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival and Journey to the Lake District
The adventure begins! You and your fellow travellers will be collected by your photo guides from the scheduled meeting point. From there, you’ll begin the journey to the Lake District National Park.
Along the way, you’ll witness the scenery changing before your very eyes, as we pass through the storybook landscapes to reach our accommodation in the north west of England. Expect to see vast fields dotted with Herdwick sheep and quaint cottages as we get closer to our destination, reaching it just in time for a tranquil sunset session.
Day 2 – Ullswater
On day two, you’ll rise early for a sunrise session capturing the stunning views of Lake Ullswater from the shores by the Duke of Portland boathouse. This is one of the most popular locations for photography in the Lake District and you’ll soon see why. The fells in the distance make for an enchanting scene when lit up by the early morning light. It’s a gorgeous place to welcome the first rays of the sun upon your skin as you take in the unparalleled scenery.
Thereafter, there will be two options: you’ll either make your way to Hallin Fell, on the southern end of Ullswater, or head towards the village of Glenridding. The former offers a grand vista of the rolling green valleys of Cumbria, including Martindale and Boredale, separated by the rocky knolls of Beda Fell. Meanwhile, the latter is where you’ll be treated to picturesque views across the lake towards Cherry Holme and Wall Holm. Both locations are glorious in their own right so your guides will take the weather and lighting conditions into account when making a decision.
You’ll spend the rest of the afternoon at the attractive Aira Force waterfall, which makes for a wonderful scene surrounded by woodlands as it cascades across several tiers into a gorge.
Day 3 – Derwent Water
After breakfast on the third day, you’ll head out for a sunrise shoot at Crow Park, soaking in the magnificent views over Derwent Water. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see all the way towards Derwent Isle, with the idyllic scenery of Borrowdale Valley in the distance.
Later on, you’ll make your way to the still waters of the Isthmus Bay, where an old concrete jetty makes for a delightful foreground with the fells as a backdrop. If conditions are favourable, then you’ll also have the opportunity to capture the modern sculpture known as the ‘Centenary Stones’ in Calfclose Bay. They make for a mystical sight on a misty morning.
The rest of the day will be spent exploring the surrounds. Possible locations for a sunset session include Ashness Jetty, Tewet Tarn and Castlerigg Stone Circle. Your guides will keep an eye on the weather to ensure a smooth and seamless shoot.
Day 4 – Buttermere
Day four sees us continuing the journey to Lake Buttermere, which sits alongside a number of dairy pastures. We’ll spend our time here practicing long exposure photography as we focus our sights on the region’s famous lone tree, pointing towards the mountains in the distance.
After sunrise, we’ll make our way to a local viewpoint where you’ll be able to capture the wonderful hues of fall surrounding Char Hut and the popular Haystacks fell. The afternoon will then be spent unearthing unique and fascinating compositions along the southern shores of Crummock Water, a deep lake flanked by fells on either side, offering panoramic views of Grassmoor and Mellbreak.
Day 5 – Great Langdale
On day five, we’ll rise early to catch the misty sunrise at River Brathay by Elterwater. The atmosphere here can take on a truly enchanting edge as the light casts a magical glow over the oak trees in the crisp morning air.
The afternoon will be spent immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the Great Langdale Valley, as we explore a number of areas including Side Pike and Blea Tarn. This part of the Lake District has some incredible, breathtaking scenery as well as a number of viewpoints that will allow you to capture the dramatic landscapes all around.
Day 6 – Lowther Castle
Day 7 – Return Journey and Departure
This will be the final day of the tour. In the morning, you’ll head out for a sunrise session at Tewet Tarn or Castlerigg Stone Circle. Your destination will depend on the conditions, though both have a lot to offer in terms of stunning compositions, especially in the early morning light with uninterrupted views of the surrounds.
Thereafter, you’ll return to pick up your belongings and to check out of your accommodation, before your guides will drop you off at the scheduled end point. From there, you’ll be able to make your way home or onwards to your next destination, no doubt with a treasure trove of photographs from an unforgettable journey to the English Lake District.
Recommended Equipment
- Wide angle lens – 16-35mm, 10-24mm, 14-24mm
- Walk around/kit lens – 18-55mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm
- Longer focal length lens – 70-200mm
- Tripod
- Extra Batteries
- Battery Charger (we have charging facilities on our vehicle)
- Extra memory cards
- ND Filters – optional/recommended for long exposures during the day – we have multiple sets of Kase ND filters available to borrow (please let me know the filter thread size of your lenses prior to the workshop)
- Shutter trigger (wired trigger recommended)
- Full wet weather gear – just in case!
- Knee high rain boots (Wellington boots) are essential to explore our locations.
A full packing list will be provided prior to the tour.
Included / Not included
Included:
- Two professional photo guides & tuition.
- Return transportation fom central London in our comfortable 8 seat vehicle.
- Accommodation – we run both cottage/apartment & hotel versions of this tour. Please check before booking. Hotel version includes all meals. Cottage/apartment version does not include food/drink. There may be supplements for Premium rooms (if available).
- Kase filter kits if required
- Battery charging facilities in vehicle
Not included:
- Personal & travel insurance
- Food & drink (if non-hotel tour)
- Travel to start point or from end point of tour.
- Anything not specified as “Included”
- Two professional photo guides & tuition.
Fitness Level
This tour involves walking of 30-60 minutes along paths/trails and requires occasional steep steps and inclines. A person of average fitness level should have little difficulty.
Where we'll meet
At 9am, outside Starbucks Coffee, Unit 1A Euston Tower Podium, Regents Place, London NW1 3DP.
The meeting point is close to Warren Street, Euston Square, Euston, & Great Portland Street tube stations.
We expect to return to London between 6-7pm on our final day.
Meeting point map.
Gallery
Testimonials
I just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful trip which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I have learnt so much on this trip – taking the most amazing photos! Yourself and Phil gave me so much help which I am very grateful for.
If you do another trip to the Lake District I would love to join you again!
Many thanks for a wonderful trip last week, I really enjoyed it and have taken away so much 😊.
I’m about 80% through post processing, it’s really difficult to choose as there are so many great shots!
I’ve been considering buying Kase filters too!
Guide
Dion Hitchcock
UK Photo Tours is owned and operated by professional photographer, Dion Hitchcock.
Dion brings over a decade of expertise in teaching and guiding photography. He is an expat Australian and when not running photography tours, resides in London, UK, running photography workshops or as a locum pharmacist. His extensive travel experiences, spanning over 40 countries, ignited his passion for photography as a means to chronicle his journeys. This passion quickly evolved into a profound interest, leading him to actively participate in various camera clubs, assisting them in conducting workshops. Today, Dion independently operates his own workshops mainly across the UK, and occasionally internationally.
His London-based photography Meetup groups have 7,000+ members and over 500 5-star ratings.
Dion still maintains his registration as a pharmacist professional, dedicating his time to aiding patients and educating pharmacy students. However, he has transitioned his time into the realm of photography, where he assists clients in understanding the craft’s technical and artistic aspects. This shift, though unconventional, aligns with his upbringing; both of his parents were artists who nurtured his appreciation for the world’s inherent beauty. His extensive photography experience, professional background, passion for teaching, and numerous five-star reviews ensures you’ll be in the best of care whilst on tour.
You can reach Dion at info@uk-photo-tours.com
Book Now / Enquire
Terms of Service
Please note that our tours and workshops are always in high demand and usually sell out. We historically have over 90% occupancy so we strongly advise to book early.
As photographers ourselves, we always do our utmost to ensure each participant has the opportunity to get the best shots possible on every tour. However, we are dependent upon the weather, which is highly unpredictable. Your photo guide will monitor local weather conditions and adjust any proposed itinerary according to conditions and any local weather warnings.
We highly recommend that you have your own travel and medical insurance. For our overseas clients, please be aware that your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme may not cover you whilst you are overseas.
Bookings and Acceptance of Terms & Conditions
By making a payment to UK Photo Tours by Paypal, bank transfer, Stripe or other means, you have agreed that you have read and understood these terms and conditions and therefore have entered into a contract with UK Photo Tours.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel your booking and the tour is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a £150 service fee. If you cancel and the tour does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of tour:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus the £150 service fee.
75 days or more: 75% refund
60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
If UK Photo Tours have to cancel a tour then you’ll be offered another place on an existing tour or a full refund. We cannot be held liable for any loss of any kind resulting from the cancellation of a tour beyond the tour ticket price.
Pricing
Prices listed on the UK-Photo-Tours.com website are per person, unless otherwise specified.
Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
Unless otherwise specified, prices do not include any local taxes or use-fees, including foreign departure, security, port charges, park fees, customs, immigration, agricultural, passenger-facility charges or international transportation tax.
Prices do not include tips/gratuities to tour directors, drivers or local guides; passport and visa fees; baggage and personal insurance; any items of a personal nature; and any beverages or food not specifically listed under “Included” on the product pages of the UK-Photo-Tours.com website
Tour start/end
Our tours have a designated start and end point and it is each participant’s responsibility to ensure they are at the designated starting point on time and the tour price does not include any flights, accommodation, transport, taxes or charges, etc prior to our start or after our end points/time. We are happy to give advice on such should it be needed.
Passports, Visas, & Insurance
It is the responsibility of all passengers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements.
As visa and health requirements are subject to change without notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
We strongly advise all travellers to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to minimize possible losses due to unforeseeable situations prior to, during, and after your tour.
Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability
It is the sole responsibility of all participants to take out adequate insurance protection for themselves to cover any loss of belongings, theft, accidental damage, injury, cancellation and costs incurred resulting from any event with UK Photo Tours.
UK Photo Tours holds Public Liability Insurance, Motor Vehicle Business Insurance, and Tour Operator Insurance, and will not cover anything excluded under the terms of those policies. Policy details are available on request.
UK Photo Tours cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, accidents, injuries or sickness during your tour. The same applies for any changes in tour schedule due to weather, strikes, industrial action, viral pandemic, civil disturbance, wars, floods or sickness, or any other force majeure. UK Photo Tours reserves the right to change routes, schedules and itineraries if needed because of weather, road, boat route conditions or should the necessity arise because of unforeseen reasons.
Covid-19
We are taking great care to follow the current guidance from the government regarding Covid-19 ( https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus ), along with up-to-date advice from tourism organisations such as VisitEngland.com and VisitScotland.com in order to keep safety a priority.
All of our guides are fully vaccinated and have had booster doses. We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated if clinically able to.
To further reduce risk, we’re continuing with requiring masks to be worn in the vehicle (unless medically expempt). Vents will be open and windows lowered in the vehicle to increase fresh airflow. We provide antiviral hand gel in the vehicle and at any accommodation, along with spare surgical 3-ply face masks for participants if required.
We’ve adopted the tour industry standard of requesting a negative Covid-19 lateral flow test within 72 hours of the start of the tour, and ideally for the result to be logged on the government website. This test can be done at home.
By asking for a negative test we hope you’ll agree it is for everyone’s protection and helps to provide a smooth and safe tour. In the UK, you can obtain free lateral flow tests from either your local pharmacy scanning a QR code, or sent direct to your home through the website https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests , or by calling 119.
We ask all participants to please be vigilant in reducing their exposure risk to Covid-19 in the 10 days leading up to the tour, and remember to test if you have any symptoms and ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place.