Lake District Photography Itinerary: The Best 3-Day Trip for Stunning Shots

Visits to The Lake District are often far more fleeting than you might want them to be, especially given that a lot of us are working full time and stays often last just a few days. I’ve been living here and photographing the eternal beauty of this place for over two years now and have used some of this time and the benefit of my experience to create a 3 day photography itinerary for this incredible part of the world, so that you can grab some social media worthy shots whilst exploring the dramatic landscape this place lays out right in front of us at every single turn.

I’ve worked this into a three day itinerary, but it doesn’t need to be done over the course of three consecutive days. You might want to cram all of these into one trip, but could just as easily spread these out over the course of a week, or over several visits, the choice is yours!

What I have tried to do here is to combine some easy what I like to call “walk up shots” where you can park up and walk the shortest of distances to the car, with some longer walks and more interesting terrain.

As with many of these blogs, it’s essential I give you some of the key safety information, especially if you’re travelling alone. Always make sure someone knows where you are, where you are going what time you expect to be back. Mobile phone and battery pack should be charged before you set off, your head torch should be charged and packed even if you think you might not need it - especially if you’re cutting it fine to get back before nightfall and if you’re out in the hills, you must have your map and compass with you. Appropriate footwear, clothing and enough water are also a must. If you’re trying to plan and you’re not sure where to start, my blog about Must Have Apps for Photographers will come in handy!

So what about the photos? What about the locations and what about the subjects? I’ve laid this out in 3 days below, do them in any order you like, do them in one weekend or one week or spread them out over the course of a few weeks or even across the year, the choice is yours.

Day One - Angles and Structure

Sunsrise: Derwentwater.

One of the smaller major lakes in the The Laker District, it’s in the northern part of the National Park and is really close to Keswick. Derwentwater is over looked by Catbnells and Skiddaw, and at just over 3 miles long, it provides homes to kingfishers and otters as well ospreys over the summer before they head south to overwinter.If you head into the surrounding woodlands, there’s a good chance of seeing a red squirrel or two. Sci-fi fans may recognise parts of the landscape from Start Wars - the scenes on Takodana were filmed at Derwentwater.

<— LEFT: The view from Surprise View, Keswick.

There are plenty of photo opportunities dotted around the lake, but head to The Theatre by The Lake for sunrise. From here you can shoot back towards Catbells. This is a popular spot amongst photographers shooting the sunrise, so get here early to secure a good spot! Head to Crow Park for this one, what3words //////driveways.trails.teachers will get you in the rough area, you’ll just need to fine tune a little bit when you arrive.

When you’ve captured your sunrise shot, there will be a bit of time to explore Kewsick, plenty of good places to eat and relax here, as well some great outdoor shops if that’s your thing. If you are looking for a spot for lunch, then The Round is fantastic - amazing burgers and cocktails (if you like them!), but you can’t book and just have to turn up - good luck!

During the Day: Around Keswick and Derwentwater.

Suitably refreshed, the next stop on your itinerary is Ashness Bridge (what3words ///nation.custard.reinvest), a short drive from where you were for sunrise. This is an iconic Lake District Location and is one of the most photographed packhorse bridges in the entire national park. These were built for horses carrying heavy loads to enable them to cross the water.

You might want your ND filters for this location, it looks great with some motion captured in the water, especially if the water levels are good following the rain (we get a lot of that up here)!

Once you’ve visited here, you should head up the road to Surprise View (what3words ///heartened.coconut.cork. - this will get you to the National Trust Car Park, the viewpoint is a 30 second walk from here) This is an incredible location over looking Derwentwater, with Bassenthwaite lake in the distance. The views over the Borrowdale are amazing, and were popular with the Victorians and the Romantic Poets. Take care, there isn’t a safety rail, but there is a huge steep drop.

Sunset: Friar’s Crag.

Once you’re done at Surprise View, you can start to think abuout sunset and I am recommending Friar’s Crag for this. You can find the location at ///itself.surcharge.truck. We’re headed back to The Theatre by The Lake for the start of this one, walk past with the theatre on your left, keep the lake on you right and head towards the end of the tarmacced road, when the tarmac runs out, follow the track until you reach the bench at the end and hopefully you’ll be rewarded with some amazing golden hour light as the sunsets and you look across the lake towards Catbells.

Top tips for day one:

Pack your ND filters to help manipulate your exposure times, especially at Ashness Bridge and make sure you have your polarisers to deal with the reflections coming off the water. You’re probably going to want a tripod and I’d recommend both a wide angle and a zoom lens so that you can experiment with as many compositions as you want.

Day 2 - Mountains and Panoramas.

Sunrise - Buttermere.

We’re heading southwest from day ones adventures and to the Beautiful Buttermere. There’s a bit more walking involved today, as the parking isn’t quite as handy, but the views are well and truly worth it. You’ll also need to cross your fingers for a calm morning. Buttermere on a still morning is renowned for its mirror-like reflections, which are a photographers dream.

Park at the National Trust Car Park (///promises.parsnips.smoker), and then it’s a bit of a walk down to the lakeshore. This should take you about fifteen minutes, some of which is on the road with limited footpaths so dress accordingly and make sure you can be seen.

Once you’re by the lake shore, the walk is very easy and nice and flat, if a little boggy underfoot at times. Head for the lone pine tree for a classic Lake District Composition with Fleetwith Pike in the Background. If you’re there in Spring/Summer then head for the bluebells for an extra pop of colour.

You’re surrounded by mountains at this location, with Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, and High Stile all beautifully reflected in the water.

Once you’re by the lake shore, the walk is very easy and nice and flat, if a little boggy underfoot at times. Head for the lone pine tree for a classic Lake District Composition with Fleetwith Pike in the Background. If you’re there in Spring/Summer then head for the bluebells for an extra pop of colour.

Buttermere in the depths of Winter —>

You’re surrounded by mountains at this location, with Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, and High Stile all beautifully reflected in the water.

Once you’re done with your sunrise shoot, circular walk around the lake is a lovely one to get under your belt before heading into the village for a cup of tea, or something stronger if that’s your thing (and you’re not driving!) and something to eat before you move on.

Daytime - Honister Pass.

A word of warning, that if you’re not a confident driver then this might not be for you. Some of the roads are very steep, very narrow and very windy. Pay attention to the weather forecast, if it’s snowy or particularly consider whether or not you actually need to drive along it - opportunities to take photos will be there tomorrow, make sure you are too! Take your time, drive within your limits and make sure you’re looking well ahead of you.

Now that the serious stuff is out of the way, this is a great road to take photos on - there are sweeping views across the Lake District Fells and valleys, and you can also spend some time at the Honister Slate Mine, learning about the rich history of slate mining in the area.

Having your long lens in this area is going to help you get some great compression and layers into your shots. There are places to stop and get out to shoot/walk to find compositions, but be considerate of other road users, your own safety and especially considerate of the farmers who work their sheep in these hills - don’t block their gates or the entrances.

You’ll see plenty of small, picturesque waterfalls as you drive along this picturesque mountain pass, if you’re stopping to take pictures then the above rules still apply.

Herdwick sheep roam freely in this area and they make great subjects, but they aren’t renowned for their knowledge of the green cross code, so make sure you’ve got your wits about you!

Sunset - Wastwater

England’s deepest lake, with an average depth of around 80 metres. It’s bordered by Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain )at its northeastern end), but parts of the lake are below sea level - it’s got both extremes all in one beautiful location. The view is so beautiful that it won a public vote in 2007 to be named as Britain’s Best View.

You’re going to want to follow the road along the western shore of the lake, where you can scout for compositions. Favourites look towards the north with Scafell Pike looming large in the background, Great Gable being frame across the lake and the screes on the steep slopes, which have been formed by millions of years of geological activity.

You’ll usually find Wast Water much quieter than spots like Windermere and Derwentwater owing to its much more remote location.

Top tips for day two:

Check the weather to see if you’re in luck with a calm day at Buttermere, if not, pack your ND filters to try and smooth out some of that water and to get some movement in any clouds. Pack some variation in your lenses - wide angles to capture some stunning pano’s and dramatic shots and then something longer to get some compression in layers in the shots along Honister Pass.

I’d rely recommend doing the circular walk around Buttermere. The views are incredible and that walk is a great way to find more compositions and work up and appetite for some cake in the village!

Day Three

Morning - Rydal Water and Rydal Cave

Park in the village and follow the signs! The path to Rydal Cave is well way marked and provides great views over Grasmere, Rydal Water and Grasmere village.

This is not natural cave, but was made by quarrying in during the 19 Century and were part of the Loughrigg Fell Slate Quarry, which provided stone for building.

Inside the cave you’ll find a cathedral like structure which provides a home for bats, the water in the pool makes an idea home for frogs and newts if that’s your kind of thing.

The water inside the cave can be crossed by stepping stones, which create a great leading line, but if you want to shoot this, go off season or when you can see it isn’t busy. This cave is not a hidden gem, and as such it does get very busy, especially during peak tourist season.

Looking out of the cave, lots of the surrounding vistas can be framed in an almost window-like composition, using the cave entrance as a natural frame.

Once you’re done here, I would recommend heading down into Grasmere village and getting in the queue for gingerbread - I can almost guarantee it’s the best gingerbread you have ever tasted, all served by people in traditional costume!

Daytime - Tarn Hows

Once you’ve filled up on Gingerbread, hop in the car for a drive of around 20 minutes to Tarn Hows. The closest car park is at National Trust Tarn Hows. Free parking here if you’re a national trust member. There’s a lovely circular walk here and it looks amazing during the autumn. It’s about 1.5 hour walk around the water with compositions aplenty and some great reflections if you catch it in the right weather.

Once you’re done here, you can head back into Grasmere or can choose something different and head to Ullswater.

Sunset - Choose from Grasmere or Ullswater

Time to catch that final golden hour! Your choice here is between a 30 minute drive back to Grasmere or you can opt for a longer drive (around an hour) up to Ullswater at Pooley Bridge. My preference here is for Pooley Bridge, especially if you’re leaving the area to go home as it’s much close to the M6 and to the Rheghed Centre, where there is a place which sells the most incredible ice cream (the rhubarb and custard is my favourite, or if you’re feeling adventurous, how about brown bread and lemon curd?!).

The sunsets at Ullswater are incredible if the conditions are favourable, and stopping in Pooley Bridge puts you in amongst a lot of amenities, including pubs and restaurants as well as small number of other shops.

The famous composition here is The Duke of Portland’s Boathouse, it looks great in the golden hour light, but the views across the Far Eastern Fells (including Arthur’s Pike, Bonscale Pike, Loadpot Hill, Hallin Fell, and Place Fell) are fantastic and the people using the lake for paddle-boarding, swimming, boating etc. can provide a real sense of scale and drama in your images.

Once you’re finished shooting, I would say that after today, you have definitely earned a spot in one of the local hostelries (you’ll need this if it’s winter as it gets really cold!) and a bite to eat before you head home for the day.

<— Paddle-boarding at last light, Ullswater; this image is available to buy as a print in my shop

Final Words:

So there you have it, a 3 day photography itinerary for the Lake District, which you can complete all in one go, or split across several days or visit to The Lake District. I have listed some of my favourites in here, so I hope you have found this useful and that you enjoy making images in this incredible landscape just as much as I do.