Where and when to Photograph some of the Iconic Trees of the Lake District

Who doesn't like to photograph trees, I know I sure do along with great cloud formations, mountains and beautiful lakeland lakes. So in this article I have tried to help Lake District and Landscape Photographers seek out the locations and the best time of year to photograph some of the most iconic trees in the Lake District. This article could be the size of a small book if all of the trees that are special in this national park were listed, so I have tried to keep the list small with a few that mean alot to photographers and fell walkers alike.

Image : Sunrise through the mist on Rydal Water Prints available

RYDAL WATER GRID REFERENCE (NY 35294 06413)

HOW TO GET THERE

Rydal Water is located by the side of the A591 between Ambleside and Grasmere. The nearest post code to the location is LA22 9SE. There are two large car parks that were once owned by the National Trust but are now pay and display. When leaving the car parks walk back towards Ambleside along a narrow footpath that eventually leads to a more substantial tarmaced path. When you reach a metal gate you can see the lone tree just a few meters from the shore line.

WHAT TO SHOOT

This tree is located on a small island close to the shoreline and in my opinion is best shot in the autum as it produces beautiful orange foliage that lights up when the early morning sun hits the lake. There is also a bank of beautiful trees that make for a perfect back drop. This is also a great location in winter when either the lake is frozen over or is covered by a layer of snow not touched by human feet. Early morning is best as the sun will be to your left and at a perfect angle for shadows and depth. Too late in the day then the sun becomes a problem with your exposure.

Image : Lakeside Gold at Grasmere Prints available

 GRASMERE GRID REFERENCE (NY 34325 06184)

HOW TO GET THERE

Grasmere Lake is just about a mile further down the road to Grasmere from the previous location Rydal Water. The nearest post code to the location is LA22 9SE. If you are lucky there are a few parking spaces just opposite Penny Rock Woods which is the location for this beautiful shot, if there are no places available then just carry on the A591 round a sharp right hand bend where you will find a further parking area suitable for about three cars. If these two parking areas are full then it's back to the two main parking areas as previously mentioned.

WHAT TO SHOOT

These trees were located in an area called Whitemoss Common which has now been re-named Penny Rock Woods. For me the best time to shoot these trees is in the autumn when the oranges and gold leaves are at their best. When you are driving along the A591 and see this spectacle it almost takes your breath away. In fact, if you just watch the traffic as cars pass this location you can physically see them slow down as the passengers take it all in. The trees are grouped on a mound overlooking Grasmere so once you have taken your shots then just walk along some of the many paths that lead you around the wood.  A great location especially with the autumn sunshine coming through the golden leaves.

Image : Frosty Evening, River Brathay Elterwater Prints available

RIVER BRATHAY GRID REFERENCE (NY 33899 03856)

HOW TO GET THERE

This particular location is along the River Brathay between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater. The nearest post code to the location is LS22 9NJ. Skelwith Bridge is on the A593 where there is some parking to the right of the Skelwith Bridge Hotel. After parking your car look for a small gap on the left hand side just beyond the hotel car park. The River Brathay is on your left so just follow the path along the river passing through some 'kissing gates'. The bank of trees are on the other side of the river with a back drop of The Langdale Pikes.

WHAT TO SHOOT

I don't know whether it's me or not but photographing trees always seems better in either the winter or autumn and this is no exception. The problem with this location is that you will not be on your own here. Over the last few years the River Brathay has become a magnet for photographers especially when autumn mist hangs above the river. This can be a stunning location for very little effort. This particular bank of trees seems to be located where the river slows down giving you an almost guaranteed reflection. If you can couple this with some autumn colour or snow then you are always on to a winner of this very popular location.

Image : Morning Mist on Buttermere Prints available

BUTTERMERE GRID REFERENCE (NY 17512 16455)

HOW TO GET THERE

Buttermere is on the B5289 and there are several ways to get here. The nearest post code is CA13 9XA. If you are coming from the north then head for Lorton and just follow the signs to Buttermere. You will drive along Crummock Water before you get to Buttermere. If coming from the south then you can go over Honister Pass and drop down into Buttermere or coming from Keswick / Bassenthwaite area then you can go over Whinlatter Pass and again drop down into Buttermere. Which ever way you choose it will be worth it. Make your way to the Fish Inn and continue on the path to the left hand side of the hotel. When reaching the lake turn left through a gate and the tree is about a hundred metres along the path.

WHAT TO SHOOT

Whenever Iconic Trees are mentioned then I would imagine the first destination that comes to mind for most Lake District Photographers is Buttermere. The next three images are all around Buttermere all of which can be captured in a single day when doing the Buttermere Lake Circuit. I suspect the image opposite is the most famous of all Lake District Trees - situated on the north bank of Buttermere it has the perfect back drop of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. Best taken early in the morning before the sun has chance to make exposure quite difficult. Not the tree it once was but still worthy of spending some time here getting your own version of this majestic tree. 

Image : Sunburst at Buttermere Prints available

HOW TO GET THERE

Following on from the location above - just continue left along the well trodden path with the lake on your right. Evenually you will come to a sharp bend to the left with a large tree on the bend. Go through the gate with this tree on your left and the lake on your right. Follow this path for abot two hundred yards where you can now see the tree in the rise to your left.

WHAT TO SHOOT

This tree is precariously perched in the cliff side with great views of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks in the distance.  You can either stay low and shoot upwards like the image or climb round the back and get level with the tree, There is a bench at the top which also makes great foreground interest. Try and get here in April / May time as the rising sun can give you a great sunburst either througfh the tree or the edge of the mound. I much prefer to shoot this tree now rather than the one above due to its condition and fabulous location.

Image : Buttermere Pines Prints available

HOW TO GET THERE

The Buttermere Pines are located on the southern shore of Buttermere and can be reached just by continuing on the same path towards Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks.

WHAT TO SHOOT

The Buttermere Pines or its local name of The Sentinels is a breath taking row of pine trees that turn a beautiful shade of orange during the autumn months. The image can be taken from the road side or from the path and is better taken some distance from the trees. Too close and the image loses its grandeur in my humble opinion. This image makes for a great panorama as well so think about how you are going to achieve it. Either stitching a few images together or by taking a single image with the option of cropping in post processing. Which ever way you choose you won't be dissappointed. Of course try and get Char Cottage on the right hand side in the shot as well as this completes the image.

Image : Reflections at Friars Crag Bay Derwentwater Prints available

DERWENTWATER GRID REFERENCE (NY 26386 22254)

HOW TO GET THERE

The next three images will be from Derwentwater which is located on the edge of Keswick one of the more busier Lake District Locations. You will not be alone at this first location as it's a very busy spot for photographers and visitors alike. The nearest post code is  CA12 5DJ. From Keswick's Theartre by the lake walk towards the lake where the Keswick launches are moored over night. Continue walking with the lake on your right until you come to a promontory called Friars Crag - this is a famous spot for couples to ask for their partners hand in marriage. Drop down left of Friars Crag and through a gate to a bay where several different  images can be taken.

WHAT TO SHOOT

The obvious shot to take is of Friars Crag, it's a great image to capture and one you need for your portfolio. I must admit I do like this image of the trees coming down from Friars Crag as well as the large trees to the left of the path. This image can be fabulous when Derwentwater is flat calm in the bay and the trees are beautifully reflected. Again this is best shot either in autumn when the trees on Friars Crag have turned orange or in winter when the branches are bare making the reflection more dramatic.

Image : Reflecting on The Jaws of Borrowdale Prints available

HOW TO GET THERE

This image is taken from Friars Crag and I think it must be in everyone's portfolio. Go to the end of Friars Crag and try and capture the two beautiful trees either side of one of the best placed benches in the Lake District.

WHAT TO SHOOT

I don't think I need to tell you really what to shoot as the image is quite obvious. I would suggest getting there quite early in the morning as this spot gets very busy and you don't really want people looking out towards The Jaws of Borrowdale although with people's permission it can make for a great shot. Try and capture Catbells in the image as this is one mountain people have to climb when they come to Keswick.

Image : The lone tree at Otterbield Bay Derwentwater Prints available

HOW TO GET THERE

This is the last of the Derwentwater Trees. You can get here by walking around Derwentwater towards the western side or by going to Portinscale heading for the lake and then walking anti-clockwise round the lake until you come to this less known tree. Either way this is a reasonable size walk but well worth the effort.

WHAT TO SHOOT

It's very hard to do this image justice. I like the shot you can get looking towards Skiddaw and Blencathra. I do like some background interest and these two mountains give you interest by the bucket load. There are a couple of vantage points for this image. One from the shorline looking upwards or do a bit of a scramble up to tree level and take towards the northern fells.

Image : Autumn surrounds St. Bega's Church Bassenthwaite Prints available

BASSENTHWAITE GRID REFERENCE (NY 22671 28757)

HOW TO GET THERE

Bassenthwaite Lake can be located between Keswick and Bothel on the A591.  The nearest post code is CA12 4QD. Drive for a few miles north from Keswick along the A591 and when you are about half way along the lake look out for a hair pin bend on the left sign posted St. Bega's Church. Drive for a few minutes until you come to a pull in on the left next to the church sign post. Just walk for a few yards through the gate towards the church.

WHAT TO SHOOT

Just to the right of the Church is one of the most beautifully shaped trees I have ever seen. The colour at the end of autumn is stunning  especially when you get some of the fallen leaves in a circle beneath the tree. During spring time the whole area is covered in snow drops and daffodils making this a photographic location at any time of the year.

Image : Through the gates to the Setrah Hill Tree at Bassenthwaite Prints available

BASSENTHWAITE GRID REFERENCE (NY 18710 36299)

HOW TO GET THERE

Continue along the A591 driving past the Castle Inn Hotel until you come to a sign post to Skiddaw View Holiday Park. Turn left here and drive past the park for about a hundred yards. You can see this special tree beautifully placed on the summit of Setrah Hill. This is in a private field so take a long lens with you. The nearest post code is CA13 9SS.

WHAT TO SHOOT

I happen to know the farmer and his wife who own the land and are good friends of mine. They allow me to go onto their field to shoot this fabulous shaped tree. As I live close by I know when there is going to be a great sunrise or sunset which makes the image, so you can get images like this with very little effort. The old gates and fences make great foreground interest which still can be captured from the small road oppposite the tree.

Image : The Wastwater Boathouse Prints available

WASTWATER BOATHOUSE GRID REFERENCE (NY 14598 03967)

HOW TO GET THERE

Make for the A595 and drive to Gosforth. The nearest post code is CA20 1ET. Continue driving through Gosforth making your way to Wastwater. Look out for a sign post on the left for Nether Wasdale and contiue on this road until you come to a car park. Leave the car park and walk to the left and continue walking towards the left of the lake. The boathouse is tucked amongst some trees.

WHAT TO SHOOT

For me the boathouse and trees should be shot in May time when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom with beautiful purple flowers. Pick your spot but always trying to frame the boathose with colour. Go on a really calm day when reflections are guaranteed.

CONCLUSION

The above listed 12 trees are some of my favourites, I'm sure you have your own, but I thought I'd give you some ideas of where you can shoot next in this beautiful part of our country. If you would like to look at any of the purchase options then just click on any of the links highlighted in red then click the bag icon to view all of the purchase options for any of these fabulous tree images which I'm sure will make a great addition to your home.