Photography
Inspiring views
With the most inspiring views in Britain, it’s little wonder that National Parks attract so many photographers.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for the perfect panoramic, or want to capture those idyllic moments for your Instagram feed, you can let your imagination run wild in National Parks.
Breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage mean you’re never far away from your next great picture opportunity!
A photographer’s paradise
All National Parks are blessed with amazing vistas and scenery, but there are certain spots that really are a photographer’s dream – offering beautiful backdrops that could grace the cover of any outdoor magazine. Here are 10 of our favourites!
Castell Carreg Cennen, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
On the far western edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and perched atop an imposing promontory is Castell Carreg Cennen. The castle’s Lord of the Rings type setting provides a 365-degree unobstructed view of the surrounding rolling hills and Cennen Valley.
Burgh Castle, Broads National Park.
Enjoy the sweeping view over rivers and marshes from Burgh Castle, the remains of a 3rd century Roman fort that once held cavalry to repel Saxon raids on the east and southern coasts of Britain.
Haytor Rocks, Dartmoor National Park.
Climb to the top of Haytor Rocks for one of the most iconic panoramas in Britain. The area offers stunning views of Dartmoor National Park and beyond, to the far distant Devonshire coast.
Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor.
Dunkery Beacon, the summit of Dunkery Hill, is the highest point on Exmoor (and Somerset) at 1,702 ft. On a clear day you can see across the Bristol Channel to Wales. In as much, one can see three National Parks from this spot: Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons. A good-quality camera lens might also afford one a view of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park!
Brockhole on Windermere, Lake District.
Incredible views are surprisingly accessible in the Lake District, with one of the area’s most scenic spots being found at the Brockhole Visitor Centre. From the centre’s garden terrace one has stunning views of both Windermere Lake and the Langdale Pike mountains.
‘An Ceann Mòr’ at Inveruglas, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.
Follow a path through the trees to this stunning, pyramid-shaped artwork installation where panoramic views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding mountains are revealed. Climb the 31 steps up to the top of the eight metre high viewpoint, sit and take in the stunning elevated views.
Ober Heath, New Forest.
Locally known as one of the best places to spot red deer, Ober Heath is a breathtaking expanse of heath land along the Lymington River. And even if you don’t spot any deer, it’s a good bet you’ll run into a few of the ponies that are a famous fixture of New Forest National Park.
Alwinton, Northumberland.
The village of Alwinton is in the heart of the seemingly outlaw bit of country that is the border between England and Scotland. In truth, the region is one of the most charming and civilised you’ll find but a walk through the surrounding Cheviot Hills puts one in touch with the whiskey smugglers and drovers of its faraway past. The hills offer sweeping panoramas of a rural idyll you may not ever want to leave.
Ravenscar, North York Moors.
The big skies of the North York Moors National Park embrace some dramatic landscapes, but for a beat-that panorama locals plump for the view from the coastal heights of Ravenscar, looking across to Robin Hood’s Bay.
Blackdown and Butser Hill, South Downs.
The highest points in South Downs National Park are Blackdown in Sussex (920 ft.) and Butser Hill in Hampshire (885 ft). Offering spectacular views of coast and country, these amazing views of Southern England having served as artists’ inspirations for centuries.
Did you know?
Capturing the beauty of National Parks on your mobile phone
You don’t need an expensive camera to secure a winning shot of a National Park. There’s so much intricate detail a simple smartphone can now capture – and we know people have lots of fun sharing their snaps on social media and creating their own pictorial and video stories! Here are five simple tips to make the most out of photographing a National Park on your mobile:
Look for good light for a great image – the first thing you should do is look around you and look at where the natural light is coming from. Avoid the phone’s flash setting if you can!
Don’t zoom – you’ll lose valuable resolution!
Improve your composition with the Rule of Thirds – this useful concept states that the subject should not always sit in the middle of the frame. By placing them towards the corners of the frame makes a more interesting composition.
Keep it steady – don’t take a picture while your phone is moving. If you can invest in a small tripod!
A selfie isn’t always best – if someone else is around, don’t be afraid to ask if they’ll take your portrait. It will look more natural and maybe just feel a little more timeless!
Always remember to follow the Countryside Code and never put yourself in danger when taking photographs in National Parks. Happy snapping!
They may look like windmills, but in The Broads National Park, they are actually windpumps.
Rather than grinding flour, they were built to pump water from the marshes, helping to drain the land for agriculture and grazing.
Today, these distinctive structures are part of what makes the Broads landscape so recognisable.
And while this is a story from the Broads, it’s one that can be found across all 15 of our National Parks - landscapes shaped by people finding ways to adapt to live and work within their landscape. Something which still remains the case today.
Did you know that one of these mills is said to be haunted? Comment down below which one you think it is 👇
In photograph order:
📍1. St Benets Mill
📍2. Horsey Mill
📍3. Turf Fen Mill
📍4. Thurne Mill
📍5. Bograve Mill
#NorfolkBroads #NationalPark #Windpumps
✨🌙 Look up!
With a partial solar eclipse taking place tonight across the UK, we’re reminded about how important it is for our dark skies to be protected. Our National Parks are home to some of the best places in the UK to enjoy them, due to low levels of light pollution.
These incredible photos capture another recent celestial phenomenon that has been on display for stargazers and is peaking tonight - the Perseid meteor shower.
The sightings were captured in @northyorkmoors - home to one of the UK’s largest areas of protected dark sky.
🌟Tag us in your eclipse photos across our National Parks. Just be sure to follow safe viewing and photography guidance while you snap!
📷 1. Perseid meteor shower at Skelton Tower by Richard Horsman.
📷 2. Milky Way and Perseid meteor shower at Sutton Bank by Russ Norman.
📍North York Moors National Park #DarkSkies #SolarEclipse #Perseid #MeteorShower
Just goats being goats. 🐐
These incredible animals call the Valley of Rocks in @exmoornp home - scaling walls and cliffs, grazing on the rich meadows and, occasionally, blocking the roads!
They’re a wonderful reminder of why our National Parks are so important, providing a home for such a diverse range of wildlife.
Have you ever spotted one?
📷 Exmoor National Park
#ValleyOfRocks #Exmoor #Goats #NationalPark
Look out for us at the cinema. 🎬🌳
Our latest Wild Spaces episode, screening before selected films, takes you to Northumberland National Park. Their team, alongside farmers, landowners and volunteers, is working together to create healthier, more resilient landscapes through woodland creation and hedgerow planting.
It’s a story of partnership, long-term thinking, and the small actions that can have a lasting impact.
Find out more about the project and watch the episode via the link in our bio. 🔗
@northumberlandnationalpark
#WildSpaces #Northumberland #TreePlanting
💭You might have heard of peatland, but what exactly is it and why does it matter so much?
Peatlands are our natural climate allies. They store vast amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and preserve thousands of years of archaeological and cultural history.
Some of the UK`s most important peatlands are found within our National Parks, making them critical places for tackling the climate and nature crises.
Across the UK`s National Parks, peatland restoration projects are helping damaged peatlands recover, benefiting both nature and people.
📍Dartmoor National Park
#NationalParks #Peatlands #NatureRecovery
Our National Parks tell the stories of the people and places that came before us.
A new Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in the National Parks of England, Scotland and Wales has launched.
Bringing together the 15 National Parks and heritage partners, the statement sets out a shared commitment to protecting the historic places and features that help shape our landscapes.
From ancient monuments and archaeological sites to historic buildings and traces of past generations, our National Parks are home to thousands of years of history.
Together, we’re working to care for these special places so their stories can continue to be discovered, valued and enjoyed for generations to come.
Read the full statement via the link in our bio 🔗
#NationalParks #UKHistory #Heritage
Hello, August. 💚
Some habits we’re holding on to this month, for our National Parks and for ourselves.
Little changes can have a lasting impact when it comes to caring for our 15 special places.
What will you be taking into August?
#UKNationalParks #UKOutdoors
Take a moment to pause in this ancient woodland 🌿
Even a small moment in nature can help us to feel calmer, more connected and refreshed.
For centuries, National Parks across the country have given people the space to reconnect with the natural world. Moments like this are why these places matter, and why we must continue to protect them.
📍This beautiful footage was captured in @exmoornp.
#Exmoor #UKWoodland #NationalParksUK
