Help/advice on trip to the UK

[Bart Heirweg]

I was wondering if some could help me with the following. I am planning a trip to the UK the first 2 weeks of june. I am still not sure where I would go, since it would be my first visit to the UK (at least for photography).

I could go to the South West and visit the area of Cornwall, land's end, Exmoor national park, Dartmoor national park, ... and the second week I was thinking of going to Wales to visit Pembrokeshire coast, Gower area, ...
The second option would be to go to the North to visit the Lake district, Northumberland area, Yorkshire Dales, ...
Maybe these area's are to large and maybe I need to stick to one or two area's?
I also thought about Scotland.

I have two weeks and I would mainly focus on landscape photography and maybe a little bit of wildlife and bird photography. What would be the best choise with most photographic oppurtunities, difference in landscapes, most dramatic light, ...
Would there be any problems in finding bead and breakfast, small hotels or camping in these area's without booking anything in advance this time of year?
Is it ok to travel alone?

Any comments, tips or remarks are welcome.
Thanks.

[David Sutton]

I was there this time last year, and never had any trouble finding a place to stay, as long as I started looking by 4.30. So armed with cell phone, b&b guides and keeping my eyes open, usually found something around 25 to 35 pounds quickly. BUT, check when the summer holidays start there as that could be a real problem.
The great thing about travelling alone is that if you don't like where you are, you can get in the car and drive across the country. I was photographing the Brecon Beacons and various standing stones, and ended up on the Isle of Lewis shooting the stones at Callanish. South Wales was a good warm up, though I have to say the light in southern England was really something.
For landscapes in Wales and Scotland have a look at Allen Lloyd's website:
http://www.allenlloyd.co.uk/.
Oh, I spend at least an hour every day lost and with a white van trying to penetrate my exhaust pipe. I think next time I'll get satnav. And no one will tell you, but the speed limit on motorways is 70mph. Hope you have as good a time as I did, David

[rvanr]

Where to go is not that difficult, the areas you mention are fine. You could spend a lot of time researching other places, find some good ones and make the choice more difficult. Virtually everywhere in the Southwest (Dorset, Devon Cornwall) and Wales (Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons) and the Lake District (very busy) will offer good opportunities for landscape photography. My advice would be to buy a couple of guidebooks on these areas (I find them more reliable than the Internet)and choose what is most interesting to you.

I would leave Scotland for another year, or spend the whole two weeks there. The West Coast is fantastic. I am going up to Sky for a week next Friday. One thing to bear in mind in Scotland are the midges. These little mosquitoes can make your life hell, especially when camping and if they like your blood. June/August is peak time for midges, I only went to Scotland once during that time....

Accommodation will be OK if you are not too demanding, the better places will have been booked. If you go without booking accommodation you also need to be prepared to spend a bit of time in Tourist Offices trying to find accommodation. That would be the reason to book in advance for me, I would not want to spend half an hour to an hour to find somewhere to stay every time I moved accommodation.

[LoisWakeman]

As a southwest resident, I am prejudiced! Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as most of the Devon/Dorset/Somerset/Cornwall coast (except Land's End which is a dismal tourist trap)  are full of opportunities - as long as you don't pick a wet fortnight! June is usually better than later in the summer -  but global warming seems to be sending the weather even more chaotic than usual.

You will be perfectly safe on your own, yes. (Unless you plan to hang about in dubious areas of the big cities!) Accommodation needs some planning: some tourist offices offer "book a bed ahead" services so you can get the following day's accommodation sorted out - perhaps less stressful. Otherwise the end of each day is spent worrying about finding somewhere.

You will be hard pushed to fit in everything you mention in a fortnight: although GB is a very small place, short distances often take a long time if you are used to travel by high-speed major roads. Everywhere you mention is worthy of attention, as is the North East coast, East Anglia (great open skies), the border country of England/Wales (Shropshire/Hereford etc.)...

I agree with the last poster that Scotland is worthy of its own visit. The Northwest Highlands must be one of the most magical places on earth if you pick reasonable weather - but not in June because of the midges. You could spend a month and still not be tired of the bens, lochs and coastline. If I was rich enough, I'd hire a camper van in Inverness and do just that - travel around as the mood takes me.

HTH

[Bart Heirweg]

My advice would be to buy a couple of guidebooks on these area

Which ones do you recommend? Is there a series or something specially for photography?

[rvanr]

Which ones do you recommend? Is there a series or something specially for photography?
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Just googled this: [a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/PIP-Travel-Photography-Guide-England/dp/1861084927]http://www.amazon.com/PIP-Travel-Photograp...d/dp/1861084927[/url]

No idea if they are any good. Standard guides like The Rough Guide or Lonely Planet are good too.

[Colin Griffiths]

Scotland is awesome but needs a seperate visit, also spring/autumn provide the best light and no midges. Lakes District is busy and again can be hazy in the summer

Pembrokeshire coastline is fantastic and will be at it's best early June with hedgerows and wild flowers in abundance. Light is good in the evenings (west coast) Lots of history, rural  and it is very quiet too.

[papa v2.0]

Hi

well ive lived in Prembrokeshire  (Manobier) for 4 years and then moved back to Inverness for 32 years so i know both ares well.

As for the highlands of scotland  i know most of it very well so if you want any advice just shout.
I worked in colour reproduction and particularly on the repro of tourist accommodation guides etc for about 15 years. so have a lot of local knowledge places to go places to stay etc.
Know scotland pretty well and theres only a few place ive not been to.

scanned thousands of trannies of scotalnd so know lots of good 'picture opportunities'.

Lived in orkney of three years before coming to London so i know that place well too, worked in a local newspaper so again lots of local knowledge.

but to do a south Britain and a north Britain in two weeks will be pushing it but it can be done if your organised and have an idea of what you want to see.

www.visitscotland.com/

Pembroke is lovely as well lots of castles and beaches.

So if you need any help just contact me, ill glad to help if i can.

[mahleu]

have you considered ireland? You can get flights for next to nothing on ryanair or easy jet. If you do go pretty much everywhere is great. It's like England 50 years ago, lots of rural farmland. Galway is very nice as well.

[Stuarte]

You should check out The Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, which is west-ish.

Somerset is a big county with lots of birding opportunities - check with this guy..

I moved to near Bath from Holland in 2004 and I'm still grooving on all the gorgeous countryside round this area, much of it relatively sparsely populated and charmingly rural - Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.

[Bart Heirweg]

Ireland is not an option. I want to take my own car so probably I will take the ferry from Calais in France to Dover and from there I will drive to where I want to go. I am want to take my time so I will visit only one area so that could be Scotland, The North of the South west.

@papa v2.0 thank you for the offer. I will first do some more research and get back to you once if decided wich area I want to visit. All options look good actually.

Would the midges be too much the first two weeks of june?

[JMCP]

Hi Bart,

I live in Scotland and the midges are not that bad unless you are in areas that are damp and near hedges, trees, water etc.. If there is a bit of a breeze then there will be no midges, it is often on the very still days/nights that they are a nuisance and we don't get that many still days in Scotland. I certainly wouldn't let them put you off visiting.

A spray that is pretty effective that a lot of golfers, fishermen etc.. use to repel the midges is made by Avon and it is called Skin SO Soft, it is much more pleasant to use than most of the other sprays and much cheaper.


Cheers John

Ireland is not an option. I want to take my own car so probably I will take the ferry from Calais in France to Dover and from there I will drive to where I want to go. I am want to take my time so I will visit only one area so that could be Scotland, The North of the South west.

@papa v2.0 thank you for the offer. I will first do some more research and get back to you once if decided wich area I want to visit. All options look good actually.

Would the midges be too much the first two weeks of june?
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[sojournerphoto]

Hi Bart,

I live in Scotland and the midges are not that bad unless you are in areas that are damp and near hedges, trees, water etc.. If there is a bit of a breeze then there will be no midges, it is often on the very still days/nights that they are a nuisance and we don't get that many still days in Scotland. I certainly wouldn't let them put you off visiting.

A spray that is pretty effective that a lot of golfers, fishermen etc.. use to repel the midges is made by Avon and it is called Skin SO Soft, it is much more pleasant to use than most of the other sprays and much cheaper.
Cheers John
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Ah yes, skin so soft - necessary equipment on Isaly and Jura once you get past about March... nicer than deet as well.

Scotland is wonderful and there is a whole set of areas to visit just in Scotland, quite apart from the rest of the UK. One thing though is that you can be very weather dependent in Scotland and you could have 2 weeks of rain (not that we ever have in all fairness:))

Mike

[DavidJ]

Snowdonia and North Wales can if the weather and light is right give great photo oportunites. Have a look at the work of Pierino Algieri http://www.algieri-images.co.uk/ or Steve Lewis http://www.landscapesofwales.co.uk/ They are both really friendly guys and I am sure would be happy to give advice on locations if you are wanting to come to North Wales.

David

[Bart Heirweg]

I decided to go to Wales and visit Snowdonia and Pembrokshire National park. Anyone who has tips/advice on "must see" places in these area's?

[marcwilson]

Most of snowdonia is really great...from the slate mountains near blaenau to the top of snowdon itself...certainly worth the walk!
I've not found anywhere I would recommend yet to stay in llanberris which is at the foot of the mountain but...and this is important after a hard days carrying gear up and down the mountain...the Lasagne at Pete's Eats is great...a nice relaxing cafe!

Marc

[jjj]

If visiting Snowdonia/North Wales/Angelsea [very nice] and you fancy a visit to South Wales, the quickest way is actually to go back into England and then head towards Swansea on M4. If speed is less of an issue, driving down through Wales will  be far more interesting.
You also mentioned the Gower in your OP. It was the first area in the UK to be designated 'An Area of Outstanding National Beauty' and was a wonderful place to grow up. Very good for coastal photography, with some fantastic beaches, sandy or rocky.
But my general advice would be to spend some decent  time in each place, rather than try and get to lots of places.
Swansea the city next to the Gower is pig ugly, but the Gower and Swansea Bay more than makes up for it.
My mum rents holiday accomodation on the start of the Gower, but usually it's for a week, but she can be flexible. She lives here
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=opera&r...m=1&sa=N&tab=wl

Some Gower/Wales links
http://www.walking.visitwales.com/server.php?show=nav.3830
http://www.enjoygower.com
http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk   -   info regarding where to stay in Wales

From my website
This is the South Gower Coast
http://www.imajes.com/cycling/cycling_futt...ography_01.html
http://www.imajes.com/places/places_futt_f...ography_19.html


As for Scotland, ugh midges!! I prefer to go in winter.
I'd do South West and South Wales for one trip.
North Wales and the Lakes for another.
Tthat's to get a basic feel for the places, each location easily could fill two weeks
There's also the Peak District, [ http://www.imajes.com/places/places_futt_f...ography_13.html ] where I live now, which is apparently the second most popular national park in the world! But it's still pretty empty most of the time.

[pete_truman]

Loads of good advice here so will not repeat. A few suggestions though.

To scout out locations.
There's the English Tourist Board and almost every county has its own tourist information office, offices and importantly web sites. Use these to get an idea of the area. e.g.
www.enjoyengland.com
www.visitbritain.com

Each county or area can usually be found easily using Google. Try using the county name (e.g. Derbyshire) and tourism as search phrase (e.g. "Derbyshire Tourism") This will rapidly provide a list of local sites to visit - but will of course be the most popular. These are also a good place to start for bed and breakfast accommodation.

To get a bit more specific about photographic locations there's TrekEarth - I'm always amazed at how far people have been! There are also many photographers who will focus on a specific area, so Google for area + photography.

Schools holidays do not start until late July in England although Scotland is a week or two earlier, so shouldn't be too much of an issue with booking, although many areas do get very busy - the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Devon and Cornwall amongst others. Do book in advance when/if you can. For camping it is usually possible to just turn up.

Suggest you use Google Earth or similar to get measure of distance between locations - I assume you will be driving? Whilst the UK is not huge the transport network can be dreadful and it is regular for journeys to be delayed by an hour or more if using motorways. There are just too many cars crammed into a small space, so driving longer distances is rarely a pleasure. You might want to constrain distances between week 1 and 2 to maximise time. I suggest working on a basis of 50 miles per hour average speed to get idea of time. Cornwall to Scotland is a huge drive by UK standards!

Finally, do remember to bring waterproof clothing though as we've had some rather wet summers recently!

[MarkL]

My suggestions as a brit would def be Devon/Cornwall though in the summer the sun rises and sets over the land in some places. I would also look at the NE coast, Robin Hood bay etc. but I love seascapes. You have the highest chance of good weather and so productive photography in the south.

The lake district is really great IF the weather co-operates, you have good knowledge of the area but as a one off trip I might skip it. Some parts get over 200 days of rain a year, even when it doesn't rain overcast skies are no good. I've lived not far away for a year and can count on one hand the amount of weekend days the weather has been perfect for photography.

Getting from the SW to the north will be a long drive, 6+ hours.

[Paul Kay]

I decided to go to Wales and visit Snowdonia and Pembrokshire National park. Anyone who has tips/advice on "must see" places in these area's?
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I live about 1/2 mile outside the national park and have lived in the area for ~25 years. The places I would recommend are numerous, but highlights could include the Aberglaslyn Pass and Nantmor, the Nantgwynant Valley (both near Beddgelert) and Cwm Bychan behind Harlech (very windy single track roads but worth slow driving - beautiful stunted oak woodland and the 'Roman Steps' take you up into the Rhinogs. Further south and there is Cadair Idris, again well worth exploring and taking time to visit Cregennan (National Trust) towards the west of Cadair. Northwards I can suggest Coedydd Aber - east of Bangor - an intriguing valley, once highly populated but now deserted and a National Nature Reserve - this also leads into the least visited mountain range - the Carneddau - wild and quite desolate with some mountain ponies still living there. Near Betws-y-Coed is the Fairy Glen - much appreciated in Victorian times - a gorge with water sculpted rocks (see attached) - well worth a visit.

Be aware that Snowdonia can be seen as benign (~3000feet mountains) but it is subject to weather changes and should be treated appropriately.[attachment=6733:attachment]