When the winds are howling in an angry roar, the rain is lashing down in sheets and the temperature keeps you packed tightly in multiple layers, it can be easy to forget all the winter beauty of the Lake District. I’m thinking crisp, starry night skies, the pleasing crackle of frosty grass under your feet, and the dazzling clarity that allows you to see for miles.
Photographing the Lake District in Winter
As a Lake District landscape photographer, the winter months offer some of the best photography opportunities. Nothing sparks that child-like excitement like a sprinkling of snow on the mountains or – even better – a thick layer of white on the valley floor.
Winter photography can often take a lot of preparation. With inhospitable and changeable weather, you need to be prepared for all sorts of instances. Am I going to need thick gloves for the cold, a heavy raincoat, or even sunglasses for that bright winter sun? Then there’s the route planning and ensuring I’m taking the right precautions on the mountains where the slippy ground can make things more hazardous – especially when carrying heavy and expensive photography equipment.
However, the rewards are usually worth it. The Langdale Pikes for example – always glorious whatever the season – become even more magnificent in the winter. Their uneven and rugged peaks are highlighted by the addition of snow. A wander up to Blea Tarn is always a joy, with the Langdales reflected in the crystal clear water. And when there’s a bit of ice on the tarn, all the better! If you’re after an iconic image, then this is one of the best Lake District views.
But if you don’t have the skills or inclination to climb up high during the winter, there are are plenty of photo opportunities to be had in the valleys too. The iconic Buttermere Tree, with its bare branches reaching for the sky, seems more at home in the winter months. The unmistakeable hump of Fleetwith Pike rises behind, ensuring every Lake District lover knows exactly where they are.
There are plenty of other more anonymous but equally lovely locations to visit during a Lake District winter, too. I like to find a copse of trees or an open meadow for some dramatic black and white photos that really highlight the tranquillity and unearthliness of a scene.
Winter in Ullswater
In the Lake District, winter usually first arrives around Ullswater. This region is home to the Lake District’s third highest mountain, and one of its most beloved: Helvellyn. The infamous ridge walk of Striding Edge is even more perilous in winter and should only be attempted by experienced hikers in favourable conditions.
However, don’t feel put out if you can’t climb this spectacular mountain during the colder months: the views are still glorious from the valley and lakeside. Stand by Ullswater and look around you in winter and there’s a good chance you’ll see the highest peaks coated in snow. In fact, it’s so likely to snow here that there’s even a ski club on the mountain of Raise, just next to Helvellyn!
Sunrise and sunset
Winter doesn’t leave you with a lot of daylight hours to use your camera, especially in the shadows of the mountains. But pick your place well and you can get some spectacular sunrise and sunset shots – or even some night time photos. Of course, you will need a camera that’s suitable for taking low-light photos, but the dusky purples of evening and pink hues of early morning make for some incredible imagery.
If you’re in the Lake District, make sure you pick a location that’s not too crowded in by mountains, as you’ll lose sunlight more quickly and gain it later. Keswick, for example, is surrounded by mountains, but not so much so that you lose light. Head to the lakeshore of Derwentwater for some incredible scenes down into Borrowdale.
The River Brathay is another wonderful spot, its twists and turns creating a stunning picture through the valley. While some its banks are surrounded by woodland, it also passes through open fields that will give you a clearer view of the sun as it wakes up or goes to sleep.
Another place worth a mention, though it’s outside the boundaries of the Lake District, is the Cumbrian coast. The sunsets along here are truly breathtaking and the coolness of the winter air provides them with a more diverse and dazzling colour palette.
The best Lake District winter views
If you’re hoping to sit back and admire some winter views during your stay in the Lake District, here are some of my favourites: