Staying at home this summer?
No need to apologise, there are countless reasons to stay in the UK, not just a pandemic. For history and scenery, it can rightfully take its place amongst the great landscapes and attractions of the world.
It’s said the camera never lies, but we all know with clever lighting, the right angle and a few tricks it can stretch the truth a bit.
But there are places in Britain where you don’t need hi-tech wizardry. You’re guaranteed to get a superb image, ‘cos the real thing is simply stunning.
Here are 15 beautiful places in Britain where you won’t use any of Pork Belly’s tips to get that perfect shot.
• 9 tips for taking great travel photos
St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Adrift from the mainland but bustling with its own, unique life, St Michael’s Mount can only be reached on foot at certain tide times. The rest of the day, it’s marooned in a mirror-glass smooth pool of water, creating perfect reflections under stormy or clear skies.
On the island itself, the village and harbour are almost unbearably picturesque.
Polperro, Cornwall
A fishing harbour on the Heritage Coastline of South Cornwall, it’s one of the prettiest villages you’ll ever discover.
Houses tumble down steep ravine sides to the sheltered harbour where fishermen and smugglers once plied their trade. Upstream, there are woodland walks and clifftop paths that take in the whole Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Tenby, South Wales
Miles of sandy beaches and medieval town walls are the main attractions of Tenby in Pembrokeshire. Its name in Welsh means ‘fortlet of the fish’ and seafaring plays a major part in its history.
A short boat ride gets you to tiny Caldey Island, or you can walk at low tide to Ynis Catrin and the remains of a 19th century fort.
Seven Sisters, East Sussex
A series of chalk cliffs marching along the coastline into the distance is the classic view everyone wants. You get this by walking not on the Country Park itself but by wandering along the river estuary to the Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven.
But up on the cliffs you get bracing winds and spectacular views out to sea. If you don’t fancy the walk, you can catch a glimpse of the cliffs and Beachy Head on a local bus route
• Beautiful bus rides of Britain
Brighton
Funfairs, carousels and candyfloss make a pretty picture.
The beach isn’t the most scenic but the iconic piers and odd Prince’s palace of the Royal Pavilion are a photographer’s dream.
Devil’s Dyke, West Sussex
A V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way, the site has been popular with tourists since the late 19th century. It’s not glacial but is the result of snowmelt and soil erosion during the last Ice Age.
Or if you prefer, the legend says the devil was digging a trench to try to flood all the churches, but a woman lit a candle which caused a rooster to crow and the devil to abandon his work, thinking dawn was near. The last shovel of earth he threw over his shoulder fell into the sea, forming the Isle of Wight.
Richmond Park, Surrey
Originally a deer park for Charles I, it’s the largest of London’s eight Royal parks with wide open spaces, grasslands and woodland walks.
Herds of deer still graze the 2,500 acres. More recently, it’s become famous as the location for the video of Fenton the dog chasing deer, with his hapless owner running behind, screaming out his name.
Oxford
The city of dreaming spires, named by poet Matthew Arnold for its stunning architecture. Two rivers run through the city, giving rise to its name which derives from the Saxon Oxenaforda, meaning Ford of the Oxen.
The historic centre is quite small and easily explored on foot, with the main buildings situated around the University. And of course fans will be on the lookout for locations for Morse, Endeavour and Harry Potter.
• Fabulous film locations you can visit
Cambridge
Rivalry goes deeper than just the annual boat race, as Cambridge University was founded in 1209 by scholars who left Oxford after a dispute with the townspeople.
Touring the historic buildings, punting on the River Cam and climbing Great St Mary’s Tower for a bird’s eye view of King’s College Chapel are high on everyone’s Must Do list.
Norfolk
Quiet country lanes, peaceful waters, big skies and empty beaches, Norfolk’s picture perfect all year round.
For more hustle and bustle, Norwich is a lovely city, packed with history and interesting architecture. And who can resist traditional fish and chips or fresh-caught Cromer crabs?
• Paddle boat on the Norfolk Broads
Snowdonia, North Wales
823 square miles of amazing landscapes, Snowdonia is the largest National Park in Wales and houses dozens of picturesque villages like Betws y Coed and Beddgelertand.
It’s also where you’ll find the highest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon, rises 1,085 feet above sea level. If you’re not much of a hiker you can take the mountain railway which climbs to the summit to give you views across the sea to Ireland.
Mam Tor, Derbyshire
The Peak District is packed with picturesque towns and villages and wide sweeping moors.
Mam Tor is on the southern edge of the sandstone Dark Peak with a view of the limestone White Peak. The name means Mother Hill, because frequent landslips have left a multitude of “mini-hills” beneath.
Ullswater, Cumbria
The perfect example of a ribbon lake formed after the last Ice Age, Ullswater is probably the most beautiful lake in England and inspired poet William Wordsworth to write about the spring daffodils that grace its shoreline.
But go at any time of the year for amazing reflections in its limpid waters, although you may need to be up early before the popular watersports begin!
Loch Awe, Scottish Highlands
The third largest freshwater lake in Scotland Loch Awe is dotted with tiny islands and teems with trout and salmon.
The ruined Kilchurn Castle sits on its own peninsula at the north-eastern end, dominating the view.
Dunnotar, Stonehaven, Scotland
A romantic and haunting ruined castle perched on the edge of cliffs on the wild Scottish east coast. The rock its built on is 440 million years old and there’s been a stronghold on the site since the 3rd century.
So where will you be heading to get that perfect image of Britain?
Some images reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
Where to next?
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