The World Famous Duddon Valley Photographic Field Trip
Only a few miles from the honey pots of Grasmere and Ambleside lies the Duddon Valley. Benefiting from the absence of a Lake to attract those pesky tourists, it remains unspoiled by coach parties, caravans and tea shops.
Our photographic field trip has no specific itinerary, but to allow you to make the most of a short stay, your guide has researched a number of fine shooting locations. Accomodation is provided at The Low Wood.
1. Birks Bridge
Descending from the top of the valley, where Hardknott Pass meets Wrynose Pass at Cockley Beck, you soon come across Birks Bridge. This is a popular spot for photographers and tourists. After a lot of rain the water rushes through in a torrent. This photo was taken at relatively low water.
2. Views from Caw
There are many more fine photo opportunities as you continue to descend from Birks Bridge. In fact you may find you are in need of refreshment by the time you reach The Newfield Inn at Seathwaite. This would be recommended as you'll need to get into climbing mode to take the old track up to The Cross between Stickle Pike and Caw. If you take a detour up to the fine conical summit of Caw, you will be rewarded with views such as this.
3. Views from Stickle Pike
If you were to continue up to The Cross and then descend gently to Whistling Green, then you'd be advised to take your time and watch the fabulous changing light as the scenery can change dramatically. Here's one impression of the Duddon Valley looking back up towards Cockley Beck taken around 4pm in Autumn.
4. Wallabarra Crag
Now I'm not suggesting waiting long enough for entire seasons to pass you by, but here's another view from almost the same location taken on a crisp white Boxing Day morning. Wallabarra Crag looks magnificent.
5. Frith Hall
One option now is to loop back over Ulpha Bridge and head towards base, but you'd be advised to detour left after the bridge and drop into low gear to ascend the Bobbin Mill road. Just on the bend a public footpath will take you to Frith Hall, which offers infite scope for photographs. Here's a shot taken on a cloudy winters day around 1pm, but dusk must be the time to return for some really creepy silhouettes.
6. Forked tree
By the time you visit, there may well be another dozen locations to choose from, but Duddon Valley is so rich with visual interest that you could easily find your own. Here's a spot I like, just on the short stretch of road between Ulpha Bridge and Ulpha Church. A tree starts with the conventional number of trunks but quickly divides into two.
