Buttermere is located in a spectacular part of the Lake District and is full of photographic opportunities. There’s a pleasant, low-level walk around the lake that will provide you with lots of interesting potential. You can park near the cattle grid on the road between Blea Tarn and Great Langdale, although parking is limited to just a few cars. Early morning typically provides the best light here.

As already mentioned there are various spots to park along the lake edge but please do not park in passing places or obstruct traffic. I had originally shot this image in landscape format as I really wanted to get the breath of Blencathra and its wonderful shape into the scene. But in the end, I decided that this cropped version in portrait had greater impact – sometimes, and quite often in landscape photography, less is more. And as I mentioned in Tip 2 above, always inform someone of your planned route. You’re heading out into the wilderness; better safe than sorry! Must-visit Lake District locations The options for compositions at Blea Tarn is varied but from the car park, and after crossing the road and walking through the gate, the obvious choice is to walk right from the footpath and down to the water’s edge. (This area can be particularly boggy in wet weather so take care.)There are lots of footpaths to explore and several hides which look out over a tarn and wetland, perfect for bird watching. The National Trust own vast chunks of the area, so members will benefit from free parking at many beauty spots. Carry a good, versatile range of focal lengths, a sturdy tripod, and essential filters too. Most importantly, dress for the conditions and terrain, and wear good footwear and water and wind-proof clothing. There are not too many places in the world where you can discover a combination of breathtaking lakes, picturesque valleys, lush woodland, dramatic waterfalls, pretty tarns, soaring mountains, and even coastline – all neatly compressed into just one region. However, the Lake District, in North West England, is home to all of these things and consequently Lake District photography hotspots are popular.

Also, be sure to bring well-fitted walking boots (ideally with good ankle support and strong grip to prevent slips, especially in winter). 4. Walk within your means

1. Derwentwater

Having a torch with you is always a good idea as the Lake District doesn’t suffer from a lot of light pollution, so you can get some nice night sky images and you may want a torch to light up any foreground interest. If you could only get one shot during a trip to the lakes district what would you be aiming to capture?

You can walk along the south western shores of the lake and along the shingle you will find a good mixture of boulders, fences going into the water, gnarly old tree roots as well.

Ashness Jetty, Lake District

The Lakes outstanding natural beauty has inspired artists, writers, and poets for centuries, including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. It is a photographer’s paradise and home to so many iconic viewpoints that you could visit time and again, and still only scratch the surface of its undoubted picture potential. Because we tend to carry quite a bit of kit, I’d probably recommend taking the path that starts near Manesty and avoids a slight scramble to the peak, which is required from the paths on the other side. The climb up Cat Bells may be steep, but it’s absolutely worth it; with superlative views over Derwent Water, Cat Bells offers plenty of opportunities for Lake District landscape photography. Instead, if you’re unsure about your fitness level, go slow. Start with easy walks and work your way up. Eventually, you might be running up and down mountains – but I don’t recommend you try it at the beginning! 5. Take food and drink whenever you go out