In this blog I wanted to share with you some of my favourite Dartmoor locations for autumn colour.
Hembury Woods
Hembury Woods is a fantastic Dartmoor locations to experience the vibrant colors of autumn. The woodlands come alive with rich hues of gold, red, and amber as the leaves on the beech, oak, and chestnut trees turn. The dense forest floor is often blanketed with fallen leaves, creating a vivid contrast with the dark, moss-covered boulders and ancient, twisted tree trunks that are characteristic of the area.
The River Dart runs through the woods, offering great spots for long exposure shots. Capturing the river's flow as it winds between the trees and over the rocks can add a magical feel to the autumn colors in your photos. You might find misty mornings or soft afternoon light perfect for photographing the landscape, especially as sunlight filters through the colorful canopy.
For those visiting, there are a few trails that offer different perspectives, from riverside views to higher ground that provides glimpses of the autumnal treetops.
How to find it: Hembury Woods is situated in the south east of Dartmoor, near Buckfastleigh. Take the Buckfastleigh turning off the A38 and head towards the Abbey. From the Abbey, head north following signs for Hembury Woods. Although the road is too narrow to park, there are a couple of signposted car parks. From the bottom car park, for the best photo opportunities take the trail downhill until your reach the river.
Around Burrator
Burrator Reservoir is an excellent location for autumn photography. The reservoir's calm waters can mirror the autumn foliage lining its banks. The water is often most tranquil in the early morning or late afternoon. The surrounding woodlands burst with color during the autumn season. Paths leading into the forest create natural lines for your photos, and fallen leaves add texture and vibrancy. Burrator features several streams that flow into it, complete with small waterfalls, perfect for long exposure photography. Capture the smooth effect of flowing water alongside the autumn hues. A particularly picturesque spot is Northworthy Bridge, located in the northeast corner of the reservoir. The photo below shows the dam itself, taken with a telephoto lens from the road near Meavy, southwest of the dam.
How to find it: Burrator is located in the southwest of Dartmoor and is easy to access, with signs off the main road from Yelverton to Princetown. Parking is convenient, either on the road by the dam or off-road in various places, including near Northworthy Bridge.
The East Okement River
The East Okement River, near Okehampton in the North West of Dartmoor, is a stunning location for autumn photography. With its lush woodlands, moss-covered rocks, and cascading waters, it’s perfect for capturing the warm, earthy tones of autumn. Here are some tips for photographing this beautiful location:
Golden Hour and Overcast Light: Early morning or late afternoon light can enhance autumn colors. Overcast days are also great for diffused, even lighting, especially when capturing waterfalls.
Use Long Exposure for Waterfalls: Bring out the river’s movement with long exposure techniques. A shutter speed of 1-2 seconds can create a smooth, misty effect on the flowing water. Don't forget you'll need a tripod for stability.
Look for Reflections: Calm sections of the river can reflect the colorful canopy above, adding layers and interest. Look for spots where fallen leaves float on the water for a classic autumn scene.
Experiment with Angles: Explore lower angles to capture the river's flow or climb up for a wider view of the surrounding woodland. A polarizing filter can help reduce reflections and bring out richer colors.
How to find it: Head into Okehampton from the East. Just after Mole Avon Country Stores there is a narrow left turn into Fatherford Lane. Follow this all the way to a dead end where there are a small number of roadside parking spaces. From here it is a very short walk to the river which you can follow as far up as you like, for a large number of scenic tumbles and small waterfalls. At the point where the river splits, both branches are worth exploring. A bit of clambering may be required in places, but most of the river is accessible on rough riverside tracks.
The River Plym from Cadover Bridge
Cadover Bridge over the River Plym is a well known location for day trippers and easy to find, however the best photo spots down the river need some clambering along steep and slippery river banks below the main path, so don't undertake this one lightly, and make sure you're wearing sturdy footware. It's well worth the effort though and worth considering the following:
Choose the right light: Choose either a cloudy day which provides diffuse soft light (and is easier to shoot due to the lower dynamic range) or early or late on a sunnier day. Choosing early or late means that the sun will be lower, producing strong shadows and the potential to use the sun in your composition (as in the photo below) but technically will be more challenging due to the wide dynamic range which will mean that bracketing is advisable.
Composition is key: As is often the case, a beautiful autumn scene doesn't automatically mean a great photo, and the difference between a boring snap and an interesting photo will be composition. In particular, look out for something which will provide a focal point, and use the river or paths as lead-in lines to add interest.
How to find it: Park in the roadside car park at Cadover Bridge. This is right by the river, so simply follow it downstream as far as you wish, but remember that the best spots will largely be off the main path, down the steep and slippery river bank!
The Teign below Castle Drogo
The River Teign below Castle Drogo is a great spot for autumn photography. The Teign Gorge, is known for its stunning autumn foliage, with a mix of beech, oak, and birch trees that create a vibrant palette of yellows, oranges, and reds. The contrast between the rich colors of the leaves and the river’s movement, combined with the rugged granite boulders along the water, can make for fantastic compositions.
How to find it: The Teign Valley is in the North East of the moor, and my suggested stretch to explore is between Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge just south of the village of Drewsteignton. You can either follow signs out of the village to Caste Drogo and park there (especially if you're an NT member so the parking is free) or follow signs to Fingle Bridge where there is free parking at the road side. I would then suggest a circular walk from Fingle Bridge to the footbridge below Castle Drogo (seen in the photo below) along both the north and south banks of the river [or visa versa if you started at Drogo]. Note the the path to the south of the river is relatively flat and easy walking, however the path to the north of the river is more rugged and steep in places. Both paths run close to the river, so keep your eyes open for possible compositions!
Want to improve your photography skills?
Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also offer residential workshops for beginners or improving photographers.
About me
I first got into photography after walking the beautiful South West Coast Path: I was so disappointed that my photos didn't do justice to the beautiful coastal scenery that I decided to walk all 630 miles all over again, but this time to also teach myself photography along the way!
A few years later and I find myself as a professional photographer, widely published and with landscape photos which have won national awards. But I do much more than landscapes, providing photography training to businesses & individuals on how to take beautiful photographs, and providing professional photography services to businesses across the South West. My commercial specialisms are property photography, business photography, people photography & aerial (drone) photography.
I’m also an author with a number of published books and I give regular talks about my passion for photography, and for Devon, to camera clubs and other groups.
コメント