Welcome to Wales. Land of myth, legend, and folklore. A land that has been inspiring artists, writers and poets for generations, and I’m one of the latest in a long line of messengers waxing lyrical about its’ natural beauty. Having explored this enchanted land for years now, it is easy to see why so many people seek out this charming landscape for inspiration. The trees speak softly, the mountains stand guard like watchmen, and the rivers and lakes house fairies that will bring healing to your soul.
I’ve been a lover of The Lord of the Rings books and movies since I was a child, and now, having explored so much of this beautiful country, I see why Wales is credited with providing inspiration in so many different ways for Tolkien as he created his imaginary world. Even his Elvish language was inspired by the Welsh tongue.
Wales is a dream for any landscape photographer and, though relatively small in size, it offers something for every one who shows interest in landscape and nature photography. It has provided me with a constant source of inspiration over the past half a decade that I have been creating photographs, and these very lands have helped to heal many of my own wounds and brought a sense of peace to my soul. I still have so much ground to explore, so many photographs to create, and stories of my own to tell. Despite countless adventures to Eryri/ Snowdonia and seemingly walking every inch of my local mid Wales landscape, I sometimes feel as though I am only just scratching the surface of what this glorious country has to offer.
In this article, I want to introduce you to some of my favourite locations in Wales for landscape and nature photography that I have discovered so far. These are places that have, and still do, provide me with an incredible amount of inspiration for creativity and storytelling, and now I hope that I can inspire you to go out and unleash your creativity and tell your own stories of these wonderful places.
The Great Wood, Gregynog Hall - Mid Wales
I walked innocently into one of Wales’ most beautiful ancient woodlands, yielding my flask filled with coffee, books and camera. As I closed The Fellowship of the Ring for the last time, mounted my flask back into the side pocket of my bag and withdrew my camera, my hands rose to the heavens as beams of soft, golden light shone down on me through the canopy. It was an enlightening moment in my photography journey so far.
I credit this beautiful woodland in the heart of Montgomeryshire for changing the way that I do photography forever. In my initial years behind the camera, I could often be found running around from place to place, gathering photographs like a bee does honey. Finding these trees back in 2021 forced me to slow down and connect on a deeper level to the landscape that I found myself in. There was something very special about this patch of oak woodland and it made me feel emotions that I hadn’t experienced before. These trees played more than their part in inspiring my 2021 photobook titled, ‘A Year Amongst Trees’.
Some of the trees were planted back in the 18th century, and one of them was even standing when Henry VIII was reigning over the country. Walking between these gigantic trees for the first time was a rather special experience. I looked up in wonder as I marvelled at the sheer size of the ancient oaks that stand here on this ground, and felt an overpowering sense of insignificance at species that have been standing since the days of my great, great grandfather.
The woodland itself was used as hunting ground back in the day but now it’s left relatively untouched, bar a few sheep that sometimes wander the land, and the footsteps of myself and a few others that like to roam aimlessly amongst the ancient oak trees.
Autumn is, of course, the best time to visit most woodlands, in my opinion, and this one is no different. The bed of bracken and ferns is good enough to sleep on, and with fog and mist regularly filling the valley, you might just be treated to some of the best photography conditions that you remember, as I was on this magical autumn morning in 2021.
The sun rises quite lowly over the Montgomeryshire hills, and the light can be truly special if you care to be out early enough to capture it. Two or three of my favourite photographs have been produced here in this woodland after months of scouting and mornings spent walking meditatively between the old oak trees. I’m an advocate of the Japanese art of ‘shinrin yoku’ or ‘forest bathing’ to clear my busy mind and gain some clarity in my life, and there is no better place to take in the wonders of the woodland than right here in Montgomeryshire, in my opinion.
Photography Tip:
Try photographing with the camera pointing into, or at a 45 degree angle to the sunlight. Using mist in your photographs can be a perfect way to diffuse the sun and avoid blowing out those all important ‘highlights’ which will cause you to lose lots of detail in your imagery. Using the beautiful and soft morning light can provide some wonderful opportunities for photographs and maximise your chances of getting some of that all important fog or mist needed to create those beautifully atmospheric stories with your camera.
What I love most about this woodland is that every season brings with it plenty of new and exciting opportunities for photography. Just as you might be beginning to think that you have seen it all and expended all possible compositions, a change in temperature may make you think again before moving on to your next location. This woodland has kept me busy for two years already, and I’m sure that there are many more still to go.
Photography Tip:
If you are someone who bounces around from location to location in search of the next photograph, why not change your approach and try photographing one location for a while. You might be surprised to see how your vision evolves as you force yourself to look deeper into the landscape to find your next image.
For more tips on how to improve your woodland photography, click here.
Rhiwargor & Lake Vyrnwy - Berwyn Mountains, Mid Wales
I stood alone in the heart of the Berwyn mountains. Overnight, a sprinkling of snow had fallen, peppering the tops of the mountains that surround Lake Vyrnwy. As the water gushed down from Rhiwargor, past the ancient silver birch trees and along the grassy banks, I approached excitedly with my rucksack in tow.
I had one of those feelings that something special was going to happen that morning. The forecast looked good for some atmosphere and breaks in the cloud for light to enter the landscape. The scene had already stood out to me as one with a lot of potential during the autumn months that preceded. I knew that the snow-capped mountains behind were going to look special with the beautiful stream carrying the eye along the tree-lined embankment and out into the distance. What happened next, and for only a matter of seconds, could never have been predicted, and probably wont be seen again in my lifetime. A fleeting rain and snowstorm passed over my head. As it swept beyond and into the distant mountains, beneath which Lake Vyrnwy lies silently, a brief break in the clouds allowed the most gorgeous golden light to flood in from the east, backlighting the drizzle and sleet beautifully. The flash of burning embers brought to attention the silhouetted old guard of ancient silver birch trees that appear to be charging over the hill and away into the light.
You might be able to tell from this short piece of writing that this little corner of Lake Vyrnwy is up there amongst my favourite places to photograph out of all of them on this list. There really is something for everyone around this glorious part of the country. Whether you’re a tree lover like myself, or mountains and waterfalls are your thing, you aren’t going to be disappointed when you take a walk around Rhiwargor and Lake Vyrnwy.
Photo Tip:
Don’t be afraid to be a little curious whilst outdoors exploring, especially around Lake Vyrnwy, where some of the best photographs appear once you have veered away from the well-known footpaths. There is nothing quite like making your own tracks in this life, and photography has provided me with the perfect opportunity to do just that. I allow the camera to lead me, rather than me lead it, and the great outdoors will always provide opportunity for further exploration.
This part of the world is another of those that looks glorious throughout the seasons and offers plenty of variation when it comes to landscape photography. The area is a woodland paradise, and there are trees growing out of every nook and cranny on the hillsides that surround the lake and waterfall. There is an abundance of silver birch trees that line the slopes of the waterfall, and the colours that are on display throughout the autumn months are truly magnificent.
If you like photographing reflections then you may want to make a stop off at one of the small beaches or picnic areas around Lake Vyrnwy, where you’ll be presented with some truly remarkable compositional opportunities. First thing in the morning, the lake is often completely still and the reflections are perfectly mirror-like.
The Victorian water tower on Lake Vyrnwy makes for an interesting subject, appearing to be almost fairy-tale like; perfect for the stories of old witches and wizards like in Welsh folklore tales. There are many compositional opportunities for photographs of the tower. The main bridge at the south-eastern point makes for the more common angle, but I prefer to be a little more creative and make my own compositions these days. Sunset provides some incredible light, and sets beyond the Berwyn mountains that stand watch behind the tower. On a side note; you might want to look out for one of many walking routes that will lead you out onto the tops of the mountains surrounding Lake Vyrnwy. There are some terrific hikes to be found here and you could easily spend a few days in the area.
If you care to slow down and open your eyes widely enough as you make your way around the 12 mile stretch of road that runs around the lake, you might notice that there are some beautiful patches of native, deciduous woodland just waiting to be explored. This one, towards the easternmost point of the lake, holds promise for photographers and storytellers who are brave enough to ascend the steep banks and venture into the unknown. Some of the ancient oaks will make you feel as though you have been transported back in time; perhaps to a time when the Celts gathered around oak trees as part of their rituals and rites, sometimes even offering worship to a goddess of the oak tree, named Daron.
Photography Tip:
I like to look for a main protagonist in my woodland photographs occasionally. Characterful trees, like the one above, can help to tell a story, and every woodland seems to have at least one that stands out from the crowd like the ugly duckling.
Llyn Dinas & DINAS EMRYS | Eryri/ Snowdonia National Park
If wild swimming is your thing, be sure to watch out for a sharp pointy thing floating around in Llyn Dinas. Rumour has it that Excalibur, weapon of choice for King Arthur, might have been thrown into here back in the 6th century. Providing you don’t find that and make yourself a millionaire, you’ll want to wander the waters here on the lookout for photographs as it’s one of the most underrated places in Snowdonia for photography.
The light rises in the morning over the Moelwynion mountains; of which Moel Siabod is the tallest and can be seen at the northernmost point of the lake. It is just viewable, off centre to the right, in the photograph above. There are plenty of loose rocks and stones that make for some interesting features in photographs, and a few species of trees line the shores of the lake which can be added to your imagery to create the complete landscape photograph that will combine all of the elements.
If you managed to find the sword, you might want to keep it wielded as you cross the busy road to Craflwyn Hall, from which a footpath runs behind that will lead you to Dinas Emrys; birthplace of the red dragon.
It is rumoured that King Vortigern was building a castle on Dinas Emrys back in the 5th century which kept collapsing overnight because of tremors throughout the landscape.
Having queried it with his men, and failing to come to an answer to explain what was happening, King Vortigern was advised to seek the help of a boy that was born of a virgin mother. Vortigern sent his men out to search for such a boy and they eventually found Myrddin (Merlin) the wizard.
King Vortigern was going to offer Merlin’s life as a sacrifice but Merlin quickly advised him that the reason he couldn’t get his castle to stand was because two dragons were living inside of the hill, beneath the pool of water that, to this day, can still be found on Dinas Emrys.
The two dragons were awoken from their slumber and coaxed out from under the water. One was red and the other, white. They began to fight in the air above the hilltop. Eventually the white dragon fled, leaving the red dragon victorious, giving King Vortigern a new emblem for his flag, and a sign of the impending victory against the Anglo-Saxons.
Let thoughts of dragons, kings and wizards inspire you as your imagination runs wild atop this beautiful hilltop in north Wales. Sunrise makes for a beautiful time to visit, as the view towards the Moelwynions and over Llyn Dinas is one of the best in the area. Lining the western face of the hill as you walk to the summit is an enchanted oak forest, through which the winds blow and bring voices of Welsh baritones from afar.
If you’re a woodland photographer, then you’re likely to have a field day on Dinas Emrys; the trees are some of the gnarliest and most wicked in the national park, and there are many stories to be told of them.
Rhaeadr DDu & Ganllwyd - Eryri/ Snowdonia National Park
Rhaeadr Ddu, the beautifully quaint little waterfall in the southern region of Snowdonia translates as ‘Black Falls’ due to the appearance of the black stone over which the two-tiered waterfall descends. The short walk from Ganllwyd will lead you along a path next to which the Afon Gamlan runs through the Coed Ganllwyd National Nature Reserve. You’ll walk for no more than a mile, at which point you’ll be transported into a real life fairy-tale, surrounded by ancient, twisting oak trees, with the sound of the ever-changing waterfall for company. Visiting through different seasons will bring with it new conditions, as the water levels can change rapidly depending on rainfall in the area and surrounding mountains.
One of my favourite times to visit this fantastic and somewhat, underrated location has to be throughout the spring. I was lucky enough to capture the photographs below during the peak spring weeks in 2022 when the colours were at their vibrant best.
Waterfalls tend to look at their most spectacular after a few days of heavy rain, which does make for some great photographs. However, I prefer to shoot them when the conditions are a little calmer due to the look and feel that I tend to like in my photographs. My style reflects the more calming and peaceful moments as opposed to any chaos and drama. Perhaps this is how I feel when I’m outdoors in nature and therefore that is how I like my viewer to feel when looking through my portfolio.
I think that it’s very important to try to gain an understanding of yourself and some level of self-awareness as you progress through your photography journey. Spending time in beautiful places like this should make self-reflection incredibly easy, giving you plenty of time to think about the stories that you’d like to tell through your photography.
Photography Tip:
When photographing waterfalls, it might be worth attaching a circular polarising filter (CPL) to your lens. There are many places that CPL’s will work wonders for your photography but none will be transformed quite like a colourful autumnal or spring waterfall scene, where the effects of twisting the filter to your likening will bring out those beautifully vibrant orange, yellow and red colour tones and reduce the glare on the surface of the water, helping to add depth and mood to your image.
For more tips, I have a blog containing Ten Top Tips for Landscape Photography.
Waterfalls have to be up there among my favourite things to photograph. There is nothing quite like the feeling of excitement building as you hear the sound of the crashing water gradually getting louder as you approach. This little gem in Ganllwyd provides some really special ancient woodland with moss covered trunks and dry stone walls too, all of those will make for some fantastic subjects to photograph aside from the waterfall itself.
Photography Tip:
I like to keep my eye out for natural frames in the scene when photographing waterfalls like Rhaeadr Ddu. In the first image, you can see that I have been sure to include those twisting tree branches in the top of my frame, which help to keep the viewers eye pinned on my subject; the stunning waterfall. In the second photograph, I got down low to find a subtle leading line and natural path through the rocks to lead the viewer towards the waterfall, also making sure that I included those lime green spring leaves to add to the overall balance and story of the image.
If you cross the road after you have made your way back along the footpath from Rhaeadr Ddu, you’ll find yourself the most beautiful stretch of river that is lined with trees and peppered with rocky boulders. It might appear to you, as it does to me, to be yet another one of the pictures from Tolkien’s imagination, and it would be easy to sit and picture a herd of horses charging up the valley. You might want to break out your camera and tripod to grab a quick photograph before they do though. There are opportunities to attach your wide angle lens and get closer to some of the rocks, or use a mid range telephoto as I did here to scope out a segment of the river.
This stretch of river is best viewed in the morning, as the sun will rise over the hill to the east. My intuition tells me that late autumn and early spring could be a wonderful time to visit, as the sun will rise a little further round the hillside, providing you with some lower and, therefore, softer light for your photographs. This will also mean that the leaves are beautifully backlit, adding to that sense of dreamlike magic that Wales often provides.
A little further along the A470 in Ganllwyd is something of a hidden gem here in Wales. The Coed y Brenin forest boasts a number of waterfalls and if you’re willing to become a little bit more curious, then you might just discover something special like I did when I stumbled upon Pistyll Cain one winters’ afternoon. The waterfall is hiding away somewhere around a mile or so upriver from the Afon Mawddach. Here you can see a photograph from one wet and wild afternoon on which the wind was blowing the waterfall back up the gorge into which it falls.
St. Mary’s Vale & Sugar loaf - Abergavenny, Black Mountains
Tucked away in a quiet corner beneath the distinctive summit of the Sugarloaf, is a hidden world of twisting oaks and forgotten silver birch trees. The unforgettable St. Mary’s Vale is nestled away somewhere between the ridges of the Llanwenarth and Rholben hills. On one side of the valley, ancient oaks hang onto its’ steep sides, and silver birch pepper the ground too. On the other side of the Nant (stream) Iago, an ancient beech forest stands elegantly on the banks of the valley, and one step into here might make you feel like you have wandered into Lothlorien.
Maps of this small area around the Black Mountains show promise of plenty more native, deciduous woodland, and this is one part of the country that I am dying to explore more often. If photographing trees is your thing, then you can’t look far past the beautiful St. Mary’s Vale and surrounding areas in the south of Wales.
Once the morning mist has dissipated, be sure to wander along the footpath that winds between the ancient trees, which will lead you to the top of the unmistakeable Sugar Loaf; a 596m hill that is the southernmost of the summits making up the Black Mountains. From this hilltop, you’ll be treated to one of the finest views in south Wales, looking right out over the River Usk to the south, and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) to the west.
With this being Wales, you’re almost guaranteed to face some dynamic weather conditions, no matter when you visit, so be prepared with a variety of clothing choices, and also ensure that you have your camera at the ready because you might just witness a passing snow and hailstorm, and glorious, lateral light like I did in the photograph down below.
Moel Y Golfa - Mid Wales
Standing at 403m, it would be very easy to bypass this humble hilltop as you cross the England/Wales border to make your way towards some of the more popular spots in mid Wales, such as Lake Vyrnwy and Elan Valley. Many locals even often overlook this hilltop in favour of its’ neighbour; Rodney’s Pillar, of which, due to decades of quarrying, stands out in the landscape like a sore thumb from the west. Moel Y Golfa has been left relatively untouched by humans, bar the monument known by us from around the local area as ‘Gypsy’s Monument’. Atop the hill, you’ll be treated to some spectacular views of the Berwyn Mountains and even as far as Eryri/ Snowdonia out to the west. From experience, sunset is by far the best time to explore this landscape, and lateral light interacts beautifully with the unique rock formations on the summit. In summer, splashes of pink and purple paint the ground, in the form of heather which flourishes up here overlooking the mid Wales savannah.
Photography Tip:
Attach your wide angle lens and point it towards the ground up here to create some beautiful depth in your photographs. The rock formations on the ground are far too interesting and captivating to leave out. Look out for the lateral light at sunrise or sunset to add depth and natural contrast to your images.
You’ll want to come equipped with your telephoto lens if you are hiking to the summit of Moel Y Golfa as there is a terrific meander in the river Severn down below, which beautifully demonstrates how the river has formed over millenia and eroded through the landscape. Here in mid Wales, if you didn’t already know, we have an abundance of glorious oak trees that stand proudly in the fields and meadows. With a long enough lens, you’ll be perfectly placed to scope some of them out for those lone tree photographs that every photographer loves. Happy sniping folks.
Cors Bodgynydd & Llyn Bodgynydd - Eryri/ Snowdonia National Park
There are no fun stories of myths and legends around here, and that’s great because it means that it’s one of the lesser known spots here in Eryri/ Snowdonia. Maybe it will give you an opportunity to write your own story for the history books. The tree-line pathway below certainly looks as though it belongs in a fantasy story, don’t you think? I’ve had many relaxing mornings around this beautiful area over the past few years.
The sun sets beyond the Carneddau mountain range that provides the perfect backdrop for any landscape photographer. I love this location because it offers something different to your usual Snowdonia landscape. It isn’t exactly grand or epic like you might expect from the area, and instead offers plenty of poetic charm, similar to what you might see in a 19th century oil painting. The colours throughout the autumn months are truly spectacular, with an abundance of silver birch trees lining the outskirts of the lake, and colourful grasses and plants emerging from the water.
There is plenty of diversity to photograph in many different styles, with the mountainous backdrops allowing you to shoot wide and capture the whole scene, and the variety of tree species and plants giving you the option to break out a long lens and capture something a little more intimate.
Follow the footpath around the edge of Cors Bodgynydd and you’ll uncover something of a hidden gem called Llyn Bodgynydd, which provides this sensational view of Moel Siabod. Mornings are by far the best time to photograph this glorious location, with mists regularly shrouding the lake through the spring and autumn months.
Cnicht & Croesor - Eryri/ Snowdonia National Park
Standing proudly in isolation among the Moelwynion mountains, is Cnicht, often known as ‘The Welsh Matterhorn’, for its’ beautifully formed pyramidal structure when viewed from certain angles. Its’ name, Anglo-Saxon for ‘knight’ was given to it by medieval sailors who likened it to the shape of a 14th century knights helmet after they viewed it from the sea to the west, similar to the view that I had when creating the photograph down below in the summer of 2021.
Cnicht is one of the lesser photographed mountains in Snowdonia, and that’s absolutely fine with me. I love the challenge of finding unique and interesting photographs of the national park, and this area around Croesor and Nantmor offers plenty. To my eye, there aren’t many more perfectly shaped mountains in Snowdonia and I am very much looking forward to including it in my photography portfolio moving forwards. There are some spectacular patches of woodland around here, and I recommend that you lace up your walking boots and follow your nose on the hunt for your own unique compositions.
That is all for now in my latest photography location guide to Wales. I hope you have taken something away with you, and are feeling inspired to get out there in the landscape; to connect and create. Wales is a land that holds plenty of promise for photographs and stories and I hope that you enjoy creating yours. As you can tell by reading this, Wales has provided me with enough inspiration to last a lifetime, and I am sure that it will offer plenty more for me yet. As always; stay connected and creative, be curious, and go wherever your heart is leading you. It won’t often lead you wrong.
If you like the locations in this guide, and are feeling inspired, then perhaps you might like to purchase my top 40 photography locations in Wales bundle down below, which will grant you access to my Google Maps saved pins, as well as a short eBook guide and some of my favourite hiking routes that are downloadable on the OS Maps app.
Get access to the locations of my top 40 favourite photography spots in Wales, mainly covering Eryri/ Snowdonia national park and mid Wales.
This download includes:
Access to a PDF eBook guide that contains a detailed description of many of the locations
Access to the KML Map data for all locations and instructions on how to install onto your Google Maps.
GPX file download containing routes for some of my favourite hikes in Wales, and instructions on how to install to OS maps mobile app.
Lifetime access, meaning I’ll email you whenever I update the map or eBook with new locations.
Please note that these downloads and links are for you personal use only. Please do not share as I have spent a lot of time and effort creating them.