Great family days out plus stunning photography: Part 1 of 2

Summer is in full bloom, although looking out the window at the pouring rain and dark grey skies as I write this, you wouldn’t quite believe it. Another thing now in full bloom is the school summer holidays, this year though, you’d be forgiven for not noticing them even start.

However now that we are officially in the summer holidays, and 2020 having being what it has been, it is likely that many of us will be taking day trips out, or shorter trips within the UK. So with that in mind, I’ve put together a few locations around the North West of England and North Wales which not only make for fantastic landscape photography locations, but double up as great adventures for the family.

They are in no particular order, and the parking places are named as they are listed in Google Maps, to make it easier to search for your destination. As you may have guessed by the title, I am not covering them all in this post as it would be far too long, so keep your eyes out, or subscribe below to be notified, for when part two is published next week.

Mam Tor & The Great Ridge, Hope Valley, Peak District National Park

Suitable for: Anyone with average or above average fitness; 7 years+, Not suitable for anyone with walking or breathing difficulties.

Parking: I recommend parking at the ‘Mam Tor National Trust Car Park’ - just off the A623 - there is a small charge or free for all National Trust Members.

One of the most popular photography spots and one of the most popular walks in the Peak District. And it is easy to see why. The views over Hope Valley are spectacular.

If you park at the National Trust car park, then the ascent up Mam Tor is right at the start of your trek. The route up is well signposted and there are paths and steps up to the summit from the car park. The initial climb is fairly taxing and very young legs will probably not enjoy this one, but there are spots you can stop to catch your breath as you head up…Be sure to check out the winding road that journeys into the village of Edale, best viewed from about half way up on your left hand side.

However long it takes you, once you hit the summit, you are rewarded immediately with fabulous 360 degree view and this may well be where you first crack your camera out, whilst the rest of the family explore.

On weekends and especially bank holidays, this spot can become very popular so be prepared for a few fellow walkers and photographers…and even the occasional paraglider. This is a popular take off spot for paragliders, and you are quite likely to spot one or two in an evening or at weekend.

The view over Hope valley towards the slate mine from Back Tor, on the Great Ridge route.

THAT GATE!….One of the most iconic gates around. Back Tor and Lose Hill visible down The Great Ridge

Once you have finished exploring and photographing the sprawling valleys from the summit of Mam Tor, The Great Ridge now lies ahead. This makes for a more relaxing walk after that climb and the first half is on a gentle downward slope, although do be careful with your footing as some of the steps are a little steep.

About a third of the way along the Great Ridge, you will find one of the Peak Districts most photographed locations. The Mam Tor Gate. Best shot at sunrise, but stunning throughout the day, this iconic photography location is not one to be passed by.

Once you have your fill of shots from this prime location, keep along the Great Ridge and you head towards a second gate, from here you can venture right and down towards the Blue John Mines if you wish. Or continue along the Great Ridge up towards Back Tor and Lose Hill.

You can venture back from wherever you make it to via the same route on return or go down into the village of Castleton and return across the ‘broken road’ and cross field. I’ve linked a route planner below.

You can take a look at some of the area in the intro and outro of this video: https://youtu.be/cJdzgASJpNY

Everywhere is well signposted, but you can find a good route guide here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kinder-edale-and-the-dark-peak/trails/mam-tor-circular-walk

Wizard Walk, Nether Alderley, North West Cheshire

Suitable for: Everyone, although some routes cannot be accessed by wheelchair/buggy

Parking: I recommend parking at the ‘National Trust - Alderley Edge Car Park’ by The Wizard Tearoom - small charge or free for National Trust members

‘There was once a farmer who had a milk-white mare. He decided to sell it; so one day, he set off to Macclesfield Fair. As he reached Alderley Edge the horse stopped and refused to move, no matter what the farmer did. He saw an old man standing by the side of the road, holding a staff in his hand.. .. ..’

The Legend of Alderley Edge provided inspiration to author Alan Garner as he wrote ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’. Some of the location focal points, including the Druids Circle and Engine Vein, are still visible for visitors to see and form part of the Wizard Walk. One of several walks well signposted in the woodland, the wizard walk is fairly easy and surrounds the folklore of wizardry, that the local area is well known for (throughout Alderley there are several nods to the wizarding world).

Sticking to the route though is only half the fun. The different walking routes all cross each other throughout the woodland and a real explore will see you taking more than just one route.

Stunning views await along the many walks of the Nether Alderley woodlands. Some stunning photography can be had alongside a great family adventure

Some photographic spots not to miss include The Edge itself, which overlooks Greater Manchester and, depending on wind direction, either the landing or take off path for runway one at Manchester Airport - spotting the planes is great entertainment for the youngsters.

The ‘Hearth of Albion’ also provides great views across North Cheshire and the Peak District and is worth having your camera on hand for.

A word of warning though whilst taking shots, don’t take your eyes off youngsters as both of these spots are on cliff edges which, whilst very secure and roomy with lots of space away from the edge, would be very dangerous for inquisitive infants if they get too close to the edges.

Back to the car park and there are the Wizard Tearooms and (usually) an ice cream van selling traditional ices - you can check the National Trust website for opening times but, of course, in 2020, these may have been altered somewhat - the walking route link below can be explored to access opening times for the car park and facilities.

Have a quick look around the place and get some photography tips here: https://youtu.be/5Rn74mfVL-g

You can find out more about the Wizard walking route here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alderley-edge-and-cheshire-countryside/trails/wizard-walk-at-alderley-edge

Mary’s Shell, Thornton-Cleveleys, Fylde

Suitable for: Everyone

Parking: Head for ‘Jubilee Gardens Car Park’ which is a pay and display just across the road from the beach. There is a small lay by car park on the promenade itself opposite the jubilee entrance if you can grab a space, this is also pay and display.

It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach and so here is the first of two recommendations. And not only is it a beach perfect for the kids, but it is an iconic location for photographers.

This really is a perfect family & photography mix. Spend the day on the beach soaking up the sun, grab a fish and chips supper, enjoy all the local entertainment and then head to the shore for sunset. And you will certainly want your camera on hand for this one.

Known as the ‘Mythical Coast’ because, well….Mary’s Shell is magical, and it has a story to tell…….

That story starts in Singleton Thorpe, which was a village off the coast of Cleveleys in the mid 1500’s.

Swallowed by a tsunami in 1554/55, only three people survived and local legend states that they went on to become founders of the village now known as Singleton in Fylde, near Blackpool (speaking of which, you can clearly see Blackpool Tower from the beach at Cleveleys - another shot worth taking)

The stunning view of the sunsetting over the west coast beyond Mary’s Shell - a perfect location to marry a family day out with some stunning photography

It doesn’t finish with sunset though - watch the colours of the sky change once the sun dips below the horizon.

And that folklore is responsible for inspiring ‘The Sea Swallows’ tale, a short story based on that sunken village. In the story, the heroine is Mary, who attempts to save the village from a Sea Ogre....armed only with her magical golden shell.

The story itself is inscribed on the inside of the shell, so at low tide take a visit inside for story time……but beware, you are being watched. The Sea Ogre also occupies the same beach. See if you can spot him - he’s certainly fairly large, if well disguised (quick tip - low tide is the best time to search for him).

You can read more about the area and photographing it in one of my earlier blogs here: https://www.letsclickphotography.co.uk/blog/revisiting-a-location-marys-shell-lancashire

Plan your trip here: https://www.visitcleveleys.co.uk/about/seafront/marys-shell-on-cleveleys-beach/

All images featured in this article are available to purchase as prints via our online shop here:

So that’s our first three recommendations, hopefully you get chance to visit at least one, if not all three. Part 2 of this Blog will follow next week, you can subscribe below to make sure you don’t miss it.

Check out many other great locations as I travel around photographing the beautiful landscapes of the UK via our You Tube channel which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4fUWd5TtD4YvjVbeDaAQeA

Dave

July 2020