Best weekend breaks for photographers
19 destinations picked for this guide.
- Independent UK guide
- Free to use
- Affiliate links clearly labelled
- Updated October 2026
Photographers love Britain's moody light, dramatic coasts and historic villages. These are some of the best places for a photography weekend, with famous views, interesting light and quiet corners, and the best times are early morning and late evening.
A wild shingle headland of black huts, lighthouses and a famous garden
DunkeldPerth and Kinross · Mid-rangeA cathedral village on the River Tay, in Perthshire's Big Tree Country
GlencoeHighland · Mid-rangeScotland's most dramatic glen, with towering mountains and a haunting history
NorthumberlandNorthumberland · Mid-rangeCastles, empty beaches, dark skies and Hadrian's Wall
PembrokeshireWales · Mid-rangeA rugged coast of golden beaches, seabirds and a famous coast path
Robin Hood's BayNorth Yorkshire · Mid-rangeA smugglers' village tumbling down a steep cliff
Snowdonia (Eryri)Gwynedd · Mid-rangeWales's mountain heartland, with Snowdon at its centre
StaithesNorth Yorkshire · Mid-rangeA cliff-hugging fishing village with a tiny harbour
WhitbyNorth Yorkshire · Mid-rangeA dramatic harbour town with a clifftop abbey
BoscastleCornwall · Higher-pricedA dramatic harbour tucked into a steep wooded valley
ClovellyDevon · Higher-pricedA cobbled, car-free village stepping down the cliff to the sea
DartmoorDevon · Higher-pricedGranite tors, wild ponies and ancient woodland
Isle of SkyeHighland · Higher-pricedJagged mountains, fairy pools and wild Atlantic coast
Lake DistrictCumbria · Higher-pricedEngland's biggest national park: lakes, fells and cosy villages
MouseholeCornwall · Higher-pricedA tiny harbour village famous for its Christmas lights
Norfolk coastNorfolk · Higher-pricedWide sandy beaches, salt marshes and seal trips
OrkneyOrkney · Higher-priced5,000-year-old villages, standing stones and sea cliffs off the north coast of Scotland
ShetlandShetland · Higher-pricedPuffins, Viking heritage and a wild, treeless coast far to the north
St IvesCornwall · Higher-pricedGolden beaches, art galleries and a pretty Cornish harbour
Frequently asked questions
When is the best light for photography?
The golden hour, just after sunrise and before sunset, and the blue hour around dusk and dawn.
Do I need a tripod?
For landscapes and low light, yes. It helps with sharp, long-exposure shots.
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Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and journey times are estimates, so check before you book. Report an error or share a tip.