Wensleydale Waterfalls & Semerwater Sunset — Dales Landscape Photography Day

Saturday 9th May 2026
Meet: 1:00 pm at West Burton Force car park • Finish: at sunset (~8:55 pm)

Explore the quieter corners of the Dales on a spring-evening photography ramble, with waterfalls, moorland lanes, old stone villages and a stunning sunset over Yorkshire’s largest lake. Perfect for anyone who wants a proper Dales day out with their camera — no heavy walking, no nonsense, just plenty of photo chances.

What You Will Learn On The Day

• How to make the most of waterfalls, cascades and rapids — long exposures, ND filter work, flowing water techniques

• How to handle changing light from afternoon through to golden hour and sunset

• How to shoot reflections and moody water scenes at lakes like Semerwater

• How to capture valley views, moorland textures and atmospheric skies

• How to spot good compositions quickly — using bridges, rocks, water, hills, and natural framing

• How to adapt to short walks and quick turns — ideal when time or light is tight

• How to include people subtly for scale, or leave scenes clean and natural

All guidance will be practical, in plain English, and hands-on throughout the day.

Where We Will Go (provisional route — some stops optional depending on parking, time & group mood)

We start at West Burton Force (also called Cauldron Force) — a lovely little waterfall with a stone bridge. Light changes quickly here, so we’ll use this location for creative waterfall and bridge shots under soft spring light.

If time and traffic allow, we’ll also hit:

• Aysgarth Falls — three cascades (upper, middle, lower), a bit of walking (mainly for lower falls), but a varied set of waterfall scenes: rapids, calmer pools, rock formations. Great for experimenting with flow, motion, composition. (There are toilets and a café here — good mid-day break.)

• A gentle stop in Bainbridge — nice bridge over the river with a small waterfall/rapid just off the road. Quick half-hour if there’s parking space.

• Brief stroll around Hawes — little village, chance to grab a snack or drink, and scope the shops (or fish & chips later). Handy if we want a rest or if anyone needs a loo.

• Drop by Cotter Force waterfall — just a short 5–10 minute stroll from the road, nice cascading water, compact and easy. Good for a final daylight waterfall photo or a quick composition challenge.

• Drive up the moorland road for the Cragside viewpoint — sweeping views up and down the valley, moorland textures, potential moody sky/atmosphere depending on weather and time of day.

• Finish at Semerwater — the largest lake in the Yorkshire Dales. If we’re lucky, we’ll get sunset reflecting on calm water, boulders for foreground interest, and classic Dales-by-evening light. Even if the sky’s dull, the water, rocks and lakeside mood work beautifully.

If folks are up for it after sunset, we can optionally head back to Hawes for a spot of fish and chips and a warm drink to finish the day.

How The Day Works

• Meeting time: 1:00 pm at West Burton Force car park

• Finish: At sunset — around 8:55 pm (giving us a full 8-hour session)

• Walking: Very light — most stops are within ¼ mile of parking; only Aysgarth involves a proper walk for lower falls.

• Pace: Gentle, relaxed, lots of time to set up shots and take your time

• Group size: Small and friendly — enough for good photo banter, small enough for personal guidance

Travel is self-drive. Optional car sharing is fine (useful if parking is tight at village stops).

What To Bring

• Your camera (DSLR or mirrorless) — any lens from wide-angle to telephoto helps

• Tripod (recommended, especially for waterfalls and lake shots)

• ND filter and/or polariser (useful for water and reflections)

• Spare batteries and memory cards

• Sturdy, waterproof footwear (stream crossings or wet ground possible)

• Waterproof jacket + warm layers (open moorland can be windy)

• Snacks and a drink (though there are loos / café at Aysgarth, and shops in Hawes)

If you want kit advice before the day — lens choice, filters, etc — just drop us a line.

Who This Workshop Is For

This is a good fit for:

• Beginners wanting easy-going, supported shoots

• Enthusiasts who enjoy waterfalls, water, and moorland scenery

• People who like a relaxed pace rather than a long hike

• Anyone who wants to practise long exposures, compositions and sunset/lake photography

• Those who appreciate a mix of landscape mood, water motion, village charm and Dales hills

Walking remains light and manageable — no strenuous climbs, nothing steep or dangerous.

Why This Day Works — What Makes It Special

• A high variety of photo opportunities: waterfalls, rapids, rivers, lake reflections, moorland, valley vistas, village charm

• Perfect for long exposures, water & flow, moody skies and atmospheric light

• Great for sunset + lake reflections at Semerwater — rare in many Dales locations

• Short walks — friendly on knees and energy levels, especially for 40–75 yr-old photographers

• Flexibility — if parking or time is tight, we can skip optional stops and still get a rewarding day

• Outdoor, fresh air, proper Dales scenery and no crowds (especially in May)

After The Workshop

You’re welcome to send any of your photos from the day afterwards for feedback or suggestions.
I’m always happy to help with editing ideas or advice on how to best present your images.