Although most photographs of North Wales viewed around the Internet seem to focus on Snowdonia National Park and the coastal areas around Anglesey, North Wales has many fantastic opportunities for photography, many often missed by visitors. The aim of this guide is to provide an insight into photo locations around North Wales, some often unnoticed by photographers and tourist alike.
The town of Llangollen is not to be missed, not only is the town itself quite picturesque but it’s overlooked by Castell Dinas Bran and surrounded by stunning scenery – Worlds End, Eglwyseg rocks, Horseshoe Pass to name a few. The Llangollen Canal provides photographers with even more varied opportunities, wildlife is commonplace along the canal banks too.
For photographers interested in architecture don’t miss Plas Newydd andValle Crucis Abbey both closeby to Llangollen. Also Rug Chapel and Llangar Church in nearby Corwen and the impressive Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts along the Llangollen Canal. Chirk castle isn’t too far away either and the National Trust property of Errdig near Wrexham has great photo opportunities, providing architecture and historic gardens.
Railway enthusiasts / photographers are also catered for in Llangollen where the restored railway line runs frequent Steam Train trips.
For landscape photographers the scenery around Snowdonia often means that they miss many of the other great opportunities that North Wales provides. A drive a little further north towards Ruthin provides photo opportunities of the Clywdian hills. The highest peak, Moel Famau is well worth the walk to the summit. Also along the same range is Penycloddiau and Moel Arthur, both excellent photo vantage points. Whilst the Clywdian Hills may not provide quite as much drama as the Snowdonia National Park photographers should definitely consider them when visiting North Wales.
Not far from Llangollen are the relatively unknown Berwyn Mountains, again well worth a visit although access is more limited than that to the Clywdian Hills and Snowdonia National Park. At the base of the Berwyn range, near Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant is perhaps the most impressive waterfall in North Wales, which again most photographers miss completely. The Pistyll Rhaeder Waterfall is one of the ‘Seven wonders of Wales’ – it’s actually the highest waterfall in Wales/England and provides excellent photo opportunities. Not only is the waterfall impressive but it’s location is a little special too. For photographers looking for waterfalls, two other excellent locations exist: Aber Falls close to Bangor and Swallow Falls at Betws-y-coed, a village well worth a visit. Also Talacre beach on the North Wales coast has a fantastic lighthouse and providing the photographer with great opportunities. As usual sunrise and sunset provides the best lighting.
For photographers interested in castles the list is almost endless, I would be surprised if any other location around the world provides as many photo opportunities in such a small area. The most spectacular castles are undoubtedly Conway and Caernarfon, both extremely impressive and dusk / nighttime photographs of both are very popular as they are well lit out of daylight hours. Penrhyn castle close to Bangor is somewhat unique, a modern ‘fairytale’ structure. Beaumaris castle on Anglesey is excellent, the views from the castle across to the Snowdonia mountains are also impressive whilst Chirk castle near Llangollen is also extremely well preserved and photo worthy. As already mentioned the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran provide impressive views over Llangollen and the Vale of Clywd and are worth the climb.
Whilst the aforementioned castles are perhaps structurally or visually the most impressive in North Wales there are others that photographers should seriously consider. Rhuddlan castle near Rhyl is still well intact, Dolwyddelan castle has undergone renovation and is beautifully located, as is Dolbadarn castle on the side of Llyn Padarn in Llanberis. Several other castles exist around North Wales and whilst less photogenic than others are well worth considering if in the area: Flint Castle along the coastline, Denbigh castle, Hawarden Castle, close to Chester and finally Caergwrle castle close to Wrexham.
The above locations are by no means a definitive list of all photography related locations around North Wales, there are simply endless photo opportunities. Hopefully however this guide will provide unfamiliar photographers and visitors with a few more options when visiting North Wales.
Accommodation In North Wales
These two valleys alone could provide the photographer with a lifetime of possibilities. Access is via the A5, travelling either from Bethesda in the west or Capel Curig in the east. Bethesda, although lacking the attractive appearance of the more picturesque Snowdonia villages is certainly not without character. It was built around the slate quarrying industry and is surrounded by the evidence of this, photographers particularly interested in industrial landscapes will find it a fascinating area, don't dismiss it on first impressions. In contrast, Capel Curig is much smaller and generally speaking, more visually appealing. It is more a hamlet than a village and is surrounded on all sides by impressive scenery. The Afon Llugwy runs through the centre, providing the spectacle of the Pont Cyfyng falls, particularly photogenic after a period of rainfall. Also, just on the outskirts are the desolate looking lakes known as Llynnau Mymbyr, surrounded by Moel Siabod, the Glyderau mountains and in the distance, the highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon.
Starting the journey along the A5 from the west, after leaving Bethesda the Nant Ffrancon valley appears dramatically in view, the road surrounded by two impressive mountain ranges, the Glyderau on one side and the Carneddau on the other. The picturesque river Ogwen flows through the valley too, nearby the road for much of the route towards Ogwen and it provides a great ?lead-in? for a shot along the valley, mountains and all. For those energetic photographers, equipped with a well-detailed ?Ordnance Survey? map, there are several walking routes that start from Bethesda and climb the surrounding mountains, indeed it's possible to walk the full distance from Bethesda to Capel Curig along the mountains ? a distance of 16 kilometres and height gain of 1600metres, a full day walk. The drive along the A5 to Ogwen presents multiple photographic opportunities, indeed the most difficult decision is what not to photograph. A stop at Ogwen is not to be missed as here you will find mountain lakes, waterfalls, impressive rock formations, flowing rivers and all of these no more than 30 minutes walk from the car park. For the more energetic the walking routes from Ogwen are nothing short of spectacular and provide a further wealth of photographic opportunities.
If the walking route directly behind Ogwen Cottage is chosen, ascending the Glyderau, a fascinating range of mountain scenery can be captured. The rugged and austere mountain known as Tryfan, world famous amongst climbers, the picturesque lake of Llyn Idwal and the mountain pass of Devils Kitchen. On reaching the summit the views down the Nant Ffrancon valley towards the Isle of Anglesey and across the Llanberis Pass to Snowdon are just breathtaking. Notable features on the summit include Bristly Ridge, Yr Wyddfa and Castell y Gwynt on Glyder Fach and the infamous Cantilever, a precariously balanced slate slab. These are only a few of the numerous attractions of this distinctive mountain range, all of which provide more than adequate compensation for the photographers efforts in reaching the summit.
If the path across from Ogwen Cottage is chosen then an ascent of the Carneddau is the objective. Even before starting the climb you arte confronted by the imposing figure of Pen yr olwen, a rugged and distinctive mountain standing directly alongside the A5. The Carneddau are quite different in character to the Glyderau mountains, equally as high, but on reaching the summit much flatter and less rugged in appearance. The view across to Tryfan from here is excellent, probably the place to capture Tryfan at its best. Walking along the ridge between Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn, the Isle of Anglesey and the Menai straits are constantly in view, although some distance away so a good telephoto is essential. The reservoir of Ffynnon Llugwy also appears well below in a hidden valley, forming the source of the Afon Llugwy river that follows the A5 down to Betws-y-Coed.
Restarting the journey by road from Ogwen travelling along the A5 towards Capel Curig, the Ogwen valley opens out wider, mountains still surrounding the valley but less imposing. Open moorland becomes evident and the Afon Llugwy river continues its route through the valley. There are several parking places along the route and a photograph taken looking back towards Ogwen provides a view of Llyn Ogwen and its spectacular backdrop, the Glyderau mountains. Tryfan is outstanding from here too, the best photograph probably captured during a winter sunset. Nearing Capel Curig the valley sides flatten somewhat and the drama of earlier subsides as the rugged mountains are left behind. Capel Curig itself though has several possibilities, as already mentioned.
Finally, if time was limited and I had to choose the best photographic opportunities along this part of the A5, without doubt it would be Ogwen. The variety of scenery and drama it provides the photographer, within such a small area, make it just too appealing to miss.
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Simonkit has sinced written about articles on various topics from Photography, Landscape Photography. my website article at www.landscapephotographyuk.com. Simonkit's top article generates over 1900 views. Bookmark Simonkit to your Favourites.
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