Over 50 of the best photography locations around Somerset

Introduction

Are you looking for landscape photography locations around Somerset? Here is my comprehensive list of the best spots for photos in Somerset. I’m going to keep adding to this and if I’ve missed any, please let me know in the comments at the bottom.

Somerset is a large county in the South West of the UK, bordering with Gloucestershire and Wiltshire at the top and Devon and Dorset at the bottom.

I grew up here and went to school here, before moving away – however since taking up photography I have found myself drawn back to explore it again and again. I’m now noticing a lot more than I did when I was a youngling!

Fantastic photo spots

Predominantly rural, the largest settlements within the county include Bath and Taunton. For photographers there are fantastic locations to visit, including towns and cities such as Glastonbury, Wells, Weston-super-Mare, Cheddar and many more.

Somerset includes the coastal plain and wetland the Levels, and also Exmoor, the Quantocks, the Mendips, the Polden Hills and parts of Cranborne Chase and the Blackdown Hills.

Topographically there is a huge variation to the landscape – which is perfect for photography.

So where do I think are the best landscape photography locations around Somerset? Below are the most photographic destinations to explore with your camera.

I would love to hear your thoughts – if I’ve missed any locations, drop a comment below.

If you use this guide, please don’t forget to give me a shout out when you post any photos, I’d love to see what you capture!

If you are looking for fine art prints of Somerset, please also swing by my shop. I also have plenty of images on my Instagram account which can be added as prints – let me know if I’ve missed any that you’d like added here.

Landscape photography location guide for Somerset

Glastonbury Tor

Much like Clifton Suspension Bridge is the iconic Bristol landmark, Glastonbury Tor is the same for Somerset. It is the most famous location in the county – and fittingly it can be seen from a good chunk of it too.

Some of my all time favourite mornings out with a camera have been from up here – or if not up the Tor, then from a hill close by (or much further afield), looking at it.

I would highly recommend visiting here for a sunrise. Personally, the best time of year to visit Glastonbury Tor is in the Spring. It is always busy up the top, no matter the time of day you go (I have been there in the middle of the night, and I’ve had a bongo drummer and a disco for company. No joke!).

Best time of year

Sunrise in May is at a silly time, and so you’ll have it mostly to yourself around then. Another plus for this time of year is that the sun rises perfectly in line with the doorway of St Michael’s Tower, which sits atop the hill. It’s a great walk up and you’ll struggle to find a place as magical as this on a misty morning. Glastonbury Tor is surrounded by myths and legends, and it’s hard not to get wrapped up in it when experiencing such ethereal conditions.

Parking used to be fairly ok – you could plonk your car by the gate at the north side of the hill, however this area was blocked off not so long ago so you now need to park closer to the town and walk up. It’s not that far though – just make sure you leave enough time in the morning and for the leg-burning stomp up the hill. I always try and arrive at a location at least 30 minutes before sunrise, so you need to be parking up well over an hour before sunrise.

From the summit, you can take images with the tower in, however the views from the top are far-reaching and you can make good use of a telephoto zoom lens here. I will often switch to a 100-400mm lens – great for isolating pockets of trees in the mist, Brent Knoll, hot air balloons, and even King Alfred’s Tower, in the far distance.

So where are the best views of Glastonbury Tor? There are a number of great locations dotted around the Somerset Levels and Mendips which are great for Glastonbury Tor images – I’ll be covering these below.

Wearyall Hill

This long narrow ridge lies to the west of Glastonbury Tor and gives you a great elevated spot – perfect for a sunrise and also for a moonrise, depending on timings.

Street – Walton Hill

The large village of Street lies around 2 miles from Glastonbury. It makes a great location for getting low images Glastonbury Tor – you’ll find plenty of opportunities here. One of the best views of Glastonbury Tor is from the elevated position at Walton Hill.

This is a brilliant location for medium to long range images of the Tor. There’s a convenient car park with the field and view of the Tor right next door. It’s one of the easiest photo outings going.

Wells

The smallest city in the UK (technically the City of London is smaller, but let’s be honest, London is London…), the cathedral city of Wells is a beautiful place to visit. Bishop’s Palace and the Cathedral are fantastic to visit, and whilst there take a walk along Vicars’ Close. This cobbled street should be top of your list for a visit here.

Somerset Levels

A trip to Somerset wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Avalon Marshes. Comprising Ham Wall, Shapwich Heath and Westhay Moor, amongst others, these marshland nature reserves are a haven for all kinds of wildlife.

Visit in the Winter and catch a murmuration at sunset (you won’t witness these at sunrise – however Walton Hill – see above – is great for watching them fly off for the day).

This is one of the best locations in the UK for wildlife photography.

Cheddar Gorge

I grew up here – absolutely hated it! Not so much now. Cheddar Gorge is one of those locations you must tick off – it really is a spectacular place. The limestone gorge cuts through the Mendip Hills, with the road winding like a snake. The cliffs are almost 400ft deep in places, with the road cutting through for 3 miles. The best spot to head up is the path running up to Jacob’s Ladder – you can park directly opposite. It’s a thigh-burning walk up, but you are rewarded with dizzying views.

Take a wide angle lens with you – creep to the edge (be very careful – it’s quite the drop) and capture light trails of the rumbling cars rounding the hairpin bends far beneath. The image here was at 14mm.

Another option often overlooked by photographers is to head up the gorge on the opposite side. This misses out on the classic hairpin bend photo, but you get an interesting angle and a chance at capturing the Milky Way, if you are astrophotography-inclined.

Ashton Windmill

Another great local spot to Cheddar. Ashton Windmill is an 18th century flour mill situated just outside the village of Wedmore.

The Mendips

The Mendip Hills are a range of limestone hills just south of Bristol, running across the northern part of Somerset. This is my go-to area for dog walks and photography (often at the same time). Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), there are many great locations to visit here for photography. As a fan of mist, it is a brilliant area to get an elevated position above any potential inversion.

Crook Peak

I love this location. One of the highest points in the Mendips, Crook Peak is the pointed ridge any drivers on the M5 will see as they make their way along the motorway through Somerset. It’s a great walk up – like a miniature Pen y Fan hike. The outcrop of limestone at the summit makes a great part of any composition. I tend to park at the bottom and a brisk jaunt up to the top will take around 30-45 minutes.

From the top, use a telephoto lens – I often use the 400mm end of my 100-400mm – Glastonbury Tor is easily identifiable from here, and you can see as far as Exmoor, and even to the Brecon Beacons on a clear day. I’ve caught a couple of fantastic cloud inversions here and nothing beats walking up through a sea of mist.

Wavering Down and Black Down are two other peaks in the Mendips well worth an explore.

Stockhill Wood

After Clifton Suspension Bridge, this is probably the location I have spent the most time. A beautiful coniferous woodland in the Mendips, there are plenty of different tracks to walk, with some excellent gnarly trees dotted around the wood. It is prone to mist here – I will often find pockets of it dotted through the trees. Take your wellies as it often gets boggy.

Priddy Pool

Just over the road from Stockhill lies the nature reserve of Priddy Mineries. I’ll often head here at sunrise – there is almost always a bank of mist lying across this section, so wandering up one of the many tracks will take you to a great elevated position with Stockhill Wood as a backdrop. The long grass here attracts plenty of dew-covered spider webs, making for great photos. There is a lone tree at Priddy Pool, to one side, which I have many, many photos of. It’s particularly dark around here, so is also a good spot for astrophotography.

East Harptree

Not far from Stockhill lies the smaller woodland of East Harptree. It’s not dissimilar to the former, with the addition of an interesting chimney at the centre. Just around the corner from here is a fantastic view looking out across the Chew Valley and the rolling hills of North Somerset. It’s quite a good fallback if sunrise at Stockhill isn’t up to scratch.

Deer Leap

This fantastic location is about 10 minutes drive from Stockhill Wood, and I will often visit both. Deer Leap has fantastic views across the Somerset Levels, including towards Glastonbury Tor. This is a perfect location to catch a cloud inversion. Park at the top, and there is an immediate walk along the Mendips, however you can carry on down the hill for 10 minutes or so, where you’ll find a field with standing stones, which make a great composition with the Levels and the Tor as a backdrop. Just watch out for the resident cows…

Ebbor Gorge

Just down the hill from Deer Leap is another wood worthy of a wander. There are interesting trees dotted around Ebbor Gorge, but it’s worth following the path all the way up the gorge to the rocky outcrop at the top, which has commanding views of the Somerset Levels.

DRAYCOTT SLEIGHTS

Just up the hill from Draycott and Cheddar sits the south-facing Draycott Sleights. With far-reaching views, this nature reserve is home to a stunning avenue of beech trees. It is a beautiful location.

Chew Valley Lake

Just to the south of Bristol lies the Chew Valley. The Chew Valley Lake is the 5th largest artificial lake in the UK and is a national centre for birdwatching, being home to over 260 different species. I love catching sunrise here – it’s a great spot for a Winter morning as the sun rises in a great spot – and you also stand a good chance of witnessing a murmuration here too.

Chew Stoke

Due to the volume of water, it’s a great location for mist too. Head up into the hills above Chew Stoke for a great view of the church and village rising through the mistiness. It’s worth driving the lanes around here when it is misty – quite often I have come across incredible scenes of misty light rays as the sun starts to break through.

Blagdon Lake

Just along from Chew Valley Lake is the smaller Blagdon Lake. Home to many species of birds as well, it’s another great location for catching a sunrise.

During Winter, the sun rises in a great spot.

Dundry

In the hills above Bristol lies the village of Dundry – from here there are fantastic views over the city, perfect for a misty morning or for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Just make sure to take a long lens!

Maes Knoll

Along from Dundry lies Maes Knoll – this is another great spot for long range views of Bristol, but looking south will give you fantastic views over North Somerset.

Clevedon Pier

The winner of Pier of the Year 2021 and described by John Betjeman as the most beautiful pier in England, this is a wonderful spot for photography. Park close to the pier – there are spots right by it (easy at sunrise, not so much for sunset). Get down close to the pier at a lower tide for a great wide angle image including the large pebbles at the shore, or take a wander further along the seafront for a shot looking back.

I have also managed to capture the Northern Lights from here, as it faces directly north across the Bristol Channel, although there was quite a lot of light pollution.

Sunset is great here in the Summer months, with the sun dipping down directly ahead.

Clevedon Marine Lake

Just along from the pier is Clevedon Marine Lake. Normally frequented by lunatic swimmers (they’re far braver than I am!), this is an amazing spot to capture long exposures when there’s a high tide. The water here reaches high enough to cover most of it, save for a few steps. This lends itself to minimalist photography.

Portishead Marina and Black Nore Lighthouse

Portishead is another great location in North Somerset – with the boat-filled harbour a great spot for interesting reflections. Black Nore Lighthouse is just further along the coast and is a tiny lighthouse – use a wide angle lens here for a great sunset photo.

Leigh Woods

At the other end of Clifton Suspension Bridge lies Abbots Leigh and next to it Leigh Woods. This national nature reserve is a brilliant place to wander – there are plenty of ancient trees here, including some fantastic gnarly beasts! It’s a brilliant location to visit when it’s foggy and especially when there’s a hoar frost. Follow the first carpark path directly and you will eventually end up at a great look-out point towards Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Flax Bourton / Bourton Combe

This dense woodland just outside Bristol is a brilliant walk and also an excellent spot for wild garlic hunting. You just won’t need to hunt much – it is absolutely covered in it during Spring.

May is the best time to capture the wild garlic flowering. Just be wary – it’s tick central (I speak from experience).

Wrington Hill and Goblin Combe

Wrington Hill is in my opinion the best place to photograph bluebells in Somerset and close to Bristol. It’s also the worst kept secret in landscape photography circles locally – you are guaranteed to see at least half a dozen other photographers there once it hits May.

If you do go, be very careful – don’t stray from the paths. Bluebells take years to grow, so if they are crushed are damaged, they will most likely be gone. It’s not a large location, so you have to work hard for an angle (and one free from other photographers in-shot).

Goblin Combe is just round the corner, much bigger and also equally covered.

Weston-super-Mare

This popular seaside town is full of interesting spots for photography. The Grand Pier is the most obvious choice, and a very good one too. Check tide times, and do some long exposures here. Sunset is directly ahead, so is a great time to visit.

Take a wander along the front and around to Knightstone Island – this is a fantastic spot to photograph the high tide, when the causeway is partially submerged.

Burnham-on-Sea

The seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea lies just around the coast from Weston. Photographically, there are plenty of options here, including the pier, however most will head to the Low Lighthouse.

The red and white striped Grade-II listed “lighthouse on legs” was built in 1832 and makes fantastic photos. Although best at sunset, it is a great location to time with a high tide. Take your tripod and try a long exposure to smooth out the water, or wait for the tide to head out and pick out interesting patterns in the water. The red and white stripes can be found on the sea-facing side, so head out across the sand for that angle. Just be wary of the tide here – it comes in fast, and the sand can be boggy in places, so be careful.

Berrow

The seaside village of Berrow is just along from Burnham and the Low Lighthouse, and has another fantastic photographic subject.

The shipwreck of the S.S. Nornen, which ran aground in 1897, lies on the beach. This is an excellent one for a lower tide – too high and you won’t reach it. Sunset is best here as well, unless you’re planning to do some long exposures. It’s very boggy in the sand around it – be careful!

Brent Knoll

This 137m high hill lies on the Somerset Levels, alongside the M5 motorway. Like Crook Peak, it’s a distinctive part of the Somerset landscape and one that all travellers on the way past will recognise.

It’s a great walk up to the top, with far-reaching views – to Glastonbury Tor and beyond on one side, and across the Bristol Channel to Wales on the opposite side. A good telephoto is essential here. Whilst there are wider compositions, it’s a great spot to pick off locations from a distance.

Bath

Bath actually deserves its’ own guide, so I’ll keep this one brief, however there are some fantastic spots to check out here, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge (a classic landscape photography location) and the Royal Crescent (perfect for golden hour).

Kelston Roundhill

This conical shaped hill is a landmark that residents of both Bristol and Bath will recognise (although they may not know the name!). The hill can be seen from both cities – with its’ distinctive clump of trees visible for miles around.

The views from the top are fantastic – with views over Bath and towards Bristol, plus the rolling north Somerset landscape. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Wales.

It also makes a great focal point from a distance – it works nicely for moon photography, plus also dangling out the back window on a misty morning…

Pensford Viaduct

This disused railway bridge lies in the village of Pensford just off the Wells Road south of Bristol. It’s a great spot for a misty morning, and even for astrophotography.

Stanton Drew stone circles

The stone circles lie in the small village of Stanton Drew lies in the Chew Valley, just outside Bristol. Considered to be one of the largest Neolithic monuments to be built, it is around 4000-5000 years old. Another great option for a misty morning.

Paulton – slag heap

The village of Paulton is just north of the Mendips and has within it what looks at first glance like a volcano. Or not. Known as “The Batch”, it is the spoil tip for what used to be the coal mining community. It’s an unusual location, that’s for sure.

Somerset Lavender Farm

This working lavender farm, close to Radstock is a brilliant location to visit in June and July, when the incredible aroma of lavender wafts through the air. Go at sunrise to witness the bees waking up…

King Alfred’s Tower

This fairytale-like tower (Rapunzel?) lies just on the edge of Somerset, at the border with Wiltshire.

Bruton Dovecote

Not far from King Alfred’s Tower is Bruton Dovecote, a limestone tower built between the 15th and 17th century. It’s an eye-catching location.

Ham Hill

This is a geological site of special scientific interest centred around an Iron Age hillfort. It’s an interesting location, with a great view too.

Burrow Mump

This small hill overlooks Southlake Moor in the village of Burrowbridge. Like a miniature Glastonbury Tor, there is a small incomplete church at the top. It’s a great location for misty mornings and even for astrophotography.

Take a wander to the nearby roads to get a wide image of the hill – perfect for misty Winter mornings.

Burrow Hill

Every landscape photographer likes a lone tree. Well here’s an excellent one. Like the nearby Burrow Mump, this is a great location for a misty morning. It’s worth noting that at Christmas every year, it is decorated in colourful baubles, so makes an excellent festive photograph.

The Quantocks

Just to the west of Bridgwater lies the Quantocks – a hilly landscape with fantastic views, and England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). You’ll find ancient oak woodland here. It’s an excellent location for a Winter outing. Head to the eerily named Dead Woman’s Ditch to wander amongst the gnarly trees.

Kilve

Just by the coast alongside the Quantocks is Kilve beach. Famous for being the Jurassic coast stretch on the Bristol Channel side, the ridges along the shore here are perfect for coastal photography. Head here when the tide is a little lower.

Porlock Marshes

This is a wonderful location for photography. The salt marsh at Porlock Weir is an ethereal alien landscape – with twisted dead trees jutting out, frozen in time. Keep an eye on tide times – you want a particularly high tide, one which will reach to and surround the trees. It comes in quickly, so be warned.

Exmoor

Stretching across both Somerset and Devon is Exmoor National Park. With moorland, woodland and a spectacular coast, it’s a great place to explore, with plenty on offer for photography. Accredited as an International Dark Sky Reserve, it is an amazing place to do astrophotography.

Dunster Castle

This former castle lies in the village of Dunster. A picturesque spot. Also – there’s a great sweet shop in Dunster. Win win!

Selworthy

A quaint village of thatched cottages nestled in Exmoor, with rolling hills as a backdrop. Part of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, this is a great location to visit, especially because of the tasty cream teas…

Tarr Steps

This medieval stone bridge crossing makes for great photos, particularly during the Autumn months.

Robber’s Bridge

This stone bridge lies deep within Exmoor, near the Doone Valley. It’s a beautiful spot.

Wimbleball Lake

Nestled deep within Exmoor, lies this beautiful lake, which was built as a reservoir in the 1970s. There is a 161ft high dam next to it. It’s a stunning location for photography – but for me personally, it is an amazing astrophotography location.

It is an incredibly dark location, so is perfect for capturing the night sky. Keep an eye on Milky Way timing and set up by the shore of the lake. Pack extra layers – it is freezing cold here…

Dunkery Beacon

The highest point in Exmoor – a great spot for astrophotography and also for days when there is a cloud inversion.

Horner Wood

This ancient oak forest lies within Exmoor National Park, and is a vast woodland. There is a lot to see here, however head up the steep sides to find the low-growing twisted oaks.

Where are the best photo locations in Somerset?

Have I missed any great spots? Let me know below!