If you conducted a survey of 10,000 landscape photographers and asked them what their favourite time of year was, I would bet good money that 99% of them would tell you Autumn. Well maybe Winter. But probably Autumn… If you’re looking for the best Autumn photography locations in Bristol and Somerset keep reading…

Anyway – in the South West we are blessed with some incredible locations for landscape photography. There is nothing more stunning than the changing colours of Autumn, so to combine these two together makes for photographic heaven.

Autumn brings with it not just this seasonal colour shift, but also changing weather conditions – and my personal favourite – heaps of mist and fog.

So where are the best Autumn photography locations in Bristol and Somerset? Read on for my personal favourite locations. If I’ve missed any off, or if you do go on a mission, please let me know in the comments below!

Best Autumn photography locations in Bristol and Somerset

Clifton Suspension Bridge

It’s certainly the most famous location in Bristol, but does it look any good during Autumn? Of course it does! Straddling the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge is in the perfect position for the changing colours of Autumn, with the surrounding trees of the Gorge and Leigh Woods providing an incredible backdrop. Take a position by Clifton Observatory looking across for the best view. Or even better, take a path that cuts from Clifton Promenade down to Portway, for an amazing view when the sun catches the trees along the side.

Clifton Promenade

This is my favourite location for photographing Autumn in Bristol. This long avenue of trees is stunning at any time of year, but really comes into its own during Autumn and early Winter as the trees turn through varying fiery colours. Keep an eye on misty forecasts and early morning or late afternoon golden light and head straight here!

Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower

This central location is a great spot to catch Autumn colours, with the variety of trees all changing colour and making a great backdrop (or foreground) for the iconic tower. The view from up the tower isn’t bad as well!

Leigh Woods

One of my favourite locations in Bristol. Just over the Suspension Bridge lies Leigh Woods – a vast sprawling woodland that sits alongside the Avon Gorge. Within it are some absolute beauties of trees – it’s well worth a wander during late autumn when the leaves are just about clinging on and there are carpets of crispy ones on the ground. Lovely at sunset here. There is a great lookout point which has views across to the Suspension Bridge.

Ashton Court

Another great Autumn location. I have many, many misty photos of red deer here, and it is the perfect location to capture them. Ashton Court is a mist trap – if any is forecast locally, you can almost guarantee there will be some here.

Arnos Vale

My local spot. Arnos Vale Cemetery is a vast place to explore, with a wide variety of trees, many of which look stunning during autumn. With misty weather, it can become an interesting location to photograph. Just by the cemetery is Arnos Court park, with my favourite cherry tree. This puts on an autumn display too…

Stockhill Wood

One of my personal favourite locations for photography. I’ll be exploring the woodland here up in the Mendips all year round. However, autumn is a great time to visit in particular – there’s more mist and dotted through the woodland are the occasional colour changing tree. Highly recommended.

Chew Valley

Another favourite location. I love this area during Autumn and Winter. There is a greater chance of mist during this season and it is already an area that sees mist regularly. Chew Valley Lake itself is an easy one for photography, particularly at sunrise – you can pull right up by the lake and snap away with minimal effort. Head up to the hills above Chew Stoke to get above the mist, or venture over to Blagdon Lake for another great viewpoint.

Blaise Castle and Blaise Hamlet

A castle surrounded by beautiful autumnal trees and a nearby quaint hamlet of thatched houses? Go on then… Blaise is well worth a visit at this time of year – if you head to Blaise Castle for a walk, head up to the pretend castle at the top. Make sure to take the short walk to the nearby Blaise Hamlet with the lovely houses set around the central green. It’s perfect Instagram-friendly fodder.

Tyntesfield House

This Victorian gothic mansion is an excellent spot for autumn – with 540 acres of grounds to explore and even a pumpkin display to boot (not literally).

Westonbirt Arboretum

It’s one of the best locations in the UK to catch autumn colours, and it’s no surprise that it becomes absolutely rammed with visitors. The colours on display here are breathtaking, especially the maples. A must visit, as it is only around 45 mins from Bristol.

The Wye Valley

Just across the Severn Bridge sits Tintern Abbey and the Wye Valley, straddling the border between England and Wales. This is an excellent place to come for a walk during autumn and is prone to a river of mist running down it…

Forest of Dean

A little further on from the Wye Valley is the Forest of Dean. The colours here during autumn are like something from New England in the USA. Mallard’s Pike is well worth a visit.

Stourhead and King Alfred’s Tower

I love both of these locations, which lie in Wiltshire, just over the border from Somerset. This area is highly prone to mist so is one I have begun exploring a lot more recently. Expect me to update this section with misty photos soon…

Bath

I’ll be honest here. I have not explored Bath as much as I should have during Autumn, but I can assure you that a visit to the beautiful city in Autumn will see you come away happy.

Prior Park Gardens is one location well worth checking out (I know I will be this year). Thanks to Alex Montacute for the suggestion.

Where are your favourite Autumn photo locations in Bristol and Somerset?

Let me know where I’ve missed off and I’ll add them to the list!

Looking for autumn prints?

Please see my autumn prints category in my shop for prints from across Bristol, Somerset and beyond. Click here.