Stephen Walton Photography Workshops

For those local photographers in the North West region looking for somewhere new to journey with your camera then listen up. I’ve put together a list of my favourite travels to wonderful photo sites in North Wales.

Personally, I’d recommend any of them to photographers looking for some inspirational views, quiet places to work without the constant flow of tourists as well as varied sites of fauna and flora. In no particular order, let’s go…

1. Clocaneog Forest

This fairly innocuous patch of woodland is split in two when you arrive. Looking at it from a map the left side is a deciduous forest with a looping pathway. But it’s the right side that I’ve found more photographic. There’s a large open lake and a few old buildings which are beautifully hidden.

Accessed via the B5015 it’s not near any tourist spots so it tends to be quiet. Adventuring onto the other side of the main road before you enter Clocaneog means you can drive through a huge area of uninterrupted forest on suspension-ending dirt track roads – looks great, but be warned!

2. Llandegla Forest

Now a bit of a commercial hotspot and a haven for weekend lycra lovers (cyclists) Llandegla is what happens to a forest when it becomes like a sponsored influencer on Instagram – amazing to look at, but with an expensive bite.

Now it may not be much, and I appreciate it’s all going towards the upkeep of the site but you’ll have to pay for parking (around £5-£8 depending upon the time of year), which is always a bummer. With that said, you get your money’s worth with the immense trails stretching for miles. There are separate tracks for walkers and bikers so you’ll rarely cross paths.

You can stick to the woodland paths or venture out onto the moorland outside the forest boundary – but it can get really windy. There is a great mix of fauna and managed forests with little paths weaving in between (and you know I love my forest paths!)

3. Nercwys Forest

This is probably one of my favourite North Wales forests. Nercwys is situated just outside Mold and isn’t that well signposted – all the better for photographers who want some peace and quiet.

There is always parking spaces (for free) and a few different paths to take from the main drag. It’s not the biggest of forests but still, its a got great views and a mix of florals and woodland plants to photograph.

I’d recommend taking the first left off the main path heading east, giving you amazing views of Cheshire (you can see as far as Warrington on a good day) and then into an area of huge pine trees, great for selfies!

4. World’s End

An apt name for a place that looks so barren and lifeless, but I love minimalist views like this. I’ve done numerous photo shoots up at World’s End. It sits above the town of Llangollen and requires a 10-15 minute single-track drive up some precarious hillsides.

But when you’re at the top you’ll agree – it’s worth it. The flat landscape gives you amazing views in any direction. If you’re doing a portrait shoot in the outdoors World’s End offers a perfect backdrop – it’s plain, interrupting and peaceful.

Be aware, that going to take solely landscape photos here may not offer the most inspiring results. Think portraits, products, cars, or couple of shots to make the most of the location.

Do you know any more places I need to check out and add to my list? Let me know if you do, I’m always looking for a new place to visit.