Description
Autumn in Exmoor 5 nights / 4 full days plus an optional photoshoot on the last morning.
Dates: 2nd – 7th November 2025
Price: £1450 – Deposit £300 balance due 8 weeks prior to workshop start.
Duration: 5 nights / 4 whole days plus an optional photoshoot on the last morning.
Max Group Size: 4
What’s Included:
5 nights B&B in a large house on the edge of Porlock Wier. All rooms have double beds and their own ensuite shower and toilet – there are no shared rooms or facilities.
4 full days of photography tuition plus an optional photoshoot on the last morning.
Image review, post processing and printing tuition in the evenings
The option to print some of your favourite images on fine art paper. Everyone will go home with at least one print from their trip.
Loan of filter kits if required
Transport between locations.
What’s excluded:
Transport to Devon
Meals aside from breakfast and dinner on the first night.
Travel Insurance
Description:
A fantastic opportunity to explore the West Country in the Autumn, where the North Somerset coastline meets the rugged wilds of Exmoor National Park; one of Englands smallest National Parks. Steeped in history and characterised by some fascinating geology this coastline is a mix of stunning landscapes perfect for photography.
Having spent 14 years living in Somerset this is a coastline that I know well and one that is stunning in the autumn.
We will be based in a well appointed house overlooking Porlock Wier. All rooms have double beds and their own ensuite shower and toilet – there are no shared rooms or facilities.
During our stay we will be visiting a variety of locations including:
Lynmouth – staying adjacent to the harbour Lynmouth provides an excellent location for our first sunrise shoot.
Porlock Weir affords a number of great photographic opportunities. It is a picturesque location with fantastic views and plenty of history. With its attractive harbour, multicoloured pebble beach and salt marsh there is plenty to explore and all on the doorstep for sunrise. This is also a great location for long exposure photography using the old wooden groynes on the beach and our visit will coincide with some good high tides for photographing the old tree in the marsh.
Watersmeet, an iconic location where the East Lyn river and Hoar Oak Water meet in a dramatic river gorge surrounded by woodland. The area, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, includes several waterfalls and an extensive area of ancient oak woodland. In autumn the colours are stunning which makes this the place perfect for photographing the drama of the river and the tranquility of the forest.
Valley of the Rocks, a stunning location perfect for sunset and with sweeping views along the North Devon Coast. The area is renowned for its geology, its breathtaking vistas and also for its feral goats which wander around the rock faces.
Robbers Bridge, an ancient masonry arch bridge in the royal forest of Exmoor near Doone Valley. Situated at the bottom of a steep hill and surrounded by trees this is the perfect place for some autumn colour.
Combesgate Beach a lovely rocky back north of Woolacombe suitable for long exposure and sunset photography.
Croyde Bay, a fantastic rocky area south of the main sandy beach suitable for long exposure and sunset photography
Kilve Beach, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and famed as the Jurassic Coast of the Bristol Channel. The beach is a mix of limestone and shingle with interesting rock formations sweeping the shoreline. It is well know for its fossils and ammonites are common.
Holford Woods, a fantastic area of mix native woodland which contains some beautiful areas of beech which are at their most vibrant in spring. There are also some quirky sisal oaks giving us a diverse area for photography.
The photography side of the workshop will be accompanied by some time with the computer looking at post processing using Lightroom and Photoshop. We will cover workflow and how to get the best from your images as well as looking at some more advanced techniques including panoramas, bracketing and focus stacking. I am keen to promote a relaxed and informal atmosphere on my workshops and there will be plenty of time for group discussion and image review.
The format of each day will vary depending on the weather and locations but we aim to take in both sunrise and sunset as well as shooting throughout the day. Dinner in the evening will be on location in a pub with the exception of the first night where dinner will be included.
Why choose a West Country workshop with me?
The West Country is somewhere I have a complete affinity with. It was my home for 14 years between 1993 – 2007 and since moving to Suffolk I have returned annually to see friends and photograph the landscapes that I was drawn to when I was younger.
I love this part of the world, the rolling hills, the lush vegetation and the rugged coastline, all the elements that make for varied photography. There is nothing better than helping others forge a connection with these landscapes that have so inspired me .
At the heart of all my workshops is the joy that being out in the natural world brings. My workshops are relaxed, fun fill sessions that forge friendships and inspire creativity.
What past clients have said about this workshop
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, Gill. A new and unfamiliar location with some spectacular scenery that I somehow wasn’t expecting …’
‘It was good to meet you and the other people on the group…It was nice to have a ‘chuckle’ here and there !!! I definitely learnt a great deal…’
‘Thank you for a fantastic workshop. You took us to some stunning locations and provided great support and advice in enabling me to get some images that I am pleased to share. Your blog summarises the essence of the trip. It was a great group and I will certainly not forget the many laughs that we shared.’
For further information please see my blog write up on the Spring 2024 trip.
Further information
Workshop duration
We will meet at the house at 4pm on Sunday 2nd November and the workshop will finish on Friday morning with the option of an additional morning photoshoot before heading home.
Suitability
This workshop is suitable for all no matter what level you are at photographically or what camera you use. The aim is to get to know a beautiful location with a group of like minded individuals. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 4 participants with two tutors allowing plenty of individual attention for all. We will cover a range of photographic techniques and will be taking in some diverse locations giving a stimulating few days whatever your ability.
Fitness
Most of the locations require little walking, however the trees on Porlock Marsh are a 20 minute walk from the carpark and the route up and down to Watersmeet can require a bit more energy.
What to bring
You will need your camera, a selection of lenses preferably a wide angle and a telephoto, a tripod, memory cards and space batteries. If you have filters please bring them. If you don’t you are welcome to borrow some for the weekend. It will also be advantageous to bring a lap top if you have one. This will allow you to take advantage of some post processing tuition.
You will also need some good outdoor clothing, a waterproof coat and some walking boots and wellies for some of the beach work.
If you would like a more detailed itinerary or have any questions please email me for more information.