Hello, I’m David a Lake District Wedding Photographer, and feel truly blessed calling The Lakes my home.
Living close to Windermere allows me to indulge in my passions of Outdoor pursuits and of course photography, where I usually have a camera in my hand and a smile on my face 🙂
If you are planning a wedding in Cumbria, then please get in touch and hopefully the following photos may act as inspiration.
The below photos convey my non staged, natural, authentic style shot within every corner of Lakeland at several prestigious wedding venues.
Would like to see a recent wedding in Cumbria you can see Helen & James’s photos from Askham Hall.
Are you planning an elopement wedding or proposal in The Lakes or Cumbria ?
I’m known for my epic cinematic style of photography so click here for details as I offer a comprehensive planning service where you can tap into my local knowledge to plan your perfect day.
The Lake District’s rugged scenery, has shaped amongst others William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin. Each year tens of thousands of people visit their former homes of Dove Cottage, Hilltop Farm and Brantwood, with camera in hand to take the obligatory photograph to document their travels.
It may even be possible that you arrived in at one of these properties in The Lakes via the local Mountain Goat Bus service or used an iconic Wainwright guide to navigate there.
Alfred Wainwright took 13 years to painstaking draw by hand his 7 Pictorial Guides to The Lakeland fells and are considered masterpieces that transcend time, resembling annotated photographs.
A short cycle ride from my home in Cumbria takes you to the beautiful Longsleddale Valley; which provided the inspiration by the Kendal based author Jon Cuncliffe, for his Postman Pat series of books.
Any list of iconic Cumbrian’s would be incomplete without mentioning Stan Laurel born in the South Lake District town of Ulverston in 1890, was one half of the comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy, and their statue is the most photographed within Cumbria.
Just a short hop northwards is Coniston Water where Donald Campbell who broke numerous land and water speed records, and lost his life in 1967 whilst attempting to beat his own World record on The Lake. His boat Bluebird K7 had disastrous consequences when it flipped then disintegrated in the water at over 300mph.
At the southern end of Coniston lies Peel Island which formed the inspiration for Arthur Ramson’s book, Swallows and Amazons where it morphed into Wildcat Island. This always holds special memories when my young daughter, Francesca I kayaked to Peel Island for an overnight wild camp. Like the book and film, this is what real adventures is all about spending a night surrounded by water on an Island in the middle of a Lake. Keep memories alive is why it’s so important to choose your wedding photographer, and I’m known for my epic cinematic images.
We drove home via Grasmere, under the shadow of the mighty and often photographed Helm Crag, where at it’s foot lies Lancrigg, a soon to be opened wedding having sublime photogenic views right from its doorstep. At Grasmere, we then nipped in for a breakfast consisting wholly of Grasmere Gingerbread.
Talking of yumminess, The Lakes is synonymous with food. I mean who hasn’t heard of Kendal Mint Cake ? Most of us at some stage has had an emergency pack stuffed into our rucksack whilst hiking up the popular Langdale Pikes, which were my first ever Lakeland peak. Other popular peaks within Cumbria include, Catbells, Haystacks, Great Gable, Coniston Old Man and Blencathra which have great form and are highly photogenic.
Cumbria is scattered with many picture postcard country Inns and pubs, like The Old Dungeon Ghyll, The Kirkstile Inn, The Drunken Duck and the highest of them all, The Kirkstone Pass Inn at 1,489 feet above sea level, almost three Blackpool Towers ! Most days, you’ll see folks talking photos on their phones, many unaware that the name Kirkstone derides from a stone (on the north side of the pass leading to Patterdale) that resembles a steeple; “kirk” means church in old Norse.
On many dessert menus within Lakeland, you’ll find, Sticky toffee Pudding, thought to have been created by Francis Coulson, who back in 1960 at his hotel, Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel, a former wedding venue on the shores of Ullswater.
STP is now synonymous with Cartmel, a village in South Lakeland famous for its ancient priory and Christian Worship for over 800 years. It is now just as famous for being a “Foodie Town”, as in 2022, Simon Rogan’s restaurant, L’Enclume was awarded its third Michelin star, a feat only managed by two other restaurants outside of London.
A short motor bike ride westwards from Cartmel will take you to Barrow, home town of one of the country’s most loved TV chefs, Dave Myers who along with his mate Si King are otherwise known as The Hairy bikers. Barrow is home to the dual wedding venues of Abbey House and The Dunes where nearby Roan Head is the perfect place to take photos with the brooding Duddon Estuary as a backdrop.
All this talk of food is making me pine for exercise and The Lakes is a hot spot for all sorts of Outdoor pursuits and events.
When I competed The Windermere Marathon back in the day, little did I know that I would many years later become one of the region’s most sought after wedding photographer. The 26.2 mile lap of the Lake starts at The Glebe, Bowness-upon-Windermere and takes an anti-clockwise loop and passes many wedding venues on route.
The route passes a host of some of the most well known wedding venues in The Lakes. Almost at the start line is The Belsfield Hotel and the route takes one towards Ambleside via Rayrigg Road, where you pass a collection of 3 wedding venues in close proximity known as “The Woods”; Cragwood, Briery Woods and Merewood.
The road then passes close to The Lake at Low Wood Bay before reaching the jetty’s at Ambleside where you loop southwards towards Hawkshead and Newby Bridge. Several other wedding venue’s are passed including Belmount Hall, Silverholme and Lakeside Hotel and Spa located on the shoreline right next to The Lakes Aquarium.
Around the 20 mile mark you cross the beautiful bridge spanning the River Leven next to The Swan Hotel and Spa, another popular wedding venue.
The route then passes three more wedding venues; Townhead Estate, a relatively new venue with a burgeoning reputation, Beech Hill and the majestic Storrs Hall, which is but a short distance back to the finishing line at The Glebe.
If running isn’t your thing, then there are so many other adventure challenges throughout Cumbria.
I’m at present eyeing up the Fred Whitton Challenge, Britain’s Premier Sportive Cycling event. 112 miles is for many a good day in the saddle, but when you factor in the climbs of the mighty Lakeland road passes, which include, Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Wynose and the daddy of them all the 30% challenge of Hardknott Pass.
Another iconic Lakeland challenge is The Bob Graham round which can be “walked” either clockwise, or anti-clockwise and must start and finish at Moot Hall, Keswick. In 1932 Bob, a Keswick Hotelier decided that to celebrate his 42nd birthday, he would “walk” a fell for every year of his life; meaning this challenge means walking 42 fells, over 72 miles, and with a height gain equivalent to almost climbing Mount Everest.
Most people can walk 3 miles in an hour on the flat, but to maintain this consecutively 24 times in a row takes some doing. For many years the living legend that is fell-runner Joss Naylor who resides in The Western Lakes near to Wasdale Head, held the record for the fastest time, which is now an unbelievable 12hrs 23m set by Jack Kuenzle in 2022.
A slightly kinder, yet worthy challenge, is the annual Lakeland 3’s, which consists of walking the four 3,000 ft mountains in England; which are Skiddaw, Scafell, Scafell Pike and Helvellyn within 24 hours.
Scafell Pike (3,206 ft) is the highest point in England, so it’s obligatory to take a photo, or even a selfie on the summit cairn and this imho is the best viewpoint in the whole of The Lakes. This on a personal level is where my biggest photography disappointment occurred.
After physical exertion then what better way to finish a mountain adventure with a dip in the numerous tarns, rivers and waterfalls that can be found throughout The Lakes, and I’ve been an advocate of this for decades and nowadays we call this wild water swimming.
A whole new industry has emerged, especially since lockdown, and it has become a badge of honour to wear clothing like a Dryrobe which is now synonymous with this simple recreational activity.
Only recently, my friend, author and owner of Swim The Lakes in Ambleside Pete Kelly who wrote “Wild Swimming Walks” were chatting about how tarns like Blea Tarn, Stickle Tarn, and Red Tarn have become so popular.
The beauty about Cumbria is that there are so many lesser known places to immerse oneself in nature. The benefits of getting out there whether a stream, river, waterfall, or Lake is the ideal antidote for modern life. The great news is that it is proven to boost one’s immune system and have a positive impact upon one’s mental health.
Of course you don’t have to join in any event to enjoy The Great Outdoors as the Lakes has so much to offer whether enjoying a day out with your partner, friends or family.
Perhaps the most unusual event and is a must to any visitor to The Lakes, is the annual Egremont Crab Fair established in 1267. It has events such as Cumberland Wrestling, Wheelbarrow racing, Greasy Pole Climbing, Pipe Smoking and a Gurning competition. Gurning literally means to make a strange facial expression, or to pull a face and is a peculiarity around this part of West Cumbria.
Most people outside of Cumbria Googled have probably never heard of Egremont, yet it’s a hidden gem, or a rough diamond as the locals would say. With low house prices, close proximity to The Western Lakes, it is also home to the birthplace of Cumbria’s finest band, It Bites and their frontman, Francis Dunnery.
Wedding Venues – The Hidden gems of The Lakes and Cumbria.
Talking of hidden gems, not far from Egremont, is a part of The Lakes which feels like stepping back in time, the peerless Vale of Lorton. Here you’ll find New House Farm, a wedding venue nestled between the fells and a mere stones throw from the triple Lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water, and Loweswater.
With 2 barns to choose from, 15 acres of space including private woodland and a large pond, photo opportunities are limitless. The icing on the cake is Hazel (the owner extraordinaire) whose mantra is nothing is too much trouble, and actively encourages each couple to design their wedding in a unique bespoke manner. Click here to see why weddings taken here and see why this is such a special place.
A similar wedding venue vibe on a smaller scale can be found at Hause Hill Farm high up on the flanks of Hallin Fell. This Fell, is arguably the best bang for effort viewpoint in the The Lakes, and takes less than 20 mins to climb. This venue is perfect for the small intimate wedding and the fells surrounding Martindale are quiet and the views across Ullswater are to die for.
These next two new to the market wedding venues are worth your consideration if you haven’t yet chosen your venue, and can easily be reached by the M6.
Lilymere Estate is a spectacular, set on 1,500 acres of private lakeside property, woodlands, and rolling moorland. Couples can take advantage of the many beautiful spots for photography in the area, including Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Rose Castle held its first wedding fair in February 2023, and its impressive exterior is equally matched by its beautiful interior which will wow potential couples looking for something utterly unique.
A few miles away is Dalston Hall. Under new ownership this magnificent Grade II listed building is full of character and charm with beautiful gardens which provides wedding photo opportunities galore.
The Gilpin for many needs little introduction and not only has some of the best food in the region (its often booked up months in advance) it’s own private boat house and Lake for the most discerning of couples demand for their secluded wedding.
If you are new to The Lakes and are looking to elope and want some inspiration, then the following places are popular, providing suitable backdrop for those all important photos.
High up above the wedding venue of Lodore Falls are Surprise view and Ashness Bridge which is the most photographed bridge in all of The Lakes. Nearby is Friars Crag, a popular spot for marriage proposals and is another iconic place to be seen having your photo taken or even a checky selfie.
In the opposite direction is Latrigg, a fell high overlooking Keswick and Derwentwater. Many drive up to the car park before taking a short walk to the 368m summit, which gives spectacular 360 degree views of The Northern Lakes. At dawn or dusk your likely to see several photographers with their tripods, wide angle lenses and ND filters, all useful for Astro Photography. Many hardy souls travel hours to The Lakes to photograph the milky way and if they are lucky glimpse the northern lights.
Many other popular places for taking photos with stunning views and can be easily Googled are Castlerigg Stone Circle, Gunnerside Howe, Tarn Howes and Cathedral Caves. I regularly take couples to these places after their wedding to capture some stunning photography. There are however, many lesser known secret locations that very few people know about and I often keep these photos private so these special places, retain their anonymity.
If you are a Lakes lover who values photography and loves venturing off the beaten track, and who is planning a wedding, then let’s connect. Being an adventurous soul myself (I hold various mountaineering qualifications) then I’ll love to talk to you about your any type of wedding including elopement, and may even help you plan and piece together your perfect day.
