Top locations for landscape photography in the Peak District and Derbyshire

2. Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill

Photographing Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill will never give you ‘average’ landscape photographs. No matter what level your skills are, this rugged yet breathtaking part of the National Park will practically hand you great photos itself!

There’s something in the fact that this was once a coral reef hundreds of million years ago, so its staggered shape is truly spectacular and completely different from most landscapes.

For parking, head to the village of Earl Sterndale, near Buxton. It’s a really small place so if you can see the Quiet Woman pub, you’re in the right where you need to be, as the walk starts just over the field behind. Follow directions for Earl Sterndale, Buxton, Derbyshire, Buxton SK17 0BU

4. The Great Ridge, Mam Tor

Mam Tor is one of the most iconic beauty spots in the Peak District, with the ‘classic’ shot being the Great Ridge’s gate and fence, with the sweeping landscape of Mam Tor and the famous path leading on.

The easiest place to park for shooting here is Mam Nick car park (post code: S33 8WA), as from there it’s just a short (but steep) walk straight up to the summit. The Great Ridge has amazing views of the Hope Valley, and depending on when you arrive, chance of catching the atmospheric morning mist. But if you’re really lucky, and get up with the birds, there’s a chance you’ll get to see a cloud inversion.

From Mam Tor it's possible to walk down into Cave Dale (another fantastic place to photograph) and onto Castleton, another great place for Peak District photography.

6. Ladybower Reservoir

Ladybower Reservoir is another location that you needn’t hike for hours to get great photos. Being one of the Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs, this part of the Peak District is one with loads of artistic potential for photographers. There’s Ladybower’s famous plughole, the reflection of the sunken viaduct on the still water, not to mention the masses of woodland surrounding the trio of reservoirs.

To take photos of any of the Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs or surrounding woodland, there’s a pay & display car park at Fairholmes Visitor Centre. From there you can either walk down to Ladybower (which you would have passed on your way to the visitor centre), or follow signs for Derwent Dam to get to Howden.

Fairholmes Car Park & Visitor Centre can be found using this address: Hope Valley, S33 0AQ.

8. Higger Tor

Higger Tor on the Longshaw Estate, although beautiful to photograph all year round is especially magical in late summer, when the Heather’s in bloom. Higger Tor itself is a gritstone outcrop, one that’s easily recognisable and adds great depth to photographs, combine that with a few discarded Millstones across the landscape and you’ve got a classic Peak District shot!

A good car park for Higger Tor is Surprise View (S32 1DA), which allows you to photograph the interesting landscape leading up to it as well as the main event!

Higger Tor is also accessible from the Longshaw Estate Car Park (S17 3BJ), which will take you via the very pretty Padley Gorge. There’s trees and a stream, making it the perfect place for an Autumn shoot – it’s also more of a family-friendly place to start!