Capturing the seasons in England!
Photo by: Olga in London
So far, during our month-long focus on England, we’ve visited Oxford and London. But did you know that Shoot My Travel currently has over 30 photographers throughout England ready to capture your autumn, holiday, family, and solo memories?!
It’s true! And as November winds down and we start to look ahead to winter, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit a few more of the cities and areas where our photographers reside so you can get an idea of all the amazing experiences and backdrops awaiting you in this country.
Bournemouth and the warm southwest
Bournemouth is a resort town on the southern coast of England, perfect for anyone whose autumn and winter daydreams include rambles along the seaside. There are seven miles of beaches to explore, as well as the magic of the ancient, nearby woods called New Forest. You can zip from pier to shore on the RockReef PierZip, open year-round, and feel the festivity of the season at the annual Christmas Tree Wonderland. Bournemouth is also a wonderful launching point for discovering nearby cities and towns like Portsmouth and Poole, the Isle of Wight, and the sunny southwest counties of Devon and Cornwall, known for ocean views and cream teas!
High Wycombe and an area of outstanding natural beauty
Almost equidistant between London and Oxford, and nestled along with the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the English equivalent of our National Parks), you’ll find the historic market town of High Wycombe. Here you can settle in for a true country winter and holiday, exploring Hughenden Manor and West Wycombe Park, picking out locally made furniture to ship home for that extra special gift, and taking the kids to Santa’s Grotto at the annual Christmas Market. High Wycombe, is perfect for a dash into the holiday hustle & bustle of London or to use as a home base to explore the picturesque towns of the Cotswolds, returning to your own perfect English, a local pub in the evening.
Photo by: Ewa in London
York, Leeds, and Lincoln
Here we have three headliners, all found within an hour and half of each other by car in the north by northeast regions of England. Each offers a quintessentially English experience and is renowned for the friendliness of Yorkshire and the Midlands. In the ancient Roman city of York, you can see its medieval wall, Gothic Cathedral, and visit the Yorkshire Dales. Leeds has armories, manor houses, Victorian buildings and is a gateway to the beautiful North York Moors National Park. And Lincoln, the furthest south and east is towered over by its grand Cathedral while just 25 miles from both the sea and the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pick one city or experience them all for history, nature, and each one’s own Christmas Market and holiday festivities as the snow begins to fall over the English countryside!
Liverpool & Manchester
Here are two more headliners but in the Northwest. Most people know Liverpool as the birthplace of The Beatles at the famous Cavern Club, but it’s also home to Europe’s oldest Chinese community, England’s industrial revolution, and rich maritime history. At Christmas time the city puts the sparkles on its old docks and gives its Christmas Market a beautiful setting in front of St. George’s Hall. Manchester lies further inland than Liverpool but is just as rich in history, especially that of the industrial revolution, and serves just as much mulled wine at its own popular Christmas Markets, found throughout the city! Like Liverpool, Manchester boasts beautiful historical buildings and churches, as well as modern structures housing museums. And from here it’s less than an hour’s drive to the dramatic nature of Peak District National Park.
Nottingham and the land of Robin Hood
Robin Hood has become a household name, so why not visit the home of the legend? Nottingham is found in the center of England and in the center of the region known as the Midlands. While it is the birthplace of the legend of Robin Hood, it is also known for Nottingham Castle, its lace-making history, and perhaps the oldest public house in England which has the wonderful name of, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem! This time of year the Old Market Square is transformed into a literal Winter Wonderland. The beautiful Elizabethan Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is also transformed at twilight by the illumination of lights and accompaniment of music to immerse visitors in the holiday spirit!
Bristol and surrounding wonders
Finally, we reach Bristol in the southwest of England, located on the famous River Avon. Like its sister cities in the north of the country, it is a port with a rich industrial heritage. Here you can soak up the maritime history and Victorian buildings. And this time of year, Christmas takes over, bringing multiple markets throughout the city, an Illuminated Trail through the Arboretum, a spectacle of lights on historic edifices, a chance to meet Santa arriving by train, and perhaps even a dusting of snow on iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. From Bristol, you can travel north to the Cotswolds, east to Bath, or south to Somerset. And just on the other side of the Severn River, beyond the city, lies Wales!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this November tour around England. If you haven’t visited yet, we also hope you’ll book one of our amazing England photographers found in these many magical destinations, and experience the seasons and the sights of England in person!
Right now, when you choose to make memories in England (or anywhere!) you can save $50 on photoshoots with the code BESTMEMORIES and $25 on extra photos with the code EXTRAS.