Autumn Photography in London and the Cotswolds
I have always liked to travel during the “off peak” seasons such as Spring and Autumn. I specially like Autumn for the pallets of colours on display against a usually grey sky with a nice nip in the air. Perfect weather for long walks and photography and the drink at the end of the day (or during) tastes that much better. And for a trip to London and the Cotswolds it makes all the more sense. One can avoid the crowds and long queues at venues. Flights and Room rates tend to be cheaper than during the summer. So there’s a lot going for travel in Autumn and here’s some information on traveling to London and the Cotswolds during Autumn.
I have always liked to travel during the “off peak” seasons such as Spring and Autumn. I specially like Autumn for the pallets of colours on display against a usually grey sky with a nice nip in the air. Perfect weather for long walks and photography and the drink at the end of the day (or during) tastes that much better. And for a trip to London and the Cotswolds it makes all the more sense. One can avoid the crowds and long queues at venues. Flights and Room rates tend to be cheaper than during the summer. So there’s a lot going for travel in Autumn and here’s some information on traveling to London and the Cotswolds during Autumn.
London Taxi
London
Getting There
London has 3 International Airports namely Heathrow , Gatwick and London City Airport. Heathrow is the biggest Airport and the busiest and with the most international Connections. Gatwick is now becoming a good choice due to congestion at Heathrow. London City Airport has connections from EU. So if you are traveling from Asian cities chances are you will be flying into Heathrow or Gatwick.
London Time Zone
London is on GMT so ie IST - 4 hours and 30 mins and Singapore time - 7 hours
UK Currency
The currency of the UK is the Pound Sterling. As of this writing the exchange rates are as below
1 Pound = 1.236 USD = 88.61 INR = 1.70 SGD
Where to Stay in London
London is as an expensive city. Hotel Rooms are no exception. But one is spoilt for choice and it seems there is almost no limits as to how much one can spend for a nights accommodation here.
Ultra Luxury Option
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
In the heart of Westminster, close to Buckingham Palace, these 5 AA Red Star luxurious suites are served by 3 acclaimed restaurants and the award-winning Spa at 51.
51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences combine privacy with 5-star luxury. Many overlook the courtyard gardens. Guests can also benefit from concierge services.
The Michelin starred Quilon Restaurant serves South-West coastal Indian cuisine, while Bistro 51 serves a range of international dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. The Library serves an organic breakfast daily.
Kona offers an innovative interpretation of the colours, flavours and vibrancy of Southern European cuisine. The freshest and finest ingredients and predominantly sustainable organic produce is served in an elegant environment.
Victoria station is a 10-minute walk away and Buckingham Palace is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Westminster Borough is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, parks and city walks.
Luxury Options
In the heart of London, Hilton London Tower Bridge has a striking modernexterior and is located just a 5-minute walk from Tower Bridge and opposite The Shard. There is free WiFi in public areas of the building, as well as the Executive Lounge. There are 2 public car parks within a 4-minute stroll from the property.
London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf
In the vibrant Canary Wharf area, this 5-star landmark hotel has luxury rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness suite. There is easy access to LondonCity Airport and the O2 Arena.
Many of the rooms also look out over Canary Wharf and the skyline of London’s business district.
Mid Range Options
Hilton London Kensington Hotel
Park Plaza London, Park Royal
Budget Options
TCLA - Clapham / Battersea
ibis London Shepherds Bush - Hammersmith
Photo Ops in London
Royalty Driving through Hyde Park, London
Autumns Scene at Hyde Park, London
The Cotswolds
For those of you who are not familiar, the Cotswolds is a quintessentially English Region spread out over eight hundred square miles and over five counties. The counties being Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. This region has the quaintest villages lined with cottages of honey coloured stone. The region is home to some of the best palaces, castles and country homes. The scenery is inspiring and well preserved through an assortment of nature reserves and Arboretas.
Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cheltenham, and Witney are some of the more vibrant towns.
Getting There
Cotswolds Villages
North Cotswolds
Whilst the rightly famous and popular towns of the north Cotswolds such as Cheltenham, Broadway, Bourton on the Water or Burford feature in every guidebook, head off the beaten track and you can unearth hidden gems such as Bourton on the Hill or Naunton. Each of the better known market towns such as Chipping Campden, Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold has a cluster of villages around it and these are decidedly Cotswold in character and well worth investigating.
Winchcombe is an unspoilt market town set on the Cotswold edge. It’s known as being a centre for walkers and is a great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the rural Cotswolds. A stay in the north Cotswolds brings Stratford upon Avon and Oxford into perfect range for day visits.
South Cotswolds
The south Cotswolds refers to the area around Cirencester and the Stroud Valleys – continuing down to north Wiltshire and towns such as Tetbury and Malmesbury. Bristol and Bath (famous for its Roman baths and also Home of William Shakespeare) are short drive from here.
The Cotswold Water Park dominates the south of the Cotswolds and is an incredible place for leisure offering sports, walks and a beach based around 150 lakes in 40 square miles. Despite its size, it is a well-kept secret just a few miles from Cirencester.
There are ‘Five Valleys’ here which meet at the town of Stroud; linked by the lofty heights of Rodborough, Minchinhampton and Selsley Commons. Many artists and craftspeople live in these peaceful, hidden valleys. The surrounding pretty towns of Nailsworth, Painswick, Fairford and Tetbury are all lovely Cotswold market towns.
I have been to the Cotswolds numerous times for varying lengths of times but have always come back wanting more.
Where to Stay in the Cotswolds
There are a number of villages and types of accommodation to choose from ranging from luxury manors converted into hotels to modest holiday homes, bed and breakfasts and run of the mill hotels.
The Best Accommodations in the Cotswolds tend to get booked early so do make your bookings as early as you can. I suggest bookings be done at least a couple of months ahead of your travel dates. These are some good options to consider.
Luxury
The Slaughters Manor House , Lower Slaughter
Situated in the pretty Cotswolds village of Lower Slaughter, this 17th-century manor house offers free internet and free parking on site. It retains original period features and has a sophisticated, award-winning restaurant.
The beautifully furnished and individually designed rooms at The Slaughters Manor House have a flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Some rooms have a four-poster bed or a luxurious freestanding bath.
Sixteen58 restaurant has elegant modern décor and serves creative dishes made from high-quality local produce. Breakfast is provided each morning, and special dietary requirements can be catered for.
You can relax in the chic surroundings of the Manor, with its fine antique decorations and roaring fires. Local leisure pursuits include golf and horse riding, and the centre of Cheltenham can be reached in 30 minutes’ drive.
Mid Range Inn
The Keepers Arms is located in the village of Quenington, 15 minutes’ drive from Cirencester. This charming, family-run inn features an award-winning pub and modern rooms.
The pub serves real ales and home-cooked, traditional cuisine. You can enjoy a drink out on the terrace.
The inn offers easy access to the pretty Cotswolds countryside, which is ideal for hiking, cycling, fishing and horse riding.
Cheltenham, Oxford and Swindon are within an hour’s drive of the inn.
Aparthotel
Situated in Stroud in the Gloucestershire region, Five Valleys Aparthotel features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
Bath is 48 km from the apartment, while Cheltenham is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Gloucestershire Airport, 30 km from Five Valleys Aparthotel.
Photo Ops in the Cotswolds
Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre
Batsford, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire
The Cotswold Falconry Centre
Displaying the art of falconry
The Cotswolds Falconry Center provides opportunities to get up close to falcons and other predatory birds such as the American Bald Eagle and the Grey Eagle
Towers and Manors
Broadway Tower, Worcestershire
Cotswolds Villages
What was in my Camera Bag
Camera Bodies : Canon 5D Mark iii, , Canon 5DS -R
Lenses : Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L IS, Canon 17-40mm L, Canon 24mm TSE , Canon 2x Converter
Accessories : Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, Arca Swiss B1 Ballhead, Remote release, MacBook Pro 13 in, Lacie Rugged Hard Drive, San Disk and Lexar CF and SD cards.
Summary
I have been to the Cotswolds numerous times for varying lengths of times but have always come back wanting more. It is one of the most photogenic locations in the UK and possibly the world. There are plenty of activities for the entire family as well. If you do visit the Cotswolds let me know how your trip went in the comments section below.
Some More Images from the Cotswolds.
More Photography Destinations for you..
Scenic Fall Drives of New England, USA- Part 1
Fall in New England was and is probably one of the biggest inspirations for my Nature and travel Photography. .Having had the opportunity to live in that beautiful region with its 4 full seasons and witnessed the progress of fall colours on the trees in my twenties, I have been drawn back to this wonderful gem of nature to explore and photograph as my photographic ability and my equipment has gotten better over the years. I feel there is always something more I could do to capture the magnificent fall colours.
Typical Mid Fall Scene, new England
Fall in New England was and is probably one of the biggest inspirations for my Nature and travel Photography. .Having had the opportunity to live in that beautiful region with its 4 full seasons and witnessed the progress of fall colours on the trees in my twenties, I have been drawn back to this wonderful gem of nature to explore and photograph as my photographic ability and my equipment has gotten better over the years. I feel there is always something more I could do to capture the magnificent fall colours in even more vivid detail..
Multiple Exposure image of Pumpkins Ready for Harvesting during Halloween Season
For those who are not familiar, New England is a region composed of six states in the northeastern United States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
Fall colour reflections and Goose at Boston Commons
The physical geography of New England is diverse for such a small area. Southeastern New England is covered by a narrow coastal plain, while the western and northern regions are dominated by the rolling hills and worn-down peaks of the northern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The Atlantic fall line lies close to the coast, which enabled numerous cities to take advantage of water power along the many rivers, such as the Connecticut River, which bisects the region from north to south.
The entire region and even the surrounding regions in the USA and Canada have opportunities for “Leaf Peeping” as fall colour viewing is popularly called by New Englanders.
But it is widely accepted that the most popular scenic drives are the following
The Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts
The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
The Acadia Loop Road
And some other alternative drives are Route 58 from Lake Willoughby to Hazen’s Notch, Evans Notch (Route 113), The Camden Hills Loop, Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway (Route 20) Loops.
In this part 1 of the series of posts I will focus on The Mohawk Trail.
How to Get There
Boston, Massachusetts is the largest and most well connected city in the New England Region. Boston Logan Airport is well connected by Major International Airlines.
Alternately you could fly to New York or New Jersey and take the AMTRAK into.Boston South Station.
Getting Around
The best way to travel around in New England to view and photograph the fall colours is to drive.
Where to Stay
The Kancamagus Highway and the Mohawk Trail can be driven as day trips from Boston but for a truly immersive and thorough experience I suggest staying in one of the several bed and breakfast options along the highway and trail. I will include some links to stay in the region below.
New England Time
The Mohawk Trail
Directions From Boston:
Western route to the middle of The Mohawk Trail
From Boston via Springfield, Massachusetts I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) to I-91 North, I-91 North to Exit 26 in Greenfield, Massachusetts and Route 2 (The Mohawk Trail) East or West.
Western route to the western section of The Mohawk Trail
I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Exit 2, North on US 20/7 to Route 2, The Mohawk Trail
Northern route to the eastern section of The Mohawk Trail
From Boston. I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Exit 11A I-495 North, I-495 North to Exit 40, Route 2 (The Mohawk Trail) West.
Standout Places along the Mohawk Trail
Shelburne Falls - Glacial Potholes and The Bridge of Flowers
Shelburne Falls, Bridge of Flowers
Once a prime Salmon fishing spot for native Americans, the village gradually emerged more than a century ago as a manufacturing community. The village experienced a resurgence during the 80s and 90s, and unlike many similar communities, evolved and continues to be a vital downtown with a growing reputation as an arts community.
The village resisted the "urban renewal" trend of the 1950s and 1960s, which has left our generation with an historic, turn-of-the-century setting for a unique mix of locally owned businesses.
It's a village where you can buy either a head of iceberg lettuce or a hand-blown glass vase!
Shelburne Falls is home to the famous Bridge of Flowers, which attracts more than thirty five thousand visitors a year, as well as the Glacial Potholes, a curiously beautiful rock formation. The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum celebrates the village's transportation heritage.
Most everything in the village is within walking distance, so if you're planning to spend some time in the village,and we hope you do, we encourage you to park in one of the free public parking lots off Bridge Street.
Along the Mohawk Trail
Williamstown and Williams College
Williams College, Williamstown
Williamstown is a lovely historic town that's well worth a visit. There are quite a few tasteful 18th, 19th and early 20th century buildings, on and off campus.The best way to explore Williamstown is on foot. It is a true college town, having hosted Williams College since 1793.
Fallen Maple Leaves
Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, the college is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics. The undergraduate enrolment is approximately 2,000 students.
Thompson Memorial Chapel at Williams College
The Berkshires
The Berkshires
A popular vacation destination, it's known for outdoor activities, fall foliage–viewing, a farm-to-table food scene and thriving arts institutions. Renowned annual festivals include the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s residency at Lenox’s Tanglewood Music Center.
Check out the link below for suggested Berkshires Driving Tours
Stream Along the Mohawk Trail
Pelham and Amherst
Pelham is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,321 at the 2010 census. Its ZIP Code is shared with Amherst.
Although not actually on the Mohawk Trail this is a worthwhile deviation as the road to Pelham and Amherst are also brimming with fall photo ops.
Near Pelham, Along the Mohawk Trail
The Town of Amherst, located in the lovely Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational and cultural opportunities. Host to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a quaint college town.
Old Barn along the Mohawk Trails
Maple leaves an tree
Farm along the Mohawk Trail
Maple Leaf and Mushrooms
Along the Mohawk Trail
Fall Colours at Picnic Area
Fall colours Peaking
