Autumn in West Cornwall
A Drama of Sky and Sea
Thursday 7th - Sunday 10th October 2021
4 days €800
The Duchy of Cornwall, a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean in the far south west of Britain, is the setting for the TV blockbuster series, Poldark. With its rugged cliffs, golden sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages, Cornwall has some of the best coastline in Europe, and the superb quality of the light here attracted many top artists in the early-twentieth century, giving rise to the famous St Ives School. The Penwith area contains more ancient monuments and sites than any other place in Britain.
This is one of the longest consecutively settled landscapes in the world, where Neolithic megaliths, Bronze Age field systems, Iron Age hill forts and Celtic holy wells are sited cheek by jowl with medieval farmsteads and abandoned tin and copper mines. Cornwall was at the very vanguard of the British Industrial Revolution, producing the majority of its tin and copper, and its iconic engine houses and other industrial buildings now form part of the UNESCO Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
Autumn is a season that brings turbulent seas as dynamic Atlantic storm systems sweep across Britain. The exquisite light for which Cornwall is renowned amplifies the rich russet and golden tones of clifftop moor and heath, and adds intense drama to ever-changing skies. We have timed our visit to coincide with a new moon that will guarantee higher and lower tides, and dark skies for astrophotography, weather permitting.
Sharron is Cornish born and bred, has an intimate knowledge of the landscape and its history, and will guide us to the best photography locations. Our precise itinerary will be fluid and based on prevailing weather conditions, but we will take in prime locations, some of which have featured in Poldark, such as the Enys Dodnan sea arch at Land’s End; Crowns Engine Houses, Botallack Mine; Lanyon and/or Chûn Quoit near Morvah; Holywell Bay near Newquay; St Michael’s Mount, Marazion; Godrevy Lighthouse, Gwithian; and Towanroath engine house at Wheal Coates near St Agnes.
The tour will include some cliff walking, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended.
The tour is limited to a maximum of four participants to allow for freedom of movement and sufficient space per client at each location. Spouses/partners are welcome to join this tour at the same rate as photographers.
Accommodation
We will be staying in a fully equipped self-catering property.
What’s included?
- 3 nights accommodation
- Transportation for the duration of the tour
- Tuition throughout
What’s not included?
- All flights to and from Newquay
- All food and drinks
- Travel and equipment insurance
What level of photography is required?
Whether you are a beginner looking to improve your photography skills, or an advanced photographer wanting to be taken to prime locations, our tours are open to all. Our only criteria is that you have a great passion for landscape photography, don't mind braving the elements, and have the energy and motivation to 'be on the go' every day and night!
What camera equipment do I need to bring?
- DSLR camera with full manual mode
- Sturdy tripod
- A wide angle lens
- A neutral density filter
- A polarising filter
- Hard and soft graduated filters
- Laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop installed (optional but recommended)
- If interested in astrophotography, a fast (f2.8 or better) wide angle lens (ideally 12mm to 20mm range)
What clothing/footwear do I need to bring?
Cornwall enjoys a mild climate year round due to the Gulf Stream. In October there are around 12 hours of daylight, but it is often an unsettled month during which low pressure storm systems sweep in off the Atlantic bringing rain, high winds and stormy seas. But some days are unseasonably warm and sunny. You must be well-equipped for various weather conditions, so we recommend you bring the following:
- Sturdy walking boots
- Wellies or waders for beach photography
- Umbrella
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Gloves and hat
Book this tour
The cost is €800 euro per person. A non-refundable deposit of €250 euro is required to secure your place. Stage payments of balance by arrangement.
Cornwall is served by Newquay Airport with direct flights from Dublin and Cork with Aer Lingus, and from Belfast City and many other UK airports with Flybe. Ryanair and Eurowings fly from several European destinations. Cornwall is served by The Great Western Railway with daily departures from London Paddington. Participants from Cornwall and/or other parts of the UK can rendezvous at Newquay Airport or at our accommodation.
In the event of the tour being cancelled, we will refund deposits in full. However, we will not be liable for any flight costs incurred by you.
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