How to get to - Roughting Linn, Northumberland

Following publication of our " Roughting Linn II " image we've had many requests asking "How do I get to Roughting Linn".

Google Maps seems to show the wrong location, some 5 miles off, so we've put together this short post to get you there. It's somewhat hard to describe once you leave the B roads but here we go ....

(as always there are many alternate routes)

Roughting Linn - How to get there ...

1. Head into Northumberland and get onto the B6525 Northbound at Doddington, after approx 10-12 Kilometres you'll come to a crossroads with a white house on the right, turn left. Go to (3)


2. Alternatively get on to the A1 North and exit onto the B6353 for Fenwick, proceed through Fenwick and Lowick, when you pass the entrance to the Barmoor Castle Country Park, stay on the road and will change to the B6525. I around 400m pass a farm on the right, a further 400m should bring you to a crossroads with a white house on the left, turn right.


3. You REALLY need to refer to the Google map below here.


4. Proceed down this road until you pass a large wood on the right, then it is present on both sides. When the wood on the left disappears you will be at a crossroads (in the centre of the Google map below), turn left and there is space here to park several cars on the verge.


5. Walk back to the crossroads, cross to the other side and proceed down the track for around 50 metres where you should find a small track heading off to the left, if you can hear the waterfall you've gone too far.


6. Follow this track down into the gulley and round to the right, like a horseshoe, and you should come to the burn.


7. Follow the burn to the waterfall.


8. Bingo

** As always, be careful as it is a track and not a footpath, the rocks can be slippery and if it's been raining a lot then the falls could be in full spate.

N.B. While you're there you can take a look at the Neolithic rock art. Back up to the track, cross over and look for the flat rocky area.

Map ...

That was the way we did it.

Relevant Links

Roughting Linn Rock Art

It's Giveaway Time! Win a Print!

Having problems finding affordable, quality prints for your wall?

Here's a chance to win one of our mono prints for free!

We're running a competition on our Northumberland Facebook page ...

... Like our Northumberland Facebook page then enter for your chance to win one of our most successful prints!

To enter, go to our Northumberland Facebook page, click "Like" and tell us in the comments why you'd like to win this beautiful, exquisitely printed, 20x16" mono print of the Craster coastline, in Northumberland.

Good Luck! Keith :-)

P.S. Feel free to share the post on Facebook and spread the word.











** The contest runs from 30th October 2015 until 23:59 12th November 2015 and the winner will be notified with a reply post/comment within 48 hours of the competition close date/time.

Full competition Rules can be viewed here - Facebook Like/Comment Competition Rules

Rules/Disclaimer: This promotion is open to Facebook users in the United Kingdom.  Void where prohibited.  By "Liking" and/or "Commenting" you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation. **

Northumberland Landscapes - Roughting Linn

Roughting Linn waterfall on the Broomridgedean Burn, Northumberland

Roughting Linn

Travelling around in the countryside looking for viable Northumberland landscapes is an enjoyable pastime anyway but so much more so when you find a gem like Roughting Linn!!

This has got to be our best find to date and at times will leave you wondering whether your anywhere near it at all but persevere and you will be rewarded with a delightfull fairy-tale dell into which the Roughting Linn drops on the course of the Broomridgedean Burn.

Like kids in the sweet shop we explored every inch of this magical place, taking many shots, far more than we needed.

The water flow level was just enough to give us a nice effect but not too much to blanket everything in mist and prevent you getting closer. Blind luck!

Click.

There wasn't a coffee or cake shop here, sadly :-(

The Shot

The light levels were low enough in the dell to allow a slow enough exposure without filters, especially if you composed without the sky.

A quick behind-the-scenes shot, courtesy of Jill

More Info

While we were here another visitor appeared and asked us if we knew where the Neolithic rock art was. Funnily enough we did, it was on our route card for the visit, off he went. We checked it out later, 50 yards or so on the other side of the main path we descended from. They are definitely visible but there isn't much contrast between the art and the surrounding rock, may be better after rain.

Links

Go This Place - Roughting Linn

The Modern Antiquarian - Neolithic Rock Art

Getting There

Just on the crossroads there is a verge big enough for a few cars, park here, cross back to the other side and walk up the path towards the farm, if you are still on the main path by the time you hear the falls then you have gone too far. After 40 yards (ish) you will see a track heading down the hill on the left. Follow this track down the hill and around in a horseshoe until you enter the dell where the fall is. Be careful on the track, as of May 2015 a tree fall has destroyed part of the track and a little scrambling is required.

Northumberland Landscapes - Kielder Woodland I

[caption id="attachment_5691" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Woodland on the shoreline of Kielder Reservoir (I)[/caption]

 

Kielder

On the hunt for Northumberland landscapes again, we headed out to Kielder Water in the Northumberland National Park.

It's a huge landscape consisting of the Kielder reservoir and surrounding forest park.

We had little time here, as it was an hours drive to get there, so it was more of a scouting mission for a later visit but it went quite well anyway.

We started off with the cake and coffee, first this time, in the Tower Knowe Visitors Centre. I know, I know, it's usually last as a kind of reward but we like to mix it up (rock 'n' roll baby).

After food we headed down to the shoreline, time was passing quickly so we only had a short while to explore before heading back to the dam to try and get something there as well. The woodland along the shore is very photogenic and we soon came across the scene you see in the main image.

Sort of "Lord of the Rings" style.

Click.

 

More Info

Kielder also hosts the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and was awarded Gold Tier Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) in December 2013 – the highest accolade the IDA can give. If astro photography is your thing you really can't miss this place.

Also, at the heart of the Dark Dky Park is the Kielder Observatory, astronomy facilities at there best.

 

The Shot

Still had to stand in the water for this one but the shot itself wasn't too technical. Shot with a Canon FD 28mm on a Sony A7r.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Kielder Water

Kielder Water website

Visit Northumberland - Kielder Water

 

Getting there ...

Northumberland Landscapes - Warkworth Weir

[caption id="attachment_4680" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Warkworth Castle over the weir on the River Coquet, Northumberland[/caption]

 

Warkworth

We've been to Warkworth, looking for Northumberland landscapes, a good few times, it has an iconic castle that's a magnet for photographers.

This time, however, something was different. The tide was just right to show off the weir whilst revealing a small patch of barely submerged land below it. The cogs started turning!

Wellies were in the car boot so out they came and into the water we went. Now then, I wouldn't recommend this as it was very slippy and the tide was coming in fast, on your own head be it (seriously)!

Getting below the weir afforded a nice view of the castle and village up the River Coquet. We took the shot and got out before the water came over the top of the wellies.

Click.

Drained the tripod then off into Warkworth for a bite to eat.

 

The Shot

As you can see, the water was very fast moving so it took a little while to get the tripod settled and stable and a short-ish shutter speed prevented any movement caused by the tide buffeting the tripod legs.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Warkworth

Visit Northumberland - Warkworth

Warkworth Website

 

Getting there ...

There is a layby off the A1068 (Beal bank)

Northumberland Landscapes - Morpeth Viaduct

[caption id="attachment_4669" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Morpeth viaduct crossing the River Wansbeck in Northumberland[/caption]

 

The Viaduct

A recent spell without transport allowed us the chance to find Northumberland landscapes in the more local area of Morpeth.

Following the River Wansbeck right through Morpeth we found a crossing just before the mill on the Whorral Bank, crossed over and kept going.

To our delight, there was a huge viaduct hidden along the valley. I had heard of the viaduct but was unsure of its location and wasn't expecting to run into it today.

The sun was providing dappled light through the trees and the river was lazy so the refelections were looking particularly good beneath the viaduct.

Click.

One of the more hidden Northumberland landscapes.

The Shot

It was very calm that day and there was little wind to upset the surface of the water. The River was lazy and the clouds were not moving so a long exposure would have provided no obvious benefit.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Morpeth

Northumberland Cam - Morpeth Viaduct

 

Getting there ...

You can park in Morpeth and follow the river or there is a layby on the main road, under the NHS Health Centre as you leave Morpeth, just before you start to climb up the Whorral Bank.

Northumberland Landscapes - Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth

[caption id="attachment_4156" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth, Northumberland[/caption]

 

Northumberland Landscapes - Alnmouth

We recently visited St.Cuthberts Cross, Alnmouth to grab a shot across the Aln Estuary and the cross itself along with other Northumberland landscapes.

On our way back down from the top of Church Hill we took a different path to shelter from the wind and came across this ruin on the shore. It is the Mortuary Chapel built in 1869 as part of a plan to re-open the cemetery on Church Hill.

Atmospheric place!

 

The Shot

It was very windy and a storm was coming so, to minimise camera shake, a fast exposure was selected. A long exposure was out of the question as ghosting and camera shake would probably occur to an unacceptable degree.

That said, a remote shutter release and tripod were still used. Live view was enabled so mirror lock-up was not necessary (in case you don't know, when you use live view to compose the mirror is already locked up so you don't need to worry about that, useful for landscapes)

 

Links

Derelict Places - Mortuary Chapel

Wikipedia - Alnmouth

 

Getting there ...

Northumberland Landscapes - Gibside

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Gibside Sun[/caption]

Gibside

Took a photography trip with a good friend and fellow photographer to the National Trust property of Gibside in Rowlands Gill, North East UK. Not technically Northumberland Landscapes but landscapes galore there were.

It was rather cold and had been raining but we persevered, glad we did.

It's a fantastic place with ACRES of grounds to explore. As we found out when a fellow visitor suggested we hike to the farthest corner for a fantastic tree, which we could not find. It did allow us to see most of the grounds though.

The journey back down the hill brought us to the iconic avenue of trees leading up to the chapel.

It started raining so we sheltered under a tree, then the sun poked it's head out through the clouds above the chapel, serendipity! Camera out, quick!

Landscapes then coffee and cake in the cafe.

 

Landscapes

If you like landscapes, check out our previous Northumberland Landscapes post in Alnmouth.

 

Links

Wikipedia Information on Gibside

 

Getting there ...

Northumberland Landscapes - Alnmouth

Welcome to our Northumberland Landscapes series of blog entries.

As the first in the Northumberland Landscapes series, our latest photographic escapade took us to Alnmouth in Northumberland. It is a site we've long wanted to visit. Despite driving past and through it many times we've never really had the chance to stop and take some time.

[caption id="attachment_1271" align="aligncenter" width="950"] St. Cuthberts Cross[/caption]

I've seen many shots of St.Cuthberts Cross on the hilltop on the southern side of the harbour, looking back to the town across the mouth of the River Aln and the Aln Estuary, but always wanted to nab one for myself and for the Northumberland Landscapes print range.

[pullquote align=center]

St.Cuthberts Cross - Said to be the location where St Cuthbert agreed to become Bishop of Lindisfarne when petitioned by the King.

[/pullquote]

 

Getting there ...

A bit of Google research beforehand revealed a track down to the dunes, on the south side of the estuary, from the A1068, NOT the turning going to Waterside House Farm if you're going North then it is the one before that. Turning onto the track you are greeted with a pothole strewn, rocky track that you really can't drive along at more than 5-10mph (if you value your suspension) but many vehicles travel this track so don't worry, just be careful. A slow drive down this track, avoiding the potholes and rocks, will bring you down to the dunes, crossing St.Oswalds Way and passing a warning sign about the track becoming flooded in places at high tides. PLEASE, check the Northumberland tide tables before you get there!!!



We parked up alongside the dunes and set off on one of the public footpaths heading North, we could see the cross and Alnmouth so navigation wasn't an issue. After crossing the flood plain area we stepped up onto what must be an island at high tide and headed up the hill towards the cross.

Taking the shot ...

It was VERY windy at the top, long exposures would be impractical as the tripod and camera would receive such a buffeting from the wind as to affect the shot so fast exposures were the order of the day, remote shutter release, weighted down tripod and standing to block the wind from the kit.

Jill went off to explore the lower part, towards the estuary, while I set up to get the shot I was after. I took a wide shot, a narrower shot and a bracket set to be sure I could produce something when back home. Then I repeated that sequence again, just to be sure. Belt and braces.

After taking in the view for a while we headed on back down the hill by a different path and came across an old stone ruin and some stumps so rattled off a few more shots for good measure. A quote from the Facebook page of Northumberland AONB clears up the ruin ...

[pullquote align=center]

Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth:
This little Mortuary Chapel was built 1869-70 at a cost of £177.6s.3d. raised by public subscription, as part of a plan to re-open the cemetery on Church Hill (site of the ancient parish church of St. Waleric, the remains of which were destroyed by the 1806 flood). The roof of the chapel was deliberately removed by the National Trust in recent times to deter squatters and is now a grade II listed building.

[/pullquote]

Some may consider it to now be a cliche shot. I've made my case for cliche shots many times in the past but I'll reiterate again for new visitors, these landscapes are only a cliche to the people that have been there before and taken the shot, until then it remains a landscape shot that YOU have not captured. Don't let the views of others put you off, photography is a personal pursuit, capture the images YOU want to capture.

Other Useful Links ...

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnmouth

Visit Northumberland - http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/historic-sites/st-cuthbert-s-cross

Northumberland Landscapes - Lone Northumbrian Tree - Part II

The Landscapes

A recent post detailed our trials, tribulations and results when faced with shooting Northumberland landscapes containing a lone tree.

The result yielded three images worthy of printing and, obviously, a triptych was bound to happen ...

[caption id="attachment_912" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Lone Northumbrian Tree Triptych[/caption]

... imagine these beautiful landscapes, in a black frame, on a crisp white wall.

Links

Wikipedia information on Alnwick

Wikipedia information on Shilbottle

Alnwick Tourist Information

For more information check out Part I of the article

triptych, tree, trees, lone tree, northumberland, landscape, fine art

Northumberland Landscapes – Lone Northumbrian Tree

Lone Northumbrian Tree

Whilst driving back home, from a days shooting Northumberland landscapes with a fellow togger, we came across one of those situations where the light is so good you just HAVE to stop and take a photograph.

[caption id="attachment_907" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Lone Sunset Tree - Mono[/caption]

 

Landscapes

We were anxiously looking for a candidate before the light disappeared when we spotted a lone tree in the middle of a field on the other side of the dual carriageway.

 

Getting the Shot

A quick, but legal, U-turn got us alongside the field, then a mad dash across many flooded furrows and between many mountains of cow-poop got us to the tree just in time to setup and take the shot before the sum dipped into the clouds. Fortuitous timing.

Personally, I am torn between the landscapes, the mono version above or the colour version below? What do you think?

[caption id="attachment_908" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Lone Sunset Tree[/caption]

 

Getting there ...

... the light coloured field to the west of the A1

 

Links

Wikipedia information on Alnwick

Wikipedia information on Shilbottle

Alnwick Tourist Information

Check out Part II of this article for the resulting triptych!

sunset, tree, field, northumberland, crepuscular, rays, lone, landscape, england

Northumberland Landscapes - Day Mark

[caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Day Mark[/caption]

Landscapes

A recent trip for Northumberland landscapes took us to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, on the North East coast of Northumberland, England, brought us upon this curious monolith.

Set on the North East tip of the island at Emmanuel Point, it is a "Day Mark". Built of brick in 1810 and standing at 35 feet high, it provided a marker for maritime navigation.

Oh, and there's a very nice cafe for a full English breakfast!!

This print is available in our online shop.

The Shot

It was windy that day but I didn't want the grass to blur too much so a fast shutter speed was used. Many landscapes are available around the island, don't be happy just to hang around the castle but be sure you keep one eye on the time and the tide.

The image was later processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.

Links

Wikipedia information on Lindisfarne

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne Website

National Trust Information

View another post about Northumberland Landscapes - Lone Northumbrian Tree

Getting there ...

Firstly BE SURE TO CHECK THE TIDES!



lindisfarne, holy, island, emmanuel head, day mark, northumberland, england

Northumberland Seascapes - Stag Rock, Bamburgh

Seascapes

wilsøn photographics recently received a commission to produce a seascapes print of Stag Rock on the Bamburgh coastline in Northumberland.

[caption id="attachment_460" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Stag Rock[/caption]

A trip close to sunset produced a lovely coloured sky, always nice over the Northumberland seascapes, and sunlight highlighted rock faces that really brought the Stag artwork to life and showed it of fantastically.

The Shot

A little long exposure allowed for an interesting foreground formed by the North Sea tide in Harkess Gut.

All-in-all a productive trip resulting in a fantastic colour print for the client.

The final touch was the fantastic print service provided by our Fine Art Trade Guild approved printer, Paul Grundy of UKV

"Print has arrived thanks so much, looks even better in the 'flesh' "

"Really top quality print-work, shows off the photo brilliant"

Getting there ...

Print of the Day: “View to Coquet” by Keith Wilson | UKV Fine Art Prints

UPDATE: The collection no longer exists so, by all means, read on but the external links have been de-activated

One of our images was honoured with "Print of the Day" status in the UKV Photo Art Collection! Take a look at more prints here, or browse the whole collection here.

Print of the Day:

“View to Coquet by Keith Wilson”

Photo Art Collection – http://bit.ly/1uvVdEm

via Print of the Day: “View to Coquet” by Keith Wilson | UKV Fine Art Prints.

Bamburgh Photo Shoot, Northumberland

Fruitful afternoon spent on the beautiful Northumberland coast at Bamburgh.

Managed to get some excellent landscape/seascape shots over towards Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Islands.

Sea was particularly interesting with crashing waves and plenty of surf, not to mention the fantastic weather providing some unusual blue and pink horizons.

[caption id="attachment_125" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland[/caption]