5 Dartmoor Locations for Autumn Landscape Photography

Nestled along the Dart Valley and across the sweeping high tors, autumn transforms Dartmoor National Park into a dramatic tapestry of russet bracken, golden beech canopies, and thick, low-lying river mist. Between late October and mid-November, the region offers some of the most compelling outdoor conditions for landscape photographers in the UK.

Whether you are aiming to capture atmospheric long exposures along rushing waters or hunting sunrise inversion layers above the tree line, here are five essential Dartmoor locations to add to your lens list this season.

1. Fingle Bridge & Teign Gorge

The ancient stone arch of Fingle Bridge sits at the foot of a steep oak-and-beech woodland valley near Drewsteignton. During peak autumn, the canopy lining the banks of the River Teign glows vivid amber and gold, making it an ideal spot for detailed woodland composition.

• Best Light: Early morning diffused light or soft, overcast mist.

• Pro Tip: Use a circular polariser to strip reflective glare off wet river boulders and boost the natural saturation of wet, fallen leaves.

2. Hembury Woods (South Dartmoor)

Managed by the National Trust along the banks of the River Dart near Buckfastleigh, Hembury offers ancient oak and beech woodland carpeted with moss-draped granite boulders.

• Best Light: Mid-morning "god rays" breaking through cooling autumn dew.

• Pro Tip: Bring a telephoto lens (such as a 70–200mm) to isolate repeating tree trunks and compress the dense layer of golden canopy above.

3. Sticklepath & Finch Foundry River Walks

Set on the northern edge of Dartmoor along the River Taw, Sticklepath features vibrant woodland paths framing historical industrial stone structures and rushing river cascades wrapped in autumn colour.

• Best Light: Overcast mornings or late afternoon, when the tree canopy diffuses bright sky highlights.

• Pro Tip: Set your shutter speed between 1/2 and 2 seconds using an ND filter to smooth out white water rushing past mossy riverbanks while keeping the autumn leaves sharp.

4. Wistman’s Wood

For moody, atmospheric storytelling, this ancient high-altitude oak woodland near Two Bridges features gnarled, stunted trees covered in thick moss and lichen amidst a labyrinth of granite clitter.

• Best Light: Flat, foggy autumn days. Bright sunlight creates harsh shadows and distracting high-contrast reflections across the moss.

• Pro Tip: Keep your tripod low to the ground to emphasise the dramatic twisting angles of the ancient roots.

5. Yar Tor

Rising high above the Dart Valley near Dartmeet, Yar Tor offers panoramic vistas across rolling valleys carpeted in deep bronze and orange bracken during late autumn. Its striking rock outcrops provide strong foreground elements against sweeping horizon lines.

• Best Light: Golden hour at sunset, when low-angled light accentuates the texture of the granite and catches the glowing bracken fields below.

• Pro Tip: Use a medium telephoto lens to compress the layers of rolling hills and capture the winding River Dart cutting through the distant valley floor.

Master Your Camera in the WildReady to step away from automatic settings and intuitively master manual exposure, polarising filters, and composition in unpredictable weather? We offer private 1-on-1 Outdoor Photography Masterclasses tailored directly to your skill level on Dartmoor and the South Devon Coast.

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