Photography
The Most Photogenic Landscapes in the UK.
The UK is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, from misty mountain peaks to serene coastlines.
Every day, amateur and professional photographers alike share snapshots of these stunning locations on Reddit. We took a closer look at the Landscape Photography subreddit, a thriving community of photographers and creators capturing beautiful landscapes around the world.
We wanted to uncover the UK landscapes considered most popular amongst landscape photographers and rank them all. To do this, we analysed hundreds of posts from the subreddit!
We filtered posts that mentioned scenic UK locations, then ranked the most photogenic landscapes based on the frequency of mentions, upvotes, and user engagement.
Here are the most photogenic UK locations in order of popularity.
The most photogenic landscapes in England.
England’s landscapes are a photographer’s dream, offering everything from rolling countryside and dramatic moorlands to picturesque coastlines. It’s no surprise that certain regions stand out as favourites among photographers.
Here are the top picks:
- Devon – Topping the list for England, Devon was the most photographed location in the past year, with 34 images collectively receiving 1,850 upvotes. Dartmoor proved particularly popular, featuring in half of all posts showcasing Devon’s beauty.
- The Lake District – Coming in second was the Lake District. Every post that mentioned Cumbria also mentioned standout spots within the Lakes, including Skiddaw Mountain, Wasdale Valley, and Jerry Force Waterfall. In total, the Lake District received 1,564 upvotes from photographers within the past year.
- East Sussex – This was another favourite with a strong focus on Brighton, with other images highlighting the South Downs and the iconic Seven Sisters. Photos from this region amassed 1,102 upvotes.
The most photogenic landscapes in Scotland.
Scotland’s wild and untamed beauty has long been a magnet for photographers. From the rugged mountain peaks to serene lochs, Scotland’s landscapes are as varied as they are awe-inspiring.
Here are the highlights:
- The Scottish Highlands – Unsurprisingly, the Highlands emerged as the most popular location for landscape photographers in the UK, with related posts collectively receiving 15,814 upvotes. Key highlights include:
- Glencoe, praised for its dramatic mountain scenery, received 2,512 upvotes.
- The Isle of Skye, admired for its rugged coastline and iconic landscapes, received 2,156 upvotes.
- The Trossachs – Often referred to as the “Gateway to the Highlands,” the Trossachs was the second most popular location. Despite only one featured post in the subreddit, the photo received 817 upvotes alone, showcasing its undeniable charm.
- Edinburgh - The capital city and nearby locations such as Allermuir Hill also captured photographers’ attention, with a handful of photos earning 630 upvotes within the subreddit.
The most photogenic landscapes in Wales.
With serene coastlines, valleys and mountains, Wales is a treasure trove for landscape photographers and offers a diverse array of stunning backdrops.
Here are the regions that stood out:
- Gwynedd - Dominating the Welsh photography scene, Gwynedd is home to Snowdonia National Park, a haven for photographers seeking dramatic vistas. A staggering 93% of posts mentioned Snowdonia or Snowdon (also known as Eryri and Yr Wyddfa in Cymraeg).
- Anglesey - Known for its rugged coastal beauty, Anglesey is a gem for photographers. With its sweeping beaches, ancient castles, and iconic lighthouses, this island offers a mix of natural and historical charm. Two posts from Anglesey received 98 upvotes, showcasing its appeal.
- Powys - Despite only one photo being shared from the Powys region, it proved popular amongst the community, earning 66 upvotes. Powys is home to the Brecon Beacons National Park, with rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, and dark sky reserves.
The most photogenic landscapes in Northern Ireland.
While the scenic spots of Northern Ireland narrowly missed the UK’s top ten list, Northern Irish landscapes still pack a punch, offering a mix of rugged coastlines and rolling hills – a true hidden gem for landscape photographers.
Here are the areas that stood out the most:
- County Down – The most popular location in Northern Ireland, County Down is a photographer’s dream. Despite being mentioned in only five posts, these five collectively received 320 upvotes, a testament to its undeniable beauty. The Mourne Mountains, with their granite peaks and sweeping valleys, were the favourite amongst photographers, along with the coastal town of Donaghadee.
- Belfast – Northern Ireland’s capital city came in second. Belfast’s blend of urban and natural beauty makes it a versatile location for photographers. The city’s peaceful coastline features prominently in a variety of posts. The Belfast Hills provide stunning panoramic views of the city and beyond, while the Cave Hill Country Park offers a mix of rugged trails and lush greenery.
- County Derry – Rounding out the top three, County Derry’s scenic beauty captured the attention of photographers. Binevenagh Mountain and its dramatic cliffs offer sweeping views over Lough Foyle and the surrounding countryside.
The most photogenic hidden gems of the UK.
Not every landscape in the UK gets the recognition it deserves. To highlight the country’s lesser known but stunning locations, we created a Hidden Gem Score, a metric that analyses user engagement per photo. This approach considers locations not frequently referenced within the Landscape Photography subreddit, but where mentioned, sparked high levels of engagement.
By prioritising locations with fewer photographer visits but increased levels of engagement, we’ve identified some of the UK’s best-kept secrets for landscape photographers to consider exploring.
Here are some of the UK’s most stunning hidden gems waiting to be explored:
Advice for taking amazing landscape photographs.
While certain spots are favourites among photographers, there may be more hidden gems across the UK waiting to be discovered! With a keen eye and the right equipment, you can capture stunning landscapes that stand out.
Here are some tips for stellar results when it comes to landscape photography:
- Focus on composition: Choose a clear focal point, use leading lines, and add foreground layers to create depth and balance.
- Be mindful of your light source: Sunrise and sunset offer the best light for dramatic, colourful landscapes.
- Use a wide-angle lens: A 35mm lens (or lower) helps capture expansive scenes and adds depth to your photos.
- Explore unique perspectives: Move around to find fresh angles and less-travelled locations for standout shots.
- Be patient and prepared: Plan for the weather and lighting conditions and take time to review and refine your shots.
For more tips and advice from professional photographers, be sure to visit our Landscape Photography guide for beginners.
Our reporting methodology and sources.
We looked at hundreds of stunning photographs on the Landscape Photography subreddit.
We then analysed 300 posts containing location tags or descriptions related to the UK within the past year.
We scored and ranked the locations from 0 to 100 based on:
- The frequency of location mentions
- Related upvotes and user engagement within the Reddit community
- Community discussions around UK locations
This enabled us to identify and quantify those areas across the UK most loved by landscape photographers.
We hope you enjoyed our report - feel free to share it with other photography fans!