Northumberland Photography Workshop – November Trip Report

Attendees: Lee, David, Margaret, Nigel, Steve, Emma and Joe.

This year’s Northumberland workshop began at St Mary’s Lighthouse for sunrise. Conditions were gentle, with just a hint of fiery colour, but the low tide revealed great foreground interest in the rocks, sand patterns and reflections and the soft morning light was ideal for settling everyone into the day. It's a location that always delivers and is a solid starting point on a trip to this part of the world. From there we headed straight to Blyth for breakfast at a small seafront café. Proper fuel before continuing north.

Our mid morning session was at Seaton Sluice. It was my first time shooting there, and it turned out to be a real highlight: rough around the edges, full of character, and perfect for photographers who enjoy working with texture, structure and subtle tones. It’s the sort of place where slowing down pays off, and the group did exactly that, spreading out around the estuary in a comfortable, focused silence that happens when people are fully absorbed.

We had Cambois on the list next, but sometimes a location simply doesn’t align with the day. Reading the conditions — and reading the mood — is an important part of any workshop, so we moved on without hesitation.

Amble was a complete contrast. Bright skies, busy pier, fishermen working, walkers passing through. Even without the hoped-for dolphins, the atmosphere was lively and warm. The sea air and relaxed conversation between the group and locals alike made it an enjoyable stop, and we came away with a mix of wildlife, long exposures and seascape photographs all from one spot on the pier.

After refreshments at The Coach Inn, we finished the day with the classic walk from Dunstan Steads towards Dunstanburgh Castle, one of the best walks you can do in the UK. Northumberland does simple beauty well, and the ruggedness of this place always sets my heart alight, it really is a special location that I love to return to. The sunset lacked the cloud needed for drama, but we were rewarded instead with a serene moonrise. Looking south from the rocks, with a quiet blue hour settling in, was a peaceful way to wrap up a long first day.

This trip was also our first stay at The Dunstanburgh Castle Inn. Having spent many years based at the fantastic Sunningdale in Bamburgh, it was a change — but a very positive one. Clair and her team, familiar from the Sunningdale days, have created something excellent here. The food was outstanding: most of the group ordered the Sunday roast, and despite being late in the day, it arrived fresh, balanced, and exactly what we needed after twelve hours out on the coast. The food really was exceptional. My tiramisu was huge and every bit as good as it looked.

We planned a later breakfast the next morning, with rain due to clear around 10am. The relaxed start suited everyone.

Day Two

Once the weather lifted, we made our way to Bamburgh to work the classic dune-top views. The marram grass provided strong foreground movement, perfect for experimenting with shutter speed. The castle stood steady against a shifting sky, and the beach gave everyone room to explore their own variations on the scene.

From there we took a short break in Seahouses at The Bamburgh Castle Inn before continuing to Beadnell. The skies were darkening around us, distant rain sweeping across the horizon, with the silhouette of Dunstanburgh Castle sitting quietly in the background. Rough seas, stacked lobster pots, glimmers of delayed afternoon light — it was a location full of opportunity. Even as the drizzle began, the group were making thoughtful images, reading the light and making the most of the fleeting conditions. It can be tough to shoot against drizzle and rough seas, trying to keep the spray from the lens is a challenge in itself. 

Craster was next. The weather had truly arrived by this point, giving us low contrast and soft rain — ideal for monochrome work. Smoke from the kipper house chimneys drifted through the village streets, merging with the thick low cloud. By now we were starting to feel it — a long day on the Northumberland coast in persistent, inclement weather can take its toll, and the tiredness was beginning to show.

We returned to the hotel for another excellent meal and a well-earned rest. Good food, good conversation, and the warmth of the hotel bar! We'd planned to head out for some night sky photography but the cloud, thick and vast, would not be clearing for at least 12 hours.  

Final Morning – Howick Bath House

Our last session took us to the rocky coastline near Howick Bath House. The sky hinted at a sunrise forming behind the cloud, but it never quite pushed through. Instead, we had patches of strong light — perfect for working with the tidal pools, fractured rock, and subtle colour that place is known for. It was a calm, reflective end to the photographic part of the trip.

Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a final breakfast (I tried the famous Craster Kippers) before planning to move inland to Alnmouth. The weather, however, turned quickly. Heavy, persistent rain set in, and with the group already satisfied and memory cards full, we agreed it was the right moment to wrap things up. A positive end rather than a forced one — everyone left with strong images and plenty of new ideas to carry forward.

Next Year

Northumberland has a way of revealing something new every time, even in familiar locations. That’s what makes it such a rewarding place to run workshops: the blend of weather, coastline, history and open space creates endless variety.

Next year we’ll be returning to The Dunstanburgh Castle Inn. Its central location cuts down travel time and opens up more flexibility with locations — and with the workshop timed just after the clocks change, there’s real potential for night-sky work if the weather cooperates. After such a fun time with this year’s group, I’m already looking forward to heading back again with a new mix of photographers and seeing what the coastline offers us next.

If you would like to join me for next years trip please click here to view full details - BOOK NORTHUMBERLAND 2026!