Rough Crag
Click here for a large scale map of thirlmere with Locations added Click
This location is located on private property, however you will have to purchase a permit off the land owner at a cost of £30 plus VAT per year. Contact Admin@lowfly.net who will email you an application form. Please note: This is from the owner of the land and no way connected to this website.
Probably the most frequented part of Thirlmere by low flying photographers is Rough crag, a small ledge, located on the western hillside above Hause point just to the north of Brink Rigg. At this location you are fairly high up and are probably as close to the aircraft as you can get, if the aircraft are low over the water it is possible to get the over water shots. The light at this location may be tricky during the morning but from 11am onwards it is less of a problem for the rest of the day, aircraft will appear from your right side although the occasional helicopter may travel in the opposite direction. A word of caution at this location, during the winter months the woods around the lake, the western side in particular are often used to hunt the local deer population to restrict their numbers. If you hear shooting it is advisable to show your presence to avoid serious injury and death, this should apply to any location you visit. Think safety first. It is rather difficult to describe how to get to the location, so use the map and use your own judgement. You can locate the track at the bottom of the hill near Hause point through the gate, or as i prefer to do is to park at Dobgill car park and walk northwards and up hill to Brink Rigg and then drop down to the position. within half a mile of Hause point there are some small pull in type parking places, park there instead of trying to squeeze in at the side of the road at Hause point. Location picture of Rough Crag Click
View from Rough Crag Click
Brink Rigg
Brink Rigg is located on the same hill side as Rough Crag and is just positioned to the south of the tree line. This location offers plenty of warning and from here if the aircraft are low enough, you stand the chance of getting an over water shot. The best way of locating this position on the hill side is to park to the south in one of the nearby car parks and walk up the road until in the corner of the field you will see a public path heading up the hill at 45 degrees, follow this until you reach you height. Doing this means you can have your camera out as you travel up. An alternative is to find the gate for Rough Crag and instead of heading up that way, take the opposite track and follow this up as it winds its way up the hill.
Picture with deails for Bring Rigg, Click
Raven Crag
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Check the Thirlmere location map and Raven Crag and at first glance it may well put you off as it is very high and looks unsafe, its not. Raven crag is reached by parking at the triangle which is located at the western end of the dam where there is room for a small number of cars if parked correctly. From the car park tun right to the north and follow the road for 100 yrds,then find the path which will go up the hillside. Follow the path as it gradually turns and when near the top take the well worn path to the top and you should see the lake and the hillside opposite, you will have a clear view to the south down the lake which is where the aircraft appear from. If you look slightly to your right you should see Gt Howe in your 11 o'clock and the valley at the south end of the lake is Dunmail Raise which is noted elsewhere in this website.
If the 50 minute to one hour climb did not put you off and you arrive at the top, you are rewarded with a treat, and probably no finer view to watch out for aircraft. Aircraft here tend to be fairly small in the frame here with a typical Hercules needing a 300mm to almost full frame it, although the occasional aircaft do pull out at Raven, see the picture below, and you could be well rewarded.
Above the stunning view down the lake, Below a C130 taken at 300mm
Smaithwaite Banks
This location is located on private property, however you will have to purchase a permit off the land owner at a cost of £30 plus VAT per year. Contact Admin@lowfly.net who will email you an application form. Please note: This is from the owner of the land and no way connected to this website.
To the north of Raven crag by a few hundred yards is the rocky outcrop that is frequented by many lowflying photography enthusiasts. A large picture of Both Raven and Smaithwaite can be seen here Click
It is close to smaithwaite banks and the Benn, from this location excellent topside shots can be had of aircraft as they pass the dam and turn left towards Keswick. The route up is simple enough, head as if going to Raven crag and when you reach the summit, instead of turning left towards Raven, turn right instead. and follow the path around and drop down to the location, or you can follow the forestry track up and veer off right at the obvious short track, from here you navigate your way through the tree line to the craggs, or you could scramble up the bank (not recommended).
There are guides for both Armboth and Hause point on the original lowfly.net website, which can be found here, Click