Capture Padley Gorge’s spectacular autumn colours, flowing water and ancient woodland on this Wex guided landscape photography workshop.

Join Wex Photo Video at Padley Gorge. It's a short ravine in an area of thick woodland that stretches for about half a mile from Longshaw Park to Grindleford Station at Upper Padley.

The gorge is well worth a visit at any time of the year but especially in the autumn it is particularly spectacular.

The woodland is transformed into a sea of golden colour and the numerous cascades become even more attractive with the leaves that are carried downstream along the brook. It is a photographer’s dream location!

As Burbage Brook makes its way south to join the River Derwent at Grindleford it rushes through this steep-sided valley surrounded by atmospheric and indigenous oak woodland – a rare survival from ancient times.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ONLY £49.00 IF PURCHASED BEFORE 31ST AUGUST 2026. FULL PRICE WILL BE £75.00 AFTER THIS DATE.

PHOTOGRAPHING AUTUMN COLOURS AT PADLEY GORGE.

· Capture the atmosphere of Padley Gorge in autumn, using colour, water movement, moss-covered rocks and woodland texture to create strong seasonal landscape images.

· We will observe the changing light and build compositions around the relationship between Burbage Brook and the surrounding woodland.

· Autumn foliage: golden leaves, orange canopies, fallen leaf detail and colour contrast against moss and gritstone.

· Burbage Brook: cascades, pools, reflections, leaf trails and flowing water through the gorge.

· Woodland character: ancient oak trees, twisted roots, tree trunks, branches, ferns and atmospheric pathways.

· Foreground details: wet leaves, mossy boulders, textures, patterns and small natural arrangements.

· Man-made and historic features: bridges, paths and abandoned millstones where appropriate.

· Long exposure: use ND filters to soften water movement while retaining detail in the rocks and leaves.

· Polarising filter: reduce glare on wet rocks, deepen colours and control reflections on the water.

· Depth of field: balance sharp foreground detail with woodland depth using aperture control.

· Exposure control: protect highlights in bright water and avoid losing detail in shadowed woodland.

· White balance: maintain natural autumn warmth without over-saturating the colours.

· Tripod technique: compose carefully, check edges of the frame and refine the shot before pressing the shutter.

Suggested kit

· All camera brands welcome with charged batteries and formatted memory cards.

· Wide-angle lens for woodland scenes and brook compositions.

· Standard or short telephoto lens for isolating details and compressing layers.

· Tripod for long exposures and careful composition.

· ND filters, polariser and cleaning cloths for wet conditions.

· Waterproof footwear and clothing, as paths, roots and rocks may be slippery.

Address: Padley Gorge Trail, Hope Valley S32 2JA.

Grindleford Train Station: The gorge begins just a short walk from the station.

By Car: Parking is available at Grindleford Station, Surprise View Car Park (off the B6521), or the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate.

10am Meet at train station.

10.15am Begin the day with briefing from the Wex Events Team.

10.30am – We take our first shots of the day looking at how we frame and utilise the Autumn Colour.

12.00pm - Lunch ( This is not provided so please bring packed lunch and flask)

12.45pm - Using ND Filters, Polarisers and Black Mist Filters.

3pm – Debrief from the Wex Events Team and close.

Exclusive Wex offers on the day. You also have the option to stay in the location after the course has finished.