Winter Photography in the Enchanting Forest of Dean
- James Kelly-Smith
- Jan 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The Forest of Dean has a unique charm in the winter months. In this blog, I will take you through my photography experiences during the colder months and explain why I love to capture the Forest at this time of year.
Exploring the Forest's Rich History
The Forest of Dean, nestled between the Wye and Severn rivers, is one of Gloucestershire's stunning yet often underappreciated regions. Its history dates back to Roman times, marking the beginning of its mining and timber heritage. Over the centuries, it has served as a Royal hunting ground and provided essential resources for British military campaigns, including the World Wars and the invasions of Ireland. This rich history has shaped the forest's present landscape, offering distinctive and diverse woodlands.
I believe this historical significance adds to the Forest of Dean's charm. Despite its smaller size compared to other British woodlands, wandering through its trails reveals an array of scenery. You can find evergreens, oaks, beeches, heathland clearings, and many lakes rich in wildlife. It's never dull. That's why, during what is often considered the dullest season of the year, the Forest of Dean shines brightly.
Snow Place like the Forest
Observing snow in the forest can be enchanting. It transforms the landscape and creates a magical atmosphere. As Wilhelmina remarks in the US comedy show 'Ugly Betty', "Snow is a magical blanket; it hides what's ugly and makes everything beautiful." While I don't mean to imply the forest is ugly, it's true that nature can often seem chaotic with fallen trees and wildlife disturbances. Snow conceals this chaos, offering a pristine canvas ideal for photography.
Additionally, snow absorbs sound. Wandering through the Forest, the background noise fades away, creating an almost deafening silence. However, the sounds of bird song and wildlife crunching the snow can be heard more vividly.
Of course, there are challenges. I must think ahead to avoid leaving footprints in my photographs. The last thing I want is evidence of my wandering detracting from a perfect composition. However, sometimes footsteps can enhance an image, adding depth to the story behind the capture.
Snow has generally eluded me during my four years in the Forest of Dean. Many factors have contributed to this, from my lack of preparedness to complications while shooting. This winter, however, I managed to capture a few stunning images and secretly hope for another snowfall before spring arrives.
The main challenge of photographing snow is achieving the correct exposure. Some automated functions of my digital camera work well in normal conditions, but snow presents distinct challenges. Snow's brightness tricks the camera into thinking it's a brighter scene, causing images to appear greyish. Sometimes, the snow looks like it needs a bit of a Daz treatment.
While it’s possible to edit some of these images, there are those that are nearly irreparable due to extensive editing needs. Thus, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and slightly overexpose the shot to bring out the snow’s pure whites.
The 'Frost' of Dean
When Jack Frost arrives, the Forest of Dean is equally stunning. Some areas are more prone to frost, given the diversity of tree species. This variance can make it challenging to know where to find the best frosty scenes. However, this unpredictability keeps the experience fresh and exciting.
Frost is also an excellent opportunity to capture details. My favorites include fallen leaves and ferns. The frost enhances the leaf structures, creating beautiful contrasts with the burnt oranges and browns of a winter morning.
One of the best places to visit during this season is Moseley Green. The clearings, dotted with silver birches and oaks, provide stunning backdrops. If you visit in early winter, you may capture frost alongside a few last autumn colors.
These stunning scenes often leave me with frozen hands, making it difficult to operate my camera. I suspect I have poor circulation, possibly linked to low blood pressure. At times, I struggle to turn the dials on my camera. Keeping my gloves on has led to wild camera settings and misplaced focus.
Not to Be Mist
Mist and fog often bring out the beauty of the Forest of Dean during winter. This forest conceals much of its mining heritage, and fog can create a mysterious feeling as if looking back through the mists of time.
Foggy conditions can create stunning photographs, especially when the trees look bare. However, locating these misty conditions can be unpredictable. Sometimes, I find myself driving around to find the best spots. The forest's elevation between the Severn and Wye rivers creates areas where fog can settle for extended periods.
While I won’t over-romanticize the Forest's beauty on bleak winter days, fog transforms it into something intriguing. Take, for example, this pathway through the woods lined with bare trees. Thankfully, no area of the Forest remains unchanged for long, as evergreens reappear not far down the stretch.
This year, I aimed to capture a shot I’ve long envisioned. Speech House Hotel, central to the Forest's history, was originally built as a hunting lodge for Charles II. Now a hotel and restaurant, it resembles a historic inn. Its ghost stories add character to its charm. Capturing its dark, misty ambiance took several attempts, mostly due to parked cars. I'm pleased with the result.
Saturated Skies
Winter sunrises and sunsets seem more potent, producing some of the most beautiful colors of the year. For instance, take the image above, captured close to Awre – one of the best sunrises I witnessed this winter. Good sunrise and sunset scenes in the Forest can be rare, mainly because of the trees.
However, while expansive vistas like Awre are uncommon, the light penetrates the woodlands beautifully. One of my favorite winter spots is Woorgreens Nature Reserve. Those who follow me on social media know it’s a favored location for me year-round. The open heathland allows light to shine through, whether illuminating scattered trees or the dense woodlands. Add some mist, and you have a truly magical scene.
Conclusion: Embrace the Winter Magic
This winter in the Forest of Dean has been captivating, despite stormy weather. I encourage everyone to explore the outdoors during the colder months. Abundant sights await, and the season unveils a unique charm. Embrace the tranquility and beauty that winter brings. So, wrap up warm and venture out to experience this enchanting landscape.
If you enjoyed these photos, visit my print store, where you can find high-quality prints and framing options for your home. I can also customize framing to your specifications.
And for the encore, here are a few more photos I've taken this winter...
Love the photos, & Speech House really looks mysterious with the mist & lighting. I just wish the snow had lasted a little longer than the few days it was here!