Location Map of Thirlmere area
Click map below to see very large map with locations on it.
Note, the 2 locations below. Raven Crag on your left and Smaithwaite on the right. Click the image for the larger picture.
Rough Crag
Probably the most frequented part of Thirlmere by low flying photographers is Rough crag, located on the western hillside above Hause point. 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 eastern 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 then drop down to the position.
The view from the crag, click picture for larger image
Rough crag below as seen from the east side, click image for larger image with indicated routes and locations.
Below, a Bae owned and operated Harrier T11a, passes by Rough Crag.
Map courtesy of Graham Farish
Raven Crag
Thirlmere is located North of Grasmere on the A591 and Has some really good locations most of which are on the west bank which most of the aircraft tend to favour. 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 How in your 11 o'clock and the valley at the south end of the lake is Dunmail Raise which is noted later in this section.
Tornado gr4 2 sqn pulls up and over the top of the crag
Raven Crag as seen from Great Howe
Hercules shot with a 300mm lens with the back drop of Great Howe
Tornado gr4 by Dave Allen at Raven Crag
F15 Eagle caught by Dave Allen
Tornado Gr4 below
Raven Crag from the eastern shore.
Further locations around thirlmere
There are many other locations on the western side at the southern end to this valley some give side on views and some give underside shots. After you have been observing aircraft's habits at this or any location you will develop a natural curiosity to try other vantage points for the different style of shot.Dont be put off by the eastern side being too far back for pictures, there are some good vantage points available from the rocky ledges opposite the 2 islands (see picture below).Although slightly further away for full frame shots an hercules for example would be nice if you was high enough for an over the water type shot.
large picture of thirlmeres locations including disabled area
Smaithwaite Banks
To the north of Raven crag by a few hundred yards is the rocky outcrop that is frequented by many lowflying photography enthusiasts
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 yuor way throguh the tree line to the craggs,or you could scramble up the bank (not recommended).
The rocks a couple of hundred yards to the north of Raven crag, this is a popular place with lots of photographers
The View looking down the lake with Raven on the right.
Looking south a pair of Tornado gr4's head north up the valley
From this location a 300mm is fine but a 400mm is desirable. For some reason aircrews have been transiting on the east side of the lake and going wide around the corner and quite a lot have been going around the east side of Great Howe, this is not a lot of use to the photographer requiring full frame shots. If an aircraft is taking the regular line it will pass the dam and bank showing its topside to you like the Tornado image below taken at 300mm.
This is an excellent winter location due to the fact that you are sheltered from the North wind and you can take cover in the trees which are only a few yards away. The climb is approx 25 minutes from the road.
There are numerous vantage points around Thirlemere for the disabled click on some of the links for location pictures of where to go. The most obvious places are almost in the centre of the lake on both the eastern and western sides, namely Armbooth carpark and highwood car park near the swirls. Both locations have toilets nearby tend to offer both side on shots and bottom shots depending on the line the aircraft takes as it travels over the lake. In the southwestern corner of Thirlmere is a carpark at Dobgill here you can park and get approx 50-100ft bove the lake surface, although you are set slightly back.A 300mm lens is usefull for this location, although a lens with a range of up to 400mm is desirable
Hause point
A further location for those who are not able to climb is the viewing area at Hause point. You must be able to climb a small flight of about 10 steps to gain entry to the area, this might not be suitable for wheel chair users. Hause point is located just to the south of the small islands on the western shoreline. You can park at the nearby carpark and walk back or you can be dropped off at the bottom of the bsteps where there is room to park for the short term .Once up the steps there is a small area of around 30ft which is located about 60ft above the surface of the lake, there is also a small seat in which to take the weight off your feet. At the rear of the area is a large rock where you can climb up and gain another 12ft in height. From this location you have a clear view down the lake towards Dunmail and the jets will be slightly above you , although the towering Helvelyn provides a great scenic backdrop . Helicopters may be at the same height as you as they transit over the lake.
An unmarked Tornado gr4 by Dave Allen at Hause point viewing area
The bridge Thirlmere east side
Located almost opposite Hause point on the Eastern side of the lake is a clearing with a bridge over a stream running down Hellvellyn. This location is a good place to be in early mornings when the sun will be behind you, you may feel you are slightly low here but often aircraft drop down over the lake and you may be lucky to get over the water type shots, although for this type of shots you may be better off on the crags over your right shoulder about 100 feet higher than the bridge. To reach this location you can either park at the car park near the Thirslspot and walk through the woods following the footpath, this leads you straight to the location, or you can reach it from the Dunmail end by following the same path. It is around 20 minutes from either starting point.
The view from the bridge location below.
The bridge as seen from rough Crag, click image for the larger picure.
Below. This image is taken from rough crag on the opposite side of the lake. Note the Bridge location in the background.
Coming soon. New locations
