Westonbirt

john shiell · Post by **john shiell** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:31 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

It's getting that time of year again and wondering if anyone is contemplating a trip to Westonbirt. The forestry commission's website indicates 'turning yellow'. I imagine the amount of rain we've had recently the trees will be slow to take on their full autumn colour.
John

Post by **masch** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:57 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

While I may be interested, I don't even know where the place is..... Which suggests that it is too far away for me for a casual trip, unfortunately

Marc

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:57 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Here you go Marc www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

I've been there once a couple of years ago but made the mistake of going there at the weekend... imagine Alton Towers on a bank holiday except with trees... There were certain Acer trees that had an orderly queue of photographers awaiting their turn

Wonderful place to go and photograph but my advice would be to go during the week.

Paul

Post by **masch** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:48 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hmmm.... that does look nice...
Must plan a visit sometime...

Marc

SteveH · Post by **SteveH** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:49 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Living 3 miles from the place, count me in! I recommend Westonbirt and will take a look at the autumn colours in the next week and post here.

I spoke to them about LF use for the Cotswolds visit last year, and they were happy to have big cameras on site.

The tea room is good but expensive!

Steve Bell · Post by **Steve Bell** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:12 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I went there last year, the acer glade was very muddy, wellies would have been ideal. I lost one of the rubber feet from my manfrotto tripod in the mud, its still got the walking stick rubber on it I added as a temporary measure. This year I'll investigate places closer to home.

Mike M · Post by **Mike M** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:17 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Going a little off topic but.....

What are the best filters in places like Westonbirt? Do you really need to use filters?

Steve Bell · Post by **Steve Bell** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:28 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

All I've used is a polariser to increase saturation and cut down on glare from the leaves when shooting colour.

Mike M · Post by **Mike M** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:40 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Thank you Steve, I'II give the polariser a go.

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Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:40 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I second the use of a polariser. I also sometimes use my Lee coral grad inverted which gives a little ooomph to the leaves on the ground.

SteveH · Post by **SteveH** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 2:56 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hi All,

Went past Westonbirt yesterday - looking very nice; fantastic reds and golds.

Steve

keffs · Post by **keffs** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:35 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

SteveH wrote:Hi All,

Went past Westonbirt yesterday - looking very nice; fantastic reds and golds.

Steve

It is shown by the Forestry Comission as only "gone yellow". Does anybody know accdurate and current these Forestry Comission colour ratings are?

Steve

Lynne Evans · Post by **Lynne Evans** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:33 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Forestry Commission colour ratings are quite variable in their accuracy. For Westonbirt I would say that visits from now through to late November will give plenty to photograph. Different species colour up at different times, so there's a sequence of photo opportunities. My advice is to get there as early as possible - I've found the gate open at 8.30 on occasions.

Good luck!

Lynne

keffs · Post by **keffs** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:43 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Lynne Evans wrote:...My advice is to get there as early as possible - I've found the gate open at 8.30 on occasions.

Good luck!

Lynne

That is a good tip, as officially it opens at 9:00am. I think next week is possibly not the best time as its school half-term, which possibly means lots more people to get in the way.

Steve