Batsford Arboretum Photography Workshops Autumn - Gloucs
For all levels of experience
Book Your Autumn Photography Workshop at Batsford Arboretum Today!
Daily - 24th Oct - 31st Oct 2025
Introduction
Explore the beauty of Batsford Arboretum through our specialised Batsford Arboretum photography workshops, which are perfect for those seeking photography courses in Gloucester. Capture the essence of Batsford Arboretum autumn photography as you learn to photograph the stunning seasonal changes in this picturesque location. Whether you're a novice or an experienced photographer, these workshops, led by Alan Ranger, offer a unique chance to enhance your skills and create breathtaking images of the arboretum's vibrant autumn landscapes. Join us for an unforgettable photography experience in the heart of Gloucestershire.
Book Today to Reserve your Place on our autumn photo sessions at Batsford
If you prefer to book by phone with a debit/credit card - please phone 0781 701 7994
The History of Batsford Arboretum
Batsford Arboretum, located in the heart of Gloucestershire, is steeped in history, with roots tracing back to the 19th century. The arboretum was developed by Lord Redesdale and later expanded by his son, who introduced a diverse range of trees and plants, many from Asia. Today, Batsford is renowned for its stunning autumn displays, making it a prime location for photography.
For over ten years, I have chosen Batsford Arboretum for my autumn photography workshops, teaching hundreds of photographers to capture its unique seasonal beauty. The rich history, combined with the incredible diversity of flora, creates a perfect environment for learning and creativity.
For more information on the arboretum's history, visit the official Batsford Arboretum website.
FAQ: What Makes Batsford Arboretum Ideal for Autumn Photography?
1. Diverse Autumn Foliage: Batsford Arboretum boasts a rich variety of trees and plants, offering an incredible array of autumn colours, from golden yellows to deep reds.
2. Scenic Landscapes: The arboretum’s rolling hills, tranquil water features, and well-maintained paths provide picturesque settings perfect for landscape photography.
3. Unique Photo Opportunities: With its historical significance and unique plant species, Batsford offers rare and captivating subjects for photographers, particularly during the autumn season.
4. Accessible Location: Situated in Gloucestershire, Batsford Arboretum is easily accessible, making it a convenient destination for photographers in the region.
5. Expert Guidance: Workshops led by experienced photographers like Alan Ranger ensure that participants can capture the arboretum's beauty at its peak.
What you will Learn
At the Batsford Arboretum photography workshops, you'll gain practical skills. Learn how to operate your digital camera, work off the automatic modes, start using more creative settings, and improve your eye for taking great shots. We will cover different approaches to photographing autumn colours, textures and shapes, from Macro and close-up to abstract or landscape photography styles.
Suitable For
The Batsford autumn workshops are suitable for any level of experience and for digital cameras. You will receive one-to-one support and guidance throughout as we explore various pockets of interest around the arboretum at a mindful pace. Alan has led photography workshops at Batsford for over ten years, so he knows where to go at specific times of the day to make use of the direction of light and ensure you maximise the opportunity to vary your shots.
These workshops are very popular every year, so don’t delay in booking your place and making a morning, afternoon, or whole day of it with Alan to help you expand your creative eye and improve your camera operation.
Join Alan Ranger, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning professional photographer and qualified photography tutor at Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire this Autumn.
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Batsford Arboretum always provides a terrific display of colour, texture and contrasts throughout Autumn. The photography workshops at Batsford are always very popular and give a wide range of topics to photograph.
You may like the close-up details of a leaf, fungi or texture of vibrant bark, or the wider angle views of colours and tree shapes that grace this location. There really is a complete range and choice for everyone here so it's not to be missed.
Batsford Arboretum is home to a unique collection of some of the world's most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs, and bamboos spread across 56 acres.
THE ARBORETUM - HISTORY Batsford Arboretum was the brainchild of Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, who inherited the Batsford estate in 1886. Freeman-Mitford, later the 1st Lord Redesdale, travelled widely throughout the Orient and was heavily influenced by Chinese and Japanese culture, philosophy, and horticulture.
Upon taking possession of Batsford, he created a unique mix of parkland and garden, with groupings of plants in imitation of Chinese style. Redesdale was an expert in bamboos, and many of the bamboo plants you can see today were his plantings.
Redesdale also began to plant unusual varieties of plants and trees, alongside a 600-meter-long watercourse. Included in his vision were a hermit's cave, rockery, and a rest house. The foundation established by Lord Redesdale was greatly expanded by Frederick Hamilton Wills, the 2nd Lord Dulverston, who inherited Batsford in 1956.
It is to Lord Dulverston that Batsford owes a great deal of its appeal today; he added considerably to the collection of trees, creating at Batsford an arboretum of the highest international standards.
THE COLLECTIONS Though the focus of Batsford is truly international, it is in the area of Oriental shrubs and trees that the collection shines. There are over 3,000 labeled plants, trees, and shrubs at Batsford. Notable varieties include oaks, maples, mountain ashes, magnolias, Japanese cherries, bamboos, and pines. Batsford holds the national collection of Japanese Village Cherries.
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Booking
Batsford Arboretum photography workshops in autumn - 2025 Dates
Half-Day morning workshops are 8 am to 11.30 am
Half-Day afternoon workshops are 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm
One Day workshops are 8 am to 3:30 pm
Dates 2025
Fri 24th Oct
Sat 25th Oct
Sun 26th Oct
Wed 29th Oct
Thu 30th Oct
Fri 31st Oct
Terms for all workshops & classes
Price includes entrance to Arboretum, where applicable and all tuition
Workshop/class dates are subject to a minimum number of participants
In the event of insufficient bookings or bad weather, alternative dates will be offered.
Participants are responsible for attending with appropriate footwear and are responsible for their own equipment.
Under 16's welcome but must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Bookings are confirmed within 24hrs & joining instructions will be emailed out 4-7 days prior to the event date.
Maximum group size six attendees for Autumn Photography Workshops.
Please read my terms and conditions as all bookings made are bound by them.
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Essentials for all photography workshops
Suitable for any camera (Compact, Bridge and DSLR)
Suitable for any level - complete beginner to advanced photographers
Receive 1-2-1 tuition and support throughout the workshop
Practical advice on camera settings and composition of images
No specialist equipment required
Batsford Arboretum Photography Workshop Content
A brief introduction for 20-30 min and a lesson on basic camera settings, techniques and the things to look for
A 3hr guided walk around the best seasonal part of Batsford Arboretum to make images with Alan's support and input.
Alan will guide you on;
Camera Settings
Exposure & Colour Settings
Composition and Framing
Abstract, Close-Up, Macro, Vista and any type of shot you want to create.
Image review and feedback throughout the workshop.
If you book a full 1-day workshop then we will break around midday and have a 30-60 min lunch break before continuing in a different part of the Arboretum in the afternoon.
The Arboretum has a great cafe and facilities but you can also bring your own packed lunch if preferred.
Fitness level Required - Easy
This trip is rated as easy, meaning that most people with average health/fitness can comfortably deal with the short walks and occasional steps or gradients involved and be comfortable on their feet for the duration of the workshop event.
Equipment for this workshop
You will be provided with a complete list of suggested equipment upon booking. The following is a summary of recommended items but it's not all essential:
Any type of camera
Spare battery
Tripod ( I have some for hire (£20 for day or £10 for half-day) if you don't own one yet) but let me know in advance so I know how many to bring. Alternately this is my recommended tripod for beginners at c£150
No specialist lenses required we can make use of whatever you have. Any lens or lenses covering wide-angle (15-24mm) to mid and long telephoto (24-200mm) plus a macro lens is ideal to cover all opportunities.
Remote cable release, useful but not essential as you can use cameras self-timer
A circular polariser filter is useful for removing highlights, wet surfaces and reflections but not essential (remember to order the diameter size that fits your main lens)
NDs and Grads are not really required for the type of photography we do, but if you want to bring them I’m happy to assist with their use
A kneeling mat or dustbin liner is useful when doing low down shots
A large polythene bag (sandwich bag) is useful for wrapping around the camera/lens if light rain
A micro cloth for absorbing any drizzle/rain from equipment
Waterproof shoes or boots and warm clothing - hat, scarf and gloves if the weather forecast is below 12 degrees.
Flask of tea/coffee and snacks to keep you energised
Location - Batsford Arboretum Photography
Batsford Arboretum is a 55-acre arboretum and botanical garden near Batsford in Gloucestershire, about 1½ miles north-west of Moreton-in-Marsh. GL56 9AB
For full listings of events please check - photography workshops and photography courses