Breathtaking Britain: Lake District named UK's most spectacular landscape to capture on camera... with southern beauty spots snubbed by photographers

  • Scenic Windermere – the largest natural lake in England – named The Lake District's top beauty spot 
  • The Lake District was followed by the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Snowdonia National Park
  • Scotland's Isle of Skye was named the top ‘lesser-known’ beauty spots in the UK in a recent survey

By Chris Kitching for MailOnline

Published: 03:13 EST, 1 August 2015 | Updated: 05:35 EST, 1 August 2015

Famed for its rugged mountains and tranquil waters, The Lake District has been named the most photogenic landscape in all of Britain.

Professional and amateur photographers named scenic Windermere – the largest natural lake in England – the region’s top beauty spot when it comes to capturing breathtaking images.

The Lake District was followed by the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District, with northern landscapes claiming the top five spots in a poll commissioned by Nikon.

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Famed for its rugged mountains and tranquil waters, The Lake District has been named the most photogenic landscape in all of Britain

Famed for its rugged mountains and tranquil waters, The Lake District has been named the most photogenic landscape in all of Britain

The Lake District was followed by the Yorkshire Dales (pictured), with northern landscapes dominating the list

The Lake District was followed by the Yorkshire Dales (pictured), with northern landscapes dominating the list

The Peak District, which placed third on the list, has provided many memorable moments for professional and amateur photographers

The Peak District, which placed third on the list, has provided many memorable moments for professional and amateur photographers

Snowdonia National Park in Wales and Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands rounded out the top five.

At No 6, Stonehenge was the first southern spot to make the list, followed by the White Cliffs of Dover.

In a second poll more than 2,000 UK adults were asked to rank the top ‘lesser-known’ beauty spots in the UK, with Scotland’s Isle of Skye ranking first.

It was followed by Lizard Peninsula, in Cornwall, and Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls in Wales.

Snowdonia National Park is known as Eryri in Welsh - a name that can be translated as 'the place of the eagles'

Snowdonia National Park is known as Eryri in Welsh - a name that can be translated as 'the place of the eagles'

Loch Ness, in the Scottish Highlands, is a picturesque setting famed for 'sightings' of the Loch Ness Monster

Loch Ness, in the Scottish Highlands, is a picturesque setting famed for 'sightings' of the Loch Ness Monster

At No 6, Stonehenge (pictured) was the first southern spot to make the list, followed by the White Cliffs of Dover

At No 6, Stonehenge (pictured) was the first southern spot to make the list, followed by the White Cliffs of Dover

When it comes to capturing that quintessential British photograph, 86 per cent of those polled agreed the image should include a red post box or letter box.

Other favoured symbols include a pub (82 per cent), cricket green (79 per cent) and countryside village (76 per cent).

As for the weather, 70 per cent agreed that ‘overcast skies’ – not sunshine– make for a more characteristically ‘British’ scene.

Half of those polled said a camera remains a day trip essential for them, with only a third of those being happy with their first shot of any scenic view.

The White Cliffs of Dover look out onto the English Channel, with scenic views towards the northern coast of France

The White Cliffs of Dover look out onto the English Channel, with scenic views towards the northern coast of France

Scotland's Isle of Skye was named the top ‘lesser-known’ beauty spot in the UK in a poll commissioned by Nikon

Scotland's Isle of Skye was named the top ‘lesser-known’ beauty spot in the UK in a poll commissioned by Nikon

Stunning Lizard Peninsula, in Cornwall, is the most southerly point on the UK’s mainland

Stunning Lizard Peninsula, in Cornwall, is the most southerly point on the UK’s mainland

Londoners were the most fussy, with half of city dwellers admitting it takes them a few clicks to get the perfect shot, and a third revealing it takes them up to 10 minutes until they are satisfied.

Jeremy Walker, Nikon ambassador and landscape photography expert, said: ‘For me, variety is what makes our countryside so brilliantly British.

‘From the Yorkshire Dales with its brooding, bleak moorland, gentle rolling hills and dry stone walls to the drama of Snowdonia National Park, which is unlike anywhere else you would find in the UK, there’s so much on offer for the photographer.

‘Of course, the red phone and letter boxes are icons of the British landscape, but there’s nothing quite like the British village. ‘Whether you’re in Devon with its thatched cottages and whitewashed walls or the Cotswolds with its honey-coloured stone - a village provides a great focal point to any landscape photograph.’

At 240ft, Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls, in Wales' Berwyn Mountains, is the UK's tallest single drop waterfall

At 240ft, Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls, in Wales' Berwyn Mountains, is the UK's tallest single drop waterfall

Durdle Door, a limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth, Dorset, is a popular spot for holidaymakers

Durdle Door, a limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth, Dorset, is a popular spot for holidaymakers

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