Searching online for some good locations on the high weald for autumn landscape photography and came across Harrisons Rocks in Groombridge. Decided on a dawn visit to Harrisons Rocks on the high weald East Sussex and Kent border.

Harrisons Rocks Return

I have visited Harrisons Rocks before, it was on a return trip from west Sussex visiting relatives. Stopped off to scout it out. Back then it was midday summer and the rocks were crawling with climbers. This restricted what I could see and do there. Not get any good photographs and kind of forgot about the place. Knowing this the plan was a dawn visit to avoid all the climbers. With the rocks and mature deciduous tress looked like could be a great location for some autumn landscape photography.

Autumn is coming

A little before mid October and trees are beginning to turn. Still a little early for peak autumn colours but knew needed to have a good scout of the location and try to find some good viewpoints and compositions.

Right at the beginning of Harrisons rocks setup to catch the morning mist but unfortunately just missed the best of it. Often on the high weald it can be difficult to find a good photographic composition especially with interest in the foreground. The rocks made a good subject and focal point.

Ringo Parking Problems

There is parking at Harrisons Rocks can pay and display Ringo. Had a problem though as arrived early. The mobile app not accept payments until 8AM when the carpark officially opens. Duh! This created one of those parking problems where would need to return to the carpark else risk a fine.

West Facing Rock Face

There are thousands of potential compositions along the Harrisons rock face. A little overwhelming. I only got so far down the footpath before I had to head back to the carpark and either leave or pay up.

This early in the morning between 7-8AM there were no rock climbers one or two early risers. It was obvious with the rocks west facing a sunset shoot could be a lot better especially during autumn. F16 focused about 1/3 of the way in along to rock face did the trick no need to focus stack. Was using the wide angle lens 16-35mm. One problem with trees and foliage with a slow shutter speed is motion blur, not a problem this morning as no wind.

High and Low Viewpoints

Back at the carpark there is a nice coffee van that opens around 8:30AM so had a break and decided what to do. As was in the area wanted to scout the entire location of Harrisons Rocks. So could now pay up at the Ringo machine and returned to the rock face.

You can walk above the rock face and below, from what I could see the better compositions were from the footpath below. Above Harrisons rocks there are some good tree root details and autumn foliage collecting on the ground.

Above Harrisons Rocks there are a few gaps in the trees and some good views west of the high weald countryside around Groombridge. Clear to see some trees are peaking early. Still a little morning mist clinging to the ground really compliments those colourful autumn scenes.

Autumn Composition

Walked the complete stretch of Harrisons rocks along the top, followed the footpath down and round and then walked back along the ground the way I had come. Took a lot longer than I thought and had to keep renewing my parking for another hour. You dont need to return to the carpark to do that, luckily. A steam train runs pass every 45 minutes or so maybe could work that into a composition. It was a very bright sunny October morning.

Managed to capture another autumn composition along the face of Harrisons rocks. Working the wide angle lens allowed the inclusion of the complete tree in the background and the footpath as a leading line in the foreground. After which rock climbers began to turn up and the sun was working its way round and up and too bright casting very contrasting shadows. Time to call it a day and return home.

Check out the October 2022 landscape photography gallery

Check out the East Sussex landscape photography gallery