Had been looking forward to returning to Bewl Water with a mountain bike and doing a complete circuit. From a previous scout of Bewl a few weeks before knew it was good for a ride and where there was some free parking if you got there early morning.

Bewl Water Parking

Arrived around 7:30 am at the free parking spot at the far end of Bewl Water along Rosemary Lane. There was only one overnight camper there, be warned at this spot after 10AM there is no where to park. You can park at the official Bewl Water carpark all day for £5.

No Riding

On entrance to the footpath around Bewl Water from Rosemary lane there was a temporary sign up to not ride your bike! due to the wet ground and messing up the footpaths. There are only a few areas where it is just grassland. Majority of the route are proper footpaths and lanes.

Scouting

It was an overcast, mild and foggy morning, low visibility. Only had a lightweight kit including my compact camera, this was primarily a scouting trip and to get some serious exercise.

Bewl Water Damn

Made it to the damn at Bewl Water or the main bank. There are some buildings in the water, some sort of control tower that were surrounded by thick fog. Had to get my compact camera out at this point and take some shots of the reservoir and fog, with the control tower as the focal point.

Circular Routes

You can cover lots of ground quickly on a bike. But if not careful can miss compositions as not so easy to stop and look around. Recommend regular stops to look back and around. Another option on these circular routes is to return and do another loop but going in the opposite direction.

Bewl Woodland Fog

Being on the high weald there is lots of woodland around Bewl Water. Fog and woodland make a good subject for photography. There was still strong autumn colours in the trees and through fallen leaves on the ground.

A good technique in foggy woodland is to have a centre of light leading out of the woodland. Our eyes are naturally drawn to brightest parts of an image. The golden brown leaves on the ground lead you out of the forest into the light. Waited for the silhouette of a walker in the circle of light but not quite get the timing right to get them centred.

In the woodland and with the fog there were now lots of compositions to shoot. This bike ride was going to take a long time. Now was regretting not bringing my DLSR and tripod as the conditions were good. Again the whole composition contains interest and visual flow. The leading lines of the heavily covered footpath with autumn leaves, the fence leading you to the dog walker and the light at the end of the tree tunnel.

Woodland Paths

Fog adds atmosphere and mystery to a woodland scene. Usually you want to exclude the bright sky but the fog blends nicely into the sky avoiding any stark contrast.

From the paths and lanes around Bewl Water there is lots of tranquil countryside scenes of the High Weald. There were lots of woodland paths leading off, I could not cover them all. Much of this is ancient woodland too.

Fog Clearing

Continued to follow the paths around Bewl Water, it is well sign posted if you are doing the complete circuit. Wherever there was a clearing leading back down to the banks of the reservoir, headed down to check out the view.

The fog was pretty think down on the reservoir looking across to the opposite bank. But it was dissipating fast now as the sun began to break through. Wishing I had arrived an hour earlier now, at dawn. Fog creates lots unique opportunities with this type of landscape photography.

A bit further along following the footpaths round, the fog had cleared except for in the far background. Trout fisherman made a good focal point as the morning sunshine caught their white boat.

High Weald Countryside

Past Bewl Wood and looking east towards Wadhurst there was some compelling high weald countryside to shoot. Took a few panoramic, one frame was just not enough.

The woodland trees were full of autumn colour, the composition even included a nest of oast houses and church spire in the background. If not moved further down the field would have missed these elements.

Bewl Return

Great morning ride around Bewl water on the border with east Sussex and Kent. Lots of compositions to shoot, the fog was a fantastic addition. Will return with full kit and ride round the other way. With the stopping off for photography its probably touching around 15 miles distance covered, too far to walk, take a bike.