St Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale
St Mary's is a Norman parish church in the quaint market town of Kirkby Lonsdale. The oldest parts date to around 1093-1130, and the unique square stone tower stands above the surrounding rooftops. The ornate iron gates and arch at the entrance frame the church nicely if you shoot straight up the path toward it. The churchyard opens directly onto Ruskin's View, the panorama of the Lune Valley that Turner painted and Ruskin called one of the loveliest scenes in England. From the edge of the churchyard you look out over the river, the meadows, and the distant fells, with a small stone gazebo that works well as a framing element or in the foreground to add depth. Soft morning light and golden hour both work well, autumn brings strong colour into the trees and fields, and still mornings often leave mist sitting over the river. Inside, the church is worth exploring with its three Norman columns, plus other intricate carvings and 19th-century stained glass. The interior is dim, so bring a fast lens or a tripod and check before hand to ensure tripods are allowed during your visit. The church is open dawn to dusk daily. As a bonus Devil's Bridge, a 14th-century a stone arch over the river, is a short walk away and makes an easy second photo stop. (Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, United Kingdom)
