Ashton Court Estate
In the last week of April 2025, a small group of keen, like-minded photographers met in Ashton Court Estate, on the southern fringes of Bristol. They were there to take part in a photowalk as a part of the RPS Talk Walk Talk (TWT) project, which had been organised by both the Landscape Group and the Digital Imaging Group of the Royal Photographic Society.
The topic for this event was Parks and Gardens, but par�cipants were encouraged to treat the topic as quite a wide brief. This was a good idea as the gardens were not yet in full bloom, although the estate did offer a very wide variety of photo opportuni�es, including the Manor House, which has existed on site in one form another, since the 11th century.
Having previously a�ended four similar TWT events over the past year or so, I was keen to lead a walk in a place that I have come to know quite well over the years.
The Estate comprises of more than 850 acres of woodlands and wild-flower-rich grasslands; it is a na�onal Site of Specific Scien�fic Interest and there are more than two hundred fallow deer that help to manage the land. It is also a very popular place for dog walking, woodland walks, mountain biking, family picnics and, of course, the Bristol Interna�onal Ballon Fiesta and the Kite Fes�val.
Four of the par�cipants already knew each other before the event, as they are members of an informal group of photographers interested in photobooks. They were joined by two very talented photographers, who were new to the TWT project.
A�er mee�ng at one of the cafés, and planning a route to the next one for lunch, we set off in a relaxed manner, doing our own thing and having a great �me doing it. We hope you enjoy the photographs we created on the day.
Neil Purcell LRPS Walk Leader
When making and choosing these final four images, I have applied the advice learned from talks and guidance given by the Royal Hor�cultural Society on how to photograph gardens to include subtle clues through architectural landmarks of iden�fica�on.
I have selected two 720nm Infrared images to narrate the high contras�ng shadows on the day and to demonstrate how textures are enhanced via this medium of photography.
I have chosen two colour images to illustrate the richness of the estate and its gardens at this �me of year, with plants and deer thriving in its grounds.
Our walk within Ashton Court Estate was a li�le early for most of the flowers to bloom, however, there was much within the landscape to photograph and enjoy.
It was good to walk and talk with like-minded photographers and reconnect with the many small wonders that o�en go unseen.
Geoff Hughes ARPS
I have been to Ashton Court many �mes to take photos and thought I knew most of it. However on this TWT ou�ng we went to many places which were new to me. Some�mes photography just flows, but on this day I struggled for a lot of the morning to ‘get my eye in’ and to find inspira�on in the surroundings.
Whilst struggling with this sort of crea�ve blockage I remembered something said in theTWT introductory talk, which advised people some�mes, to ‘just go for the green’. I took this as an invita�on to concentrate on the new growth presented by the Spring �me and that got things flowing a bit.
I saw the new leaves on the beech tree and the carpet of Bluebells on the top of a small ridge – which are two of the photos I like most from the day. I then found inspira�on in the power and majesty of some of the trees.
As well as the opportunity to take photos, the TWT format importantly provides a space to meet and discuss photography with other like minded people. These discussions and connec�ons can have long las�ng benefits. Overall it was a great day in the park.
Guy Robertson
“Hands Off My S�cks!” Neil Purcell LRPS
Selected by the group to represent the walk for the RPS online TWT Gallery
I first came to Bristol in 1993 as a mature student to study at the UWE Bower Ashton Campus, which sits on the edge of the Ashton Court Estate. Ever since that �me, this has become a place for ‘me �me’ with a camera, walking the dog, family picnics and I seem to remember even playing a round of golf with my dad, way back in the ‘90’s.
I enjoy the the wide open spaces, the woodland walks, the more in�mate landscapes, the deer parks and just the huge variety of photographic opportuni�es on the estate. More than this, you can get a decent cup of coffee, before or a�er a hard day’s shoo�ng. For me, this is one of my happy places and one I will return to again and again. And so, to spend a day with my camera, and such a lovely bunch of likeminded photographers, in this par�cular place, was an absolute pleasure.
Neil Purcell LRPS
I have visited Ashton Court many �mes over the 20 years I have lived in Bristol, but I have not done so with my camera in tow before. Looking at the estate through my viewfinder for the first �me, I was pleasantly surprised that there was such a diverse array of subjects, from bluebells in the woodland, a forest of tall pine trees, sweeping vistas from the hilltops of the estate and the more tradi�onal formal gardens and parkland.
I chose a group of images for the zine from the more formal areas of the estate, just next to the Manor House - I hope they capture the essence of what these old estates were at their heart - the formal and well-kept gardens that took many people (landscapers, architects, gardeners) much �me and effort to create. We are so lucky that Ashton Court is now open to the public for free and all that hard work can be enjoyed by all.
Rebecca Bengay
The Gatee The Tree
Light in the Wood
I always enjoy the TWT events and this one was no different. It was great to meet new friends, and some familiar faces for a memorable day out on the edge of Bristol. As always, seeing so much variety in the images from the same people in the same place at the same �me is a joy to behold. The feedback session was also illumina�ng showing that different people see different things in the same images. Ge�ng out in the fresh air, mee�ng like-minded folk and bagging a few reasonable images is what it is all about; long live TWT!
Steve Hartley LRPS
WESTERN Zine compiled by Neil Purcell LRPS