Glastonbury Tor Sunset

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6720

Tor Silhouette

In Somerset there is a location between Wells and Shepton Mallet which is special.  Special because at this time of year the sun sets directly behind Glastonbury Tor.

Of course there are many locations that do the same at many times of the year.  What makes this spot special is its flexibility.  The view is open and criss-crossed with footpaths on sloping fields which give you the option to move left-right and up-down to get that perfect alignment.

As a bonus the tower is square on, so light shines through the archway.

This is the best time of year. Later, over the long shooting distance, haze may spoil your pictures.  But that long distance makes the sun much larger relative to the Tor.  You will need to bring a telephoto lens.

Attempt One

On my first visit it looked like there was a gap in the clouds near the horizon, but sadly a few minutes later the sun disappeared for the evening.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6136

Attempt Two

Much better, but the sun over shot the top of the Tor.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6720

Attempt Three

This time the alignment was perfect. However, the strength of the sun washed out the details of the Tor.  Also, I’m not a fan of the horizontal line of the nearby hill with its fence cutting all the way across the composition.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6633

Attempt Four

I searched out an alternative view.  This time making a feature of the fence line.  But, now the sun dropped to the left of the Tor.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above West Compton, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7704H

Attempt Five

Avoiding the fence line by changing location, and with the sun brushing the top of the tower, the soft light and the line of clouds this is probably my favourite.

I brightened the image as it helped hide a layer of brown pollution in the air that did not look good.  Brightening the image also made the golden colours pop.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6834

Remember to watch out for flocks of starlings returning to their roost at Ham Wall or Shapwick Heath.

Sunset over Glastonbury Tor – From above Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6569

And finally…

Photographers were not the only ones enjoying the sunset.

Sheep at Sunset – Dungeon Farm, Nr Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_6727