Stoneywell through the Lens

A butterfly perched on a magnolia at Stoneywell, Leicestershire

The cottage at Stoneywell is often described as the epitome of a chocolate box and, with sweeping vistas, quirky nooks and crannies and intricate details, it is no wonder that Stoneywell has become a photographer's paradise. Now, we head towards our annual photography competition.

Our Photography Day on February 9, marks the start of our fourth annual Photography Competition, called “Stoneywell through the Lens”. The theme being ‘Capturing a hidden gem’. With photographs taken at Stoneywell being entered, whether this may be of the garden, wood, cottage, stables and well house. 

Stoneywell is the ideal place for anyone who loves taking photographs. When Donald and Anne Gimson started to significantly develop and grow the gardens at Stoneywell, they had one specific goal in mind: to ensure that there was always something in colour, every week of the year. With an abundance of flora (including over 150 species of rhododendron) and fauna they certainly succeeded, and now the seasonal changes offer budding photographers a reason to return time and time again.

The gate to the kitchen garden at Stoneywell
Looking through the gate to the walled garden at Stoneywell
The gate to the kitchen garden at Stoneywell

But it's not just the garden and woodland that inspire visitors to get trigger happy behind a lens: the cottage itself, with its winding staircases, handcrafted furniture and nostalgic furnishings, offers an unusual backdrop for photographs.

An early-twentieth century typewriter
An Underwood typewriter
An early-twentieth century typewriter

While you may be spoilt for choice over the best photography spots at Stoneywell, don't miss the most iconic image of them all - looking up at the cottage from the main drive.

The view of Stoneywell Cottage from the rowan tree
Stoneywell Cottage sits beyond the rowan tree in the garden
The view of Stoneywell Cottage from the rowan tree

Competition rules: Entrants to the competition can submit two photos in total as prints, in colour or black and white. They must be A4 (297 x 210mm) in size, with no border.

These must be marked on the reverse with the title of their image and their name, address, contact telephone (both daytime and evening) and email address. 

Entries should be sent by post to: Stoneywell Photographic Competition, Stoneywell, Polly Botts Lane, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, LE67 9QE. Alternatively entrants can submit their photographs in person in an envelope to the Stables at Stoneywell during property opening hours (10am – 4.00pm), all visits to Stoneywell must be prebooked. We regret that we are unable to accept submissions by email or other electronic means.

There will be 2 entry categories: one for under 16’s and 16 and over (with one winner in each category). The competition closes at 5pm on 22 May 2020. The best 25 will be displayed at our Photography Exhibition, running 3 to 14 June 2020.

The terms and conditions can be found here. (PDF / 0.7626953125MB) download