The Manor House Hotel from Stairs

This image was taken from the exterior stairs of The Manor House Hotel, which is in Castle Combe. The best way to get here is by car. To get this perspective, I entered the grounds through the gate and then walked toward the main building of the hotel. Walk up the stairs while you're still outside and then turn back around for a view of the building below you. Address: The Manor House Hotel Castle Combe, Chippenham SN14 7HX, United Kingdom

Although The Manor House Hotel can be visited during any month, I recommend photographing here in the summer and early fall when the vines will be full. If there's any snow in the forecast during winter, it'll create a magical fairytale vibe.

During an overcast day, there'll be enough light to illuminate the structure without having the scene overexposed by the sun.

I wanted to showcase the height of the architecture, so I stood on the top level of the stairs. From the bottom, you can capture more of the façade of the building, but you're not able to see the detailing on the hotel's roof like you can from a higher perspective.

Make sure you're shooting with a wide-angle or normal lens. If your lens is too narrow, you won't be able to fit all of the building in your shot.

Incorporate a model if you want to add a human element into your shot. In my opinion, I think it would look best if a model was in either floral or romantic-style clothing, but experiment with what you think will work.

In my opinion, Castle Combe is one of the prettiest villages in England. Make sure to spend some time there and admire all the traditional cottages. It's also a great village for some lifestyle or portrait shots since there's a charming backdrop on every corner.