Inn on the Lake wedding photography
An elegant lakeside hotel in Glenridding, where Ullswater, beautiful gardens and the surrounding fells give every wedding a properly dramatic sense of place.
Luxury, landscape and a wedding day that flows beautifully.
I’m Chris Freer, a Lake District wedding photographer based in Cockermouth. I’ve photographed weddings at Inn on the Lake for years, and it is one of those rare venues where the photographs do not need to be forced.
There is Ullswater, Glenridding, gardens, terrace views and woodland close by — as well as the lakeside jetty and gazebo when the weather decides it would like a starring role. The hotel itself keeps the day comfortable and effortless; outside, the scenery does the rest.
Everything feels close and comfortable. The landscape still feels enormous.
Inn on the Lake is a real destination venue without the logistical faff. Its spaces flow naturally, guests can settle in, and a short walk gives you genuinely varied portraits — rather than an hour away from your own wedding while the canapés get nervous.
Less moving about. More being there.
The day has a lovely natural rhythm, from preparations and ceremony through to drinks, dinner and dancing.
Ullswater brings the wow.
The lake, gardens and Glenridding views offer a sense of occasion before you have even left the hotel grounds.
Beautiful in whatever it decides to do.
Good interiors, sheltered corners and dramatic rain or evening options mean a wet forecast is a plan, not a panic.
Plenty of variety, without making a production of it.
On site, there are elegant hotel backdrops, landscaped gardens, the gazebo, lawns and the lake edge. The jetty and reflection pool give us striking Ullswater portraits without taking you away from your guests for long.
Close to the celebrations
- Gardens and gazebo
- Lawns and hotel exterior
- Reflection pool and lakeshore
By the water
- Ullswater jetty
- Lakeside reflections
- Evening silhouettes
You do not need to disappear for an hour to get beautiful Inn on the Lake portraits. A calm ten minutes by the lake can do a lot.
Build in a few small moments. Let the rest happen around you.
Inn on the Lake works best when there is breathing room: straightforward groups after the ceremony, a short portrait walk while guests enjoy drinks, and a ten-minute evening reset if the light is doing something lovely.
Keep portraits close first
Start with the gardens, terrace or jetty. They are easy, beautiful and keep you close to your guests.
Leave a small golden-hour window
Ten minutes later in the day can matter far more than a huge portrait session earlier on.
Have a wet-weather plan
We adapt calmly around the hotel, gazebo and covered areas, then use the weather if it gives us something interesting.
See how a complete wedding day looks here.
Dan and Amy’s summer wedding includes lakeside preparations, their outdoor gazebo ceremony, Nellie carrying the rings, golden-hour portraits and a packed evening dance floor.
From the quiet morning preparations to the full-on party, their photographs show how naturally a wedding flows at Inn on the Lake.
View Dan and Amy’s full Inn on the Lake wedding story →
Let’s make photographs that feel like the day did.
Relaxed, natural coverage; proper Lake District scenery when it fits; and enough time to actually be at your own wedding.
Useful pages while you’re planning.
An experienced Inn on the Lake photographer who knows when to use the views — and when to leave you to enjoy them.
I’m Chris Freer, a Lake District wedding photographer based in Cockermouth. I have photographed more than 1,500 weddings over the last twenty years, including many at Inn on the Lake in Glenridding.
That familiarity means I know the easy wins: when the lake and jetty have the best light, where to find a quieter ten minutes away from the crowd, and how to make the gardens, jetty and Ullswater backdrop work without turning the day into a photo schedule.
Inn on the Lake wedding gallery
A mix of the hotel, the lake, ceremonies, celebrations and the quieter in-between moments. Select any image to view it larger.
Right on Ullswater, with Glenridding unfolding behind it.
Inn on the Lake sits in Glenridding on the southern shore of Ullswater, with lake views on one side and woodland and fells on the other. The journey in is part of the experience — particularly useful for setting the right mood before the prosecco starts.
Quick notes for guests
- Address: Inn on the Lake, Lake Ullswater, Glenridding, Cumbria, CA11 0PE
- Nearest town: Glenridding, within walking distance
- By road: M6 (J40), A66 to Penrith, then A592 along Ullswater to Glenridding
- Parking: On-site for residents and wedding guests
Ullswater Steamers sail from Glenridding nearby — a lovely option for guests staying in Glenridding, and a useful excuse for a few lakeside portraits.
A few useful things to know.
Do we need to leave the venue for photographs?
No. Inn on the Lake gives us plenty at the hotel, gardens, lakeshore, jetty and reflection pool, all within a short walk.
Is Inn on the Lake good for winter weddings?
Very. Winter brings softer light, atmosphere over the lake and a really cosy feel inside. The hotel’s warm interiors and evening exterior are particularly good after dark.
What happens if it rains?
We make a simple plan, use the hotel’s sheltered areas and make the most of any breaks. Rain can also be lovely here, especially later in the day with the hotel entrance and lakeside atmosphere.
Can you help us plan the photography timings?
Absolutely. I will help make groups, portraits and the rest of the schedule feel realistic, leaving you time to enjoy the day rather than chase it.
Can you recommend other Lake District suppliers?
Yes — my Lake District wedding suppliers guide is a good place to start for film, flowers, hair, make-up, music and more.