Off Season 2025/26
20 Destinations Reviewed
Our travels are built around a simple idea: discover a destination one photograph at a time.
Rather than rushing from attraction to attraction, we explore on foot, looking for the viewpoints, paths, streets, landscapes and small details that make a destination memorable.
We've explored destinations across the UK and around the world, from Welsh mountain valleys and Cornish fishing villages to the remote coastline of British Columbia and the mountains of Andorra.
So, if you're wondering where to travel when everyone else has gone home, here's our review of every destination we visited in 2025/26 currently featured on Off Season Travel.
Bala, Wales
Best for: Lakes, mountains, outdoor adventures and dramatic Welsh landscapes
Off-season appeal: ★★★★★
Photography potential: ★★★★★
Welcome to Bala, perched at the head of Llyn Tegid, a place where North Wales unleashes some of its most jaw-dropping scenery! This isn’t just another sleepy town; Bala is the ultimate launchpad for adventure! Whether you’re itching to conquer mountain trails or just soak up countryside vibes, it’s all on your doorstep. But the real star here? The legendary lake. Off-season, you’ll feel like you have the entire place to yourself, with dramatic weather rolling in and transforming the landscape into a living, breathing painting. Photographers, get your cameras ready! Bala is pure magic for anyone who loves capturing wild, unfiltered landscapes. One minute it’s bright, the next, mist and moody clouds sweep in, making every shot unique. The weather isn’t just a backdrop; it’s part of the show. And if you’re craving even more action, the surrounding area is packed with epic walks and outdoor adventures. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who wants to blend jaw-dropping photos with adrenaline-fueled escapes.Our verdict
Go off-season if: you’re ready for wild beauty, ever-changing skies, and the kind of unpredictable weather that makes every visit an adventure.
In Bala, the weather isn’t just something you deal with; it’s the secret ingredient that turns every photo and every moment into something unforgettable.
Photography rating: 9/10
Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales
Best for: Mountains, countryside, autumn colour and wide-open landscapes
Off-season appeal: ★★★★★
Photography potential: ★★★★★
Let’s talk about Bannau Brycheiniog, formerly the world-famous Brecon Beacons, aka one of Wales’s absolute showstoppers! Here’s the secret sauce: visit in the off-season, and you get the place (almost) to yourself! The crowds vanish, and suddenly it’s just you and the mountains, with nature putting on a private performance. Imagine winding country roads, lush valleys, rolling rivers, and enough mountains to make your hiking boots dance with excitement. And if you swing by in autumn? Boom, fiery colours everywhere! If you’re a photography buff, this is your playground. Follow the light, chase the clouds, and snap away; every direction is a postcard waiting to happen. And when those moody Welsh clouds roll in? Get ready for next-level drama, think epic movie set vibes!
Our verdict: This is one of the strongest destinations on the Off Season Travel list.
If you want a traditional Welsh landscape experience without the summer crowds, put Bannau Brycheiniog high on your list.
Photography rating: 10/10
Cardiff Bay, Wales
Best for: Urban photography, waterfronts, architecture and city walks
Off-season appeal: ★★★★☆
Photography potential: ★★★★☆
Who says every off-season adventure needs to be about climbing mountains? Time to switch things up!
Welcome to Cardiff Bay, where the city buzz meets shimmering water, epic bridges, and jaw-dropping modern architecture! Every step brings a new view, and the energy here is next-level. Want dramatic skies? Cardiff Bay delivers, especially in autumn and winter, when the clouds put on a show over the waterfront. And the best part? With fewer crowds, you’ve got room to roam and snap your perfect shot without anyone in your frame. This is what Off Season Travel is all about: finding those hidden city gems that flip the script on the usual countryside photo spots.
Honestly, some of the most unforgettable shots? They’re hiding right here in the city center. Who knew, right?
Our verdict: A great choice for photographers who prefer architecture and urban landscapes to wilderness.
Photography rating: 8/10