So green and serene! Win £250 in National Park’s photo contest

The heartwarming serenity of the South Downs National Park will be the focus of this year’s annual photography competition.

Life in 2026 is so hectic and the National Park’s incredible landscapes, woodlands and heritage offer an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle and find stillness in the wonders of nature.

The theme of this year’s photo competition is ‘Serene South Downs: Back to Nature’ and judges will be looking for breathtaking images that celebrate the National Park’s serenity and those moments of slowing down and taking stock.

The judging panel will include acclaimed photographers Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson and Carlotta Luke, alongside Claire Blow, Deputy Editor of Outdoor Photography, together with Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority, and Jan Knowlson, the National Park’s Biodiversity Officer.

The prizes for the competition will be £250 for first place, £150 for second place and £75 for third place.

As always there will be a separate wildlife category, with a £150 prize for the best shot and £100 for the runner-up image.

For the first time, there will also be a special monochrome category, supported by Rachael Talibart’s f11 Workshops, and the top prize will be £100.

The youth competition returns this year for budding young photographers – with categories 10 years and under and 11 to 17. The prize for 10 years and under will be a family ticket to Bird World, while the winner of the 11 to 17 category will win a GoApe adventure for two.

Rachael said: “In troubled times, solace may be found in the natural world. I am looking forward to seeing photographs that capture the serenity that comes from connecting with nature in our National Park. We are so lucky to have this special haven in the South of England. I’m hoping for photographs that convey a real connection, story and mood that goes beyond the merely picturesque.”

Finn, who is based in Brighton, said: “I’m hoping to see unique, original pictures that stop me in my tracks. The kind of photographs that make you want to pause, take a deep breath and enjoy a moment of calm in a busy part of the world.”

Carlotta, who is based in Lewes, said: “This is a perfect subject for our stressful world of today. We all know that immersing ourselves in nature can calm our nerves. As a judge, I want to be able to feel, through a photograph, the serenity the photographer experienced. I have my own favourite places in our beautiful South Downs. I’m interested to see where others go to find serenity.”

Claire said: “In the South Downs National Park we are spoilt for choice for places to escape to where we can relax and immerse ourselves in nature. I’ll be looking for images that capture peaceful moments in the landscape and the sense of mindfulness that comes from slowing down and breathing in our surroundings.”

The deadline for entries will be midnight on Saturday 31st October 2026.

The winners will be announced in January 2027 and there will be a public vote for the People’s Choice winner with a prize of £100.

Enter the competition and find terms and conditions at southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/photo-comp/