2026 South Downs National Park Photo Competition
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.
Prizes: £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 with categories 10 years and under (win a family ticket to Bird World) and 11 to 17 (win a GoApe adventure for two).
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 public will get to vote for their favourite in January 2027 when a range of shortlisted images go out to a poll in The People’s Choice.
The deadline for entries is midnight on 31 October, 2026.
Good luck everyone! We can’t wait to see your images!
Enter the 2026 National Park Photo Competition
Please fill in this form for each image submitted and email the form and the image to photo@southdowns.gov.uk
You may enter up to six images in total across all categories (main category, wildlife, monochrome) – but please do so using separate emails and entry forms 😊
Enter the 2026 National Park Youth Photo Competition
- Download an entry form for the 10 years and under category.
- Download an entry form for the 11 years to 17 category.
Please fill in this form for each image submitted and email the form and the image to photo@southdowns.gov.uk
See the competition terms and conditions here.
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