We are a friendly Camera Club where members share information and techniques in a relaxed atmosphere.  We hold regular workshops, talks & competitions whatever your level of skill or expertise and look forward to welcoming new members.   Why not read more about our Club or have a look at our Programme and events for 2026/2027

Have you recently upgraded your camera and don’t know where to start with the buttons and dials?  Are you envious of the photos you see on the internet and wonder how they’ve been captured?  Do you want to improve your photography skills? Come along to a meeting to see what we can offer you!

Check out our FAQ or contact us – whatever your interest or questions we will do our best to help.

The images displayed in the galleries represent the wide range of photographic experience of our Camera Club members. Some have been photographers for many years and some are just starting out. Some have a broad range of editing skills using software such as Lightroom and Photoshop and others prefer not to edit their images at all. Some like to go beyond the purely photographic and to take their images into the realms of fine art.

We should acknowledge the support of the Eden Community Fund in equipping the Club with our laptop and projector. These together enable us to use, advise on and demonstrate the latest photo manipulation software, and to project images up to current and future standards.

Whatever your photographic style, we hope you find the site useful and we hope we will see you soon at our club.

Penrith & District Camera Club runs weekly from September to April.  We meet on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm-9.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Penrith CA11 7TR.  There is a car park on-site, though this is small and spaces are limited, and refreshments are available which are paid for annually.

We are a friendly, relaxed Club and all are welcome as members, guests and visitors.  There is always someone to help with any problem, whether you are a beginner to photography or an experienced member struggling with a particular detailed digital problem.  If you’d like to try us out come along to any meeting as a guest – there is a £3 charge on the night – £5 on speaker nights.  If you would like to join the club an annual £65 membership fee applies plus refreshments at £15.

Main Club Programme

Our programme is wide and varied including speakers, software evenings, competitions, member’s nights and social events.   We also take part in social and competitive events with other Camera Clubs in north Cumbria and Southern Scotland.  Click here to see our programme.

Summer Events Programme

During our summer break Club members still have the opportunity to socialize, meeting up monthly at various locations to take photographs usually followed by refreshments at the nearest pub!

Members wishing to take part are reminded to check with the published organiser - usually in the WhatsApp group - that each event is still taking place and to let them know they will be attending.  Non-members who would like to come along to a summer event with a view to joining the Camera Club please use the Contact Form putting ‘Summer Programme’ as the subject.

Our club was founded in 1980 as Cumbria Constabulary Camera Club.  In addition there was also a Penrith Natural History and Photographic Society which folded in 1987. Membership of the Constabulary Club expanded to embrace both ex-members of the Photographic Society and members of the public, eventually becoming Penrith and District Camera Club (PDCC).

In the early days the Club was a traditional Camera Club using film and dark room. Clubs - as the majority of photographers - have evolved rapidly and we have enthusiastically embraced digital technology and software.  We also use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp engage with both new and existing members.

We have a roughly equal number of male and female members, which means there is a wide variety of subject matter, interest and expertise, with some members completely new to photography while others have been taking photos for decades.

Groups of members meet regularly to work on photographic distinctions, on personal projects such as portfolios, albums, books and cards, and on audio-visuals which have sound effects, commentary and music and can be played through a laptop and digital projector. The Club made a photographic record of the Penrith built environment, recording the many changes as they happen.  Members also submit their work to many national and international competitions and exhibitions. The Club’s winter season finishes with an Annual Dinner and Trophy Night.