‘Leaf peeping’ is an activity that sees people actively travel to observe and photograph the colourful foliage seen during the months of autumn.
Brits are jumping on the trend in force, targeting the country’s most scenic regions between September and November to catch hues of rusty reds, fiery oranges and bright yellows.
Forestry England has reported that this autumn could be one of the best colour displays in years, with trees expected to be as vibrant as ever, thanks to this summer’s record-breaking sunshine and warm temperatures.
GroupAccommodation.com has analysed thousands of holiday rental booking enquiries through their platform for autumn 2025 and found the counties driving demand for this end-of-year activity.
Cumbria and the Lake District has claimed third place on the list.
Ed Maughan, managing director at GroupAccommodation.com, said: “You can visit somewhere you’ve been before, say in spring, where everything is green, and have a completely different experience where the landscapes explode with warm red/orange colours. It gives a totally different atmosphere, and there is something quite magical about that!
“As a result, people are now targeting specific areas known for outstanding autumn displays. It’s become a proper reason for travel, and our internal enquiry data is showing how seriously people take this colour hunting pursuit.”
Ed has recommended the best destinations for leaf-peeping in the Lake District.
“Cumbria doesn’t just display autumn colours – it literally amplifies them in the reflections of the area’s lakes. When conditions are right, it’s absolutely unbeatable,” he said.
Originally owned by Beatrix Potter, Tarn Hows delivers a picture-perfect autumn scene with the small lake surrounded by mixed woodland. The circular walk takes just 45 minutes, making it very accessible, and offers plenty of reflection shots.
Aira Force offers drama and contrast. The woodland walk to the waterfall turns vibrant colours in autumn, creating an attractive landscape around the 65-foot drop. The sound of rushing water and the crunching of fallen leaves underfoot make it one of the most atmospheric autumn walks in the Lakes.
For more serious walkers, Grasmere to Silver How rewards the steep climb with autumnal views. The mixed oak and birch woods on the lower slopes turn yellow and orange, while bracken on the higher fells goes bronze. The 5.2-mile walk offers rewarding views of the wider Lake District landscape.
The ideal base for ‘leaf peeping’ in the Lake District, The Coppice, at Borrowdale is an Edwardian country holiday house with beautiful autumn colours right outside the door. It is also just a 10-minute walk through the colourful Manesty Woods to the shores of Derwentwater, which is magical during this season. More information, here.
