Best Places to See Autumn Colours in the Lake District
Autumn changes the Lake District completely. Woodlands turn gold and copper, the fells take on deeper colours, and the lakes reflect a landscape that can look different from one day to the next.
If you're planning an autumn break in the Lake District, you don't need to climb the highest fells to enjoy it either. Some of the best autumn colours can be found around lakeshores, valleys, woodland trails and scenic drives.
From Borrowdale and Buttermere to Derwentwater and Grizedale Forest, here are some of the best places to experience the Lake District in autumn.
1. Borrowdale
We might be slightly biased, but Borrowdale in autumn takes some beating.
The valley stretches south from Derwent Water towards Seatoller and Seathwaite, with woodland, traditional stone walls, rivers and mountains all packed into a relatively small area.
What makes Borrowdale particularly interesting in autumn is its woodland. The valley contains internationally important ancient Atlantic oak woodland, rich in mosses, lichens and other wildlife. In autumn, the changing leaves add another layer of colour to an already dramatic landscape.
You don't have to plan a huge hike to enjoy it. A drive through the valley, a woodland walk or a stop around Rosthwaite and Seatoller can give you plenty of opportunities to see the autumn scenery.
And if the weather turns chilly, being close to a warm pub isn't such a bad thing either.
Yew Tree tip: If you're exploring Borrowdale, stop in Seatoller for lunch, dinner or a drink at The Yew Tree.
2. Derwentwater
Just outside Keswick, Derwentwater is another excellent place for autumn colour.
Woodland runs around sections of the lake, while the surrounding fells provide a dramatic backdrop. On a still day, autumn colours reflected in the water make it particularly photogenic.
There are plenty of ways to experience it without committing to the full circuit of the lake. You can take a shorter lakeside walk, explore the woodland or simply find a viewpoint and spend some time enjoying the scenery.
Friars Crag is one of the best-known viewpoints close to Keswick, looking south across the lake towards the entrance to Borrowdale. The National Trust also highlights Great Wood, Brandlehow Park and the Derwent Water foreshore among the area's places to explore.
If you're staying in Keswick, Derwentwater is an easy place to include in an autumn day out before continuing south into Borrowdale.
3. Buttermere
Buttermere is spectacular throughout the year, but autumn brings something different.
The combination of lake, woodland and steep surrounding fells means you get several layers of seasonal colour in one landscape.
A walk around the lake is one way to experience it, but you don't necessarily need to complete the whole route. Even a shorter walk can provide plenty of views across the water and towards the surrounding mountains.
If you're combining Buttermere with Borrowdale, the road over Honister Pass connects the two valleys.
That journey also gives you one of the great contrasts of an autumn Lake District trip: the softer colours of the wooded valleys giving way to the more rugged mountain landscape higher on the pass.
Read our guide where to eat near Buttermere
4. Great Wood and Ashness Bridge
If you're looking for autumn scenery close to Keswick, the eastern side of Derwentwater deserves some time of its own.
Great Wood is an ancient woodland on the slopes above Derwent Water. From here, you can explore woodland paths or combine your visit with nearby Ashness Bridge.
Ashness Bridge is one of the Lake District's best-known viewpoints, with the traditional packhorse bridge sitting against a backdrop of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. The National Trust describes it as perhaps the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lake District.
In autumn, the woodland adds extra colour to an already classic Lake District scene.
For walkers wanting something longer, the National Trust also has a moderate 4.5-mile Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge route, starting from Great Wood.
5. Grizedale Forest
For a day centred firmly around trees and woodland, head to Grizedale Forest.
Set between Windermere and Coniston, Grizedale has a network of forest trails surrounded by Lake District scenery.
Forestry England specifically highlights Grizedale as an autumn destination, describing the seasonal landscape as a patchwork of colour across the surrounding forest, lakes and mountains.
It's a good choice if your idea of an autumn day is less about reaching a summit and more about spending a few hours among the trees.
The forest also gives you options for different abilities, so you can choose how energetic you want the day to be.
6. Whinlatter Forest
Just west of Keswick, Whinlatter Forest gives you a very different woodland experience.
The forest covers a large upland landscape around Whinlatter Pass, with a mixture of forest and open fell surrounded by mountains. Forestry England records the site at more than 1,200 hectares, with Whinlatter sitting around the landscape of Grisedale Pike and Lord's Seat.
Because of the mix of evergreen forest, changing vegetation and distant mountain views, autumn here isn't simply about finding the brightest red tree.
It's about the contrast between the forest and the wider landscape.
Whinlatter is also only around 5km west of Keswick, making it relatively easy to include if you're staying in or around the town.
7. Ullswater
If your autumn Lake District trip takes you further east, Ullswater is well worth adding to the itinerary.
The lake is surrounded by woodland and fells, creating plenty of opportunities to see seasonal colours against the water.
Rather than trying to fit everything into one visit, choose a section of the lake and explore it properly. An autumn road trip through the area can be just as enjoyable as a long walk, particularly when the weather is changeable.
It's also a reminder that autumn colour in the Lake District isn't confined to one forest or valley. Part of the appeal is watching the landscape change as you travel between different parts of the National Park.
When is the best time to see autumn colours in the Lake District?
There isn't one guaranteed date when the whole Lake District suddenly reaches peak autumn colour.
Weather, elevation, tree species and location all affect when leaves change, so conditions can vary between valleys and from year to year.
As a general guide, October is a particularly good month to look for autumn colour in the Lake District, with displays often continuing into later autumn depending on conditions.
Forestry England has previously indicated that northern English forests such as Grizedale tend to reach their strongest displays later than forests further south, around early to mid-October, although the exact timing varies each year.
If autumn colour is the main reason for your trip, check current local conditions closer to your visit rather than relying on an exact date.
What should you bring for an autumn day in the Lake District?
Autumn in the Lakes can mean sunshine, rain, wind and chilly temperatures – sometimes remarkably close together.
Wear sturdy footwear if you're planning to walk and bring waterproofs and warm layers. Daylight hours also become noticeably shorter as autumn progresses, so plan longer walks carefully and allow enough time to finish before dark.
If you're driving between locations, check weather and road conditions too, particularly before travelling over higher routes such as Honister Pass. And don't try to squeeze seven places into one day. Pick one or two areas and give yourself time to actually enjoy them.
Make Borrowdale part of your autumn Lake District trip
If you're visiting Keswick, Buttermere or Derwentwater this autumn, Borrowdale is well worth adding to your route.
The drive south from Keswick follows Derwentwater before continuing through the Borrowdale Valley towards Rosthwaite and Seatoller. From Seatoller, the road climbs towards Honister Pass and eventually drops into the Buttermere Valley. The National Trust confirms the B5289 as the road running through Borrowdale and over Honister Pass towards Buttermere.
That makes it possible to combine several very different Lake District landscapes in the same day.
And when you're ready to come in from the autumn weather, you'll find The Yew Tree in Seatoller, right in the Borrowdale Valley.
Stop for some food, enjoy a drink and warm up before deciding where the road takes you next.
Autumn in the Lake District: FAQs
Where is the best place to see autumn colours in the Lake District?
There isn't one single best location, but Borrowdale, Derwentwater, Buttermere, Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter Forest are all excellent choices. Woodland areas are particularly good if autumn colour is your priority.
When do the leaves change colour in the Lake District?
Autumn colours generally develop through September and October, although the timing varies depending on weather, elevation and tree species. October is usually a good month to plan an autumn-colour visit, but it's worth checking local conditions before travelling.
Is October a good time to visit the Lake District?
Yes. October can bring beautiful autumn colours, quieter periods outside peak dates and dramatic seasonal scenery. The trade-off is more changeable weather and shorter daylight hours, so come prepared.
Where can I see autumn colours near Keswick?
Derwentwater, Great Wood, Borrowdale and Whinlatter Forest are all within easy reach of Keswick and provide different autumn landscapes, from lakeside scenery to woodland and mountain views.
Is Borrowdale worth visiting in autumn?
Yes. Borrowdale combines ancient woodland, rivers, traditional Lake District scenery and surrounding fells. Its woodland makes autumn a particularly attractive time to explore the valley.
Where can I eat when visiting Borrowdale in autumn?
The Yew Tree in Seatoller is located in the Borrowdale Valley, making it a convenient place to stop for food and drinks when exploring Borrowdale, Honister Pass and the surrounding area.
