A new study has crowned a forest in the Lake District as one of the top spots in the UK for “ultimate autumnal scenes”.
Whinlatter Forest, situated to the west of Keswick, clinched third place in a ranking of the country’s top 10 parks and forests for viewing autumn leaves.
Marbury Country Park in Cheshire was the only other location in the North West to feature on the list, securing 8th place.
The list was compiled by holiday park operator Verdant Leisure, who considered the proportion of woodland at each site and the volume of positive Tripadvisor reviews.
Whinlatter Forest, recognised as England’s sole ‘true’ mountain forest, is a mix of fir, spruce and oak trees.
Rising up to 790m, it provides stunning views over Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick, making it an ideal spot to observe the seasonal shift.
The forest is laced with walking and cycling paths, and also hosts a Go Ape Tree Top Trek, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In their commentary on Marbury Country Park, the researchers noted: “The lime avenues exude grandeur in a celebration of this historic estate, which boasts Marbury Hall, Marbury Arboretum and a 15-acre nature reserve where wildlife thrives.
“A network of accessible, surfaced paths through the Northwich Woodlands, which sits within the estate, are suitably designed for walking, cycling or horse-riding through the autumnal foliage.”
Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire, Scotland has been crowned the premier destination for witnessing the splendour of autumn leaves.
The majestic castle stands proudly on a cliff edge, surrounded by expansive estates featuring serene lakes, enclosed gardens, and deer parks.
It’s the vast woodlands, however, that truly capture the essence of the season, transforming into a fiery spectacle of colours as autumn progresses.
Travel aficionado Callam Mcloughlin from Verdant Leisure remarked: “The natural landscapes of the UK are spectacular all through the year, but when the leaves turn orange and gold in autumn these popular sights become even more special. Many people will be hoping for a last-minute getaway before the cold, winter weather closes in, and there’s plenty of time to see the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn.”
The top 10 locations in the UK for the ‘ultimate autumnal scenes’ according to Verdant Leisure
- Culzean Country Park, Ayrshire
- Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset
- Whinlatter Forest Park, Cumbria
- Box Hill, Surrey
- Kielder Forest Park, Northumberland
- Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway
- Lydford Forest, Devon
- Marbury Country Park, Cheshire
- Bradgate Park, Leicestershire
- Thorndon Country Park, Essex