Pack away the Aperol spritzes, fold up the picnic basket and wave goodbye to pub gardens: summer is officially over in the UK. The days are shrinking, the evenings are drawing in, and those balmy afternoons are already a distant memory. But it's not all doom and gloom because this year, autumn could be an absolute showstopper.
Forestry England has made the exciting prediction that Britain's woodlands are set to burst into one of their most vibrant colour displays in years. Think fiery reds, glowing oranges, rich purples and crisp browns: the kind of autumn palette that makes even a rainy walk feel cinematic.
The science behind it? June 2025 was officially the hottest on record with abundant sunshine and below-average rainfall in many areas, according to the Met Office. Though the changes in weather patterns due to climate change pose a number of challenges, these warmer conditions help trees produce more sugars in their leaves, which transform into the bright pigments we all enjoy in autumn.
‘We’ve had a very warm and sunny summer, and that helps trees build up the sugars in their leaves that create those amazing autumn colours. The cooler nights and shorter days on the way will trigger the change, and we're expecting a really beautiful display this year,’ Andrew Smith, Director of Forestry England’s Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, said.
The best places for viewing autumn leaves in the UK
So where should you head to make the most of it? Peak autumn viewing runs from now right through to November, with some of the most dazzling displays in northern England. Grizedale Forest in the Lake District and Kielder Forest in Northumberland are tipped among the top spots.
Further afield, Thetford Forest in Norfolk is perfect for an autumn amble, Salcey Forest in Nottinghamshire will offer a riot of colours and Cardinham Woods in Cornwall is a stunning place to crunch through fallen leaves under a golden canopy.
Summer might get all the hype, but if you ask us, autumn is about to steal the show. Grab your boots, a flask, and maybe a mate of two - it's going to be a vintage year for - we never thought we'd be saying this - leaf-spotting.
The best autumn days out in London.
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