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The Lake District in autumn is the version of the Lakes that most surprises people who visit for the first time in summer. The fells in July and August are various shades of green. The fells in October are copper and gold and deep crimson, the bracken turning first and fastest, the deciduous woodland on the valley sides following week by week through the autumn.
The best autumn colour in the Lake District is reliably good and the timing is reliably predictable. This guide tells you when it happens, where to see it and what to expect.
The colour change in the Lake District happens in two stages.
The fells — the bracken on the open fellsides above the treeline turns first, beginning in late September. By mid-October the upper fells are typically deep orange and copper, with the colour intensifying as the season progresses. The bracken is at its best in the second and third weeks of October. By late October and early November it is fading towards brown and the effect is less vibrant.
The woodlands — the deciduous woodland on the valley sides and around the lakes turns later, typically through October, with the peak varying by species. Oak and birch turn golden; rowan turns red and orange; ash turns yellow. The woodland colour typically peaks in late October, slightly later than the bracken on the fells above.
The combination — copper fells above, golden woodland below — is at its finest in the third week of October in most years. This varies with temperature and rainfall; an early frost can accelerate the change and an extended warm autumn can delay it.
Borrowdale — the woodland on the valley sides of Borrowdale is among the finest in the Lake District for autumn colour. The mix of ancient sessile oak, birch and rowan turns multiple shades simultaneously, and the reflection in the River Derwent adds another dimension.
Ullswater — the woodland on both shores of Ullswater, particularly around Gowbarrow Park on the western shore, is exceptional in October. The Ullswater Steamers are running through most of October and the view of the autumn woodland from the lake is one of the finest experiences available in the Lake District.
Tarn Hows — the mixed woodland around Tarn Hows turns well and the reflections of the autumn colour in the tarn are consistent with the best on offer in the Lakes.
Grasmere and Rydal Water — the woodland on the shores of both lakes, along the path known as the Coffin Road and the lower slopes of Silver Howe, is reliably good. The proximity of Dove Cottage and Wordsworth's associations with these lakes in autumn give the colour a literary dimension.
The Kirkstone descent — the fellsides on the northern descent from the Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale are among the finest bracken colour locations in the Lakes, and the view of Brothers Water through the copper fells is one of the images that defines Lake District autumn.
Our tours operate throughout October and it is consistently one of the most requested months. The combination of autumn colour, shorter queues at the most popular sites, September-level visitor numbers (down significantly from August) and the particular quality of October light makes it an exceptional time to visit.
The 8 Lakes and The 10 Lakes Full-day Tour tours cover the Kirkstone Pass descent, Borrowdale and — on the 10 Lakes Full-day Tour — the Ullswater steamer cruise. The Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth tours cover Tarn Hows, Near Sawrey woodland and the Grasmere/Rydal Water section. All are best in the third week of October.
All our tours operate through October. See the full tour range and book here.