The Great British Leaf Off: Autumn Escapes On The Rise As Brits Seek Out UK’s Most Dramatic Landscapes

  • Bolderwood in the heart of the New Forest, Hampshire is crowned Britain’s favourite destination for autumn scenery in a new poll revealing the top ten UK autumn beauty spots
  • Almost three quarters of Brits (73%) are planning an autumn escape this year as American trend catches on
  • Four in five (82%) believe the UK is home to some of the world’s most beautiful autumn scenery
  • Over half of adults (58%) would rather experience autumn in the UK than travel abroad 

The North American trend of travelling to view or photograph the changing leaves is taking root on this side of the Atlantic, with new research revealing that almost three quarters (73%) of UK adults are planning a seasonal escape this year to enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves. 

Britain’s love of autumn travel is growing, with more than two in five adults (43%) saying they are more likely to plan an autumn break than they were three years ago, while autumn has overtaken every other season to become the nation’s favourite time for a UK staycation (35%).

Almost three fifths (58%) would rather experience autumn in the UK than travel abroad, according to a poll of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by Travelodge, with four in five (82%) believing the UK boasts some of the world’s most beautiful autumn colours and scenery.  

The research also highlights a growing appetite for exploring beyond the traditional tourist trail. More than four in ten (43%) would rather discover a lesser-known destination than visit a popular hotspot, suggesting autumn is becoming an increasingly important season for regional tourism.

To identify the nation’s favourite places to experience autumn, Travelodge asked Brits to vote for the UK’s top destinations for autumnal seasonal scenery.

Taking the crown was Bolderwood in the New Forest, Hampshire, famed for its woodland trails lined with sweet chestnut, oak and beech trees that turn vibrant shades of red, orange and gold each autumn.

Second place went to Loch an Eilein in the Scottish Highlands, where golden foliage surrounds a picturesque island castle, followed by Allen Banks in Northumberland, renowned for its dramatic riverside woodland walks.

Completing the top five, Coed y Brenin in Eryri (Snowdonia) and Sheffield Park & Garden in East Sussex tied in fourth place. Both were celebrated for their striking seasonal displays, with Coed y Brenin showcasing crisp mountain forest trails alongside rushing waterfalls, and Sheffield Park & Garden renowned for its fiery acers reflected in historic waterside lakes.

Britain’s Top 10 Destinations for Autumn Scenery:

  1. Bolderwood, New Forest in Hampshire (38%) 
  2. Loch an Eilein, Scottish Highlands (32%) 
  3. Allen Banks, Northumberland (26%) 
  4. Coed y Brenin, Eryri (Snowdonia) (21%)
  5. Sheffield Park & Garden, East Sussex (21%)
  6. Glen Affric, Scottish Highlands (20%) 
  7. Lanhydrock Estate, Cornwall (18%)
  8. Loughrigg Tarn and Elterwater, Cumbria (17%)
  9. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire (17%)
  10. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire (16%)

Enjoying the autumn colours and scenery tops the list of reasons for taking an autumn escape (48%), followed by the opportunity to enjoy countryside walks (38%) and fewer tourists (31%). Meanwhile, one in four (24%) also cited better value hotel prices in autumn than peak summer, making it an attractive time to travel. 

According to UK adults, the perfect autumn day includes a woodland walk (36%), a country pub lunch (20%) and a scenic drive (10%).

And Brits aren’t just soaking up the scenery, they’re capturing it too, with three quarters (75%) having taken photos specifically to capture autumn colours or scenery showing just how much the changing landscape has become part of the seasonal getaway experience.

A Travelodge spokesperson said: “It appears the North American phenomenon of travelling to view the changing colours has officially arrived in the UK, with many of us choosing to explore local autumn landscapes rather than heading abroad.

“Our research shows a real shift towards discovering hidden gems off the beaten track, making autumn an increasingly important season for regional travel.

“With more people seeking out lesser-known destinations, autumn presents a fantastic opportunity to explore parts of the UK that might otherwise be overlooked, so with 600 hotels nationwide, Travelodge offers a brilliant base for visiting Britain’s finest seasonal destinations.”

For more information on the top ten autumnal destinations, visit https://www.travelodge.co.uk/blog/news/britains-top-destinations-for-autumn-scenery/ 

Plan your next autumn adventure and find the best rates across 600 UK hotels using Travelodge’s Best Price Finder. 

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

The Travelodge Press Office

T: 01844 358 703

E: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk 

Notes to Editors

The survey of 2,000 British Adults (18+) was commissioned by Travelodge and completed in September 2026 by 3GEM.

About Travelodge 

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain’s very first budget hotel chain and today is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of 632* hotels and approximately 49,000* bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

In Spain, Travelodge has an established profitable presence and has ambitious growth plans within this market and has identified the top key locations where it would like to open additional hotels in Spain. 

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs. With over 96% of its hotels rated 4 dots or above on TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience – whether they are travelling for business or leisure. 

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base. 

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme, with over two-thirds of the room estate now featuring the new look and feel across refits and new hotels. The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Café design, 85 Bar Café, which has been rolled out to selected hotels in the UK and Spain as part of the refit programme. 

Travelodge is focusing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. Its Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive – ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring – creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and Conscious – Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates. 

For further information visit travelodge.co.uk or the Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn page. 

*as at 30 June 2026