Arnside & Silverdale named 1 of England's top spots for ‘leaf-peeping’

Arnside and Silverdale ranked fifth nationwide for the vibrant US-inspired trend of “leaf-peeping,” which involves travelling to enjoy the changing colours of autumn foliage.

According to new data from cottages.com, nearly a fifth—19.04 per cent—of the area is covered in broadleaf woodland.

This places it ahead of the Lake District, which came in 33rd with just 6.07 per cent.

Belinda Vazquez, staycation expert at cottages.com, said: "The South might have more woodland on paper, but the North has its own beauty and charm when it comes to autumn colour.

"Autumn colour in the Lake District, Northumberland and the Dales is every bit as spectacular, just on a smaller scale.

"Less woodland doesn't mean less colour – it just means a different kind of walk to enjoy it.

"If you're looking for somewhere a little quieter for your leaf-peeping getaway this year, the North is worth a consideration."

Arnside and Silverdale is the only northern destination to appear in the top 10.

The rest of the list is dominated by southern landscapes such as the Surrey Hills and New Forest.

Leaf-peeping is a growing trend in the UK, with searches reaching 1,500 in September last year—a 25 per cent increase on the previous year.

In total, there were nearly 3,000 searches during the autumn season.

However, the trend remains in its early stages compared to the US, which saw a peak of 24,600 searches.

Ms Vazquez said: "Many flock to the South in the hope of end-of-season warmer temperatures, which is the wrong vibe for leaf-peeping and just drives up the visitor footfall."

The research ranked England’s regions by broadleaf woodland cover, as these trees produce the most vibrant autumn colours.