Autumn is undoubtedly the most beautiful season of all. When the leaves start to change colour and fall, it creates breathtaking warm scenery that looks even better when you’re out in nature. Thankfully, here in the UK we have plenty of opportunities to do just that, including several gorgeous national parks.
And one of these has officially been crowned as the most picturesque in the entire world. The Lake District topped the rankings, according to the experts at Travelbag, beating out the likes of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite in the United States.
They analysed 98 national parks all around the world, ranking them using a combined score based on both Instagram hashtags and TikTok posts to unveil where you should travel next. The Lake District in Cumbria came out on top, with a whopping 4.6 million hashtage on Instagram and more than 247k posts on TikTok.
With so many quaint villages to discover here, as well as beautiful forests and tranquil waters, it’s the perfect place to spend a long weekend this autumn. Here are five of the sights you must see when visiting the Lake District.
1. Visit Lake Windermere
Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in the whole of England, and it’s right here in the Lake District. It stretches out for about 10.5 miles, and it’s surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands, and picturesque villages like Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.
The lake is a popular destination for boating, kayaking, and scenic cruises, offering stunning views of the hills that surround it. It’s a popular spot, but now that the summer crowds have quietened down, autumn is the perfect time to visit. Thanks to the changing scenery, it’s arguably even more beautiful too.
(Image: Getty)
2. Climb Scafell Pike
England’s highest mountain at 978m tall, Scafell Pike is located in the Southern Fells of the Lake District. Even now that autumn has rolled in, it’s still safe to climb depending on the weather and your overall experience.
The experts at Climb Scafell Pike said: “If you love autumnal colours, there are few better places to be in September and October than the Lake District and Scafell Pike. It is one of our favourite times of the year and a great option for avoiding the crowds.
“Like spring, the weather is more unpredictable and you always need one eye on the weather forecast.”
(Image: Getty)
3. Whinlatter Forest
As well as the lakes themslevs, the Lake District is also home to some breathtaking forests such as Whinlatter. It’s the only true mountain forest in England, with so much gorgeous scenery to discover – especially in autumn.
Amongst the trees, you’ll find plenty of walking and biking trails, as well as beautiful views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick.
And if you really want to immerse yourself in nature, you can actually stay right in the heart of the forest. From luxury cabins to off-grid experiences, it’s the perfect place to really switch off and lose yourself in the scenery – especially at night, when the skies are dark enough to do some stargazing.
(Image: Getty)
4. Explore the town of Keswick
The beauty of the Lake District doesn’t just lie in the waters and the mountains – there are so many gorgeous towns and villages too, one of which is Keswick. This town lies on the banks of Derwentwanter under the shadow of the Skiddaw mountain, so you’ll definitely be able to snap some lovely autumnal pics – but it’s also a great place to just wander around.
On its quaint streets you’ll find plenty of independent shops and eateries, as well as art galleries and museums, churches and even a theatre.
There’s also a market every Thursday and Saturday in the town, so it’s worth a visit if you want to get your hands on some unique gifts and mementoes.
(Image: Getty)
