Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism Launches “Leaf Peeping Guide”

With the leaves beginning to turn we have been working with Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism on a destination campaign for autumn aiming to lure more visitors to the area with a new Leaf Peeping Guide and dedicated Leaf Peeping Drive in the hopes that it will become the Leaf Peeping Capital of the UK.

The region, which encompasses the three counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, is well known for its annual symphony of colour, with over 20 million trees of mixed species spread over its 200 square miles. Our mission is to highlight this, tapping into the ‘Leaf Peeping’ trend so popular in North America.

We are encouraging local businesses to give an autumnal twist to their experiences and activities to give a big welcome to Leaf Peepers. We’ve even got our very own Chief Leaf Peeper, an expert on trees, to help put together the region’s hotspots, from Symmonds Yat to Eagle’s Nest, all featured in the guide. He also keeps our leafy language on point ! Our guide has its own downloadable map and is bursting with Leaf Peeping experiences, including everything from foraging and forest bathing to photography, pottery and painting.

The 50-mile Leaf Peeping Drive offers visitors the very best chance to experience the region’s autumn colour, showing how its foliage can rival even that of New England and Japan where Leaf Peepers from around the world flock to in their thousands each year. We think it is the first Leaf Peeping Drive in the UK, if not the world. And come evening, visitors can overnight in one of the region’s Leafy Escapes (from cosy cottages to hotels and B&Bs). One cottage owner has even renamed her accommodation Leaf Peepers Cottages.

To see the new Leaf Peeping Guide in detail, visit www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/leafpeeperswelcome