Wouldn't attempt to give any sort of advice above what's been said, though I'm wondering if your garden is a 'new build', I've noticed many lawns grass areas, including mine, looks like yours. If it is on a 'new build' then it's possible the area previously was either pasture or derelict land, and I'd suggest that your problem (also like mine) could be leatherjackets, the pupae of crane flies. In my case heavy clay and the recent heavy rain has made the situation worse. Just something to be alert about.
Without knowing how the area was prepared before turfing, and also how the new lawn was cared for in what was a very difficult summer, it’s impossible to say what the basic cause was … sorry.
If you have a garden fork @nathalielees, try pushing it well into the ground in a few areas. That's the method for spiking/aerating as already suggested. If it goes in and out easily, the drainage probably isn't too bad, but if it's hard to push in, it suggests it's compacted. That often goes hand in hand with clay soil, which is hard during drier/hotter spells, and soggy in wet weather, and over winter, and therefore drainage is poor. That's where the proper prep comes in. It looks damp rather than dry and sandy/free draining though. Large trees often soak up a lot of water as well as creating shade, so you can get a combination of problems. As @Dovefromabove says though, it's not possible to be accurate as we can't see it in person.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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No need to scalp, there is plenty of soil to seed into. But look for the basic cause first. Good preparation is the secret of a good lawn.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If it goes in and out easily, the drainage probably isn't too bad, but if it's hard to push in, it suggests it's compacted. That often goes hand in hand with clay soil, which is hard during drier/hotter spells, and soggy in wet weather, and over winter, and therefore drainage is poor. That's where the proper prep comes in. It looks damp rather than dry and sandy/free draining though.
Large trees often soak up a lot of water as well as creating shade, so you can get a combination of problems.
As @Dovefromabove says though, it's not possible to be accurate as we can't see it in person.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Asking a real, local person is usually better than remote chatterers.
I would start a soil investigation by digging a 2 spit deep hole (perhaps several) and seeing what is down there.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
But I suppose it keeps some of you folk busy