Watching wildlife in England

Whether you’re crouching in Norfolk’s wetlands in the early morning sunshine or racing along the Cornish coast on the lookout for dolphins, you’ll find England has an impressive diversity when it comes to discovering wildlife. We also have some great special offers on attractions and accommodation for you to make the most of day trips and weekends away...

North East England

Take a beautiful riverside walk in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (www.northpennines.org.uk/), through mixed woodland and traditional pasture with plenty of wildlife to be glimpsed and heard. Chesters Walled Garden, with its unique herb collections and nursery, is just a short drive away as is Housesteads Roman Fort, the most impressive fort on Hadrian’s Wall.

Autumn is particularly special, but it's well worth a visit to Northumberland National Park (www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/) at any time of the year. Look out for Skylarks and meadow pipits, and Breeding waders - before they leave for the coast.

East Midlands

You don’t have to look far to find wildlife in the East Midlands. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve (www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/) is made up of sandy and muddy seashores, sand-dunes and freshwater habitats along the Lincolnshire coast.

The Northamptonshire countryside is home to Barnwell Country Park (www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Leisure/Countryside/barnwell.htm), with its lakes, ponds, riverbank and a wealth of wildlife, and Brixworth Country Park (www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Leisure/Countryside/brixworth.htm) which has been designated a site of scientific special interest. You can also spend the day llama and donkey trekking with the Catanger Llamas (www.llamatrekking.co.uk) or savour the delights of Salcey Forest (www.enjoyengland.com/Attraction/Hartwell/Church-or-Chapel-Forest-Natural-Feature/259947/Salcey-Forest.htm).

South of Wellingborough and designed specifically for wetland wildlife, you’ll find the Summer Leys Nature Reserve (www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=113), open all year round.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is home to many nature reserves and a variety of areas ideal for spotting wildlife. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has sites across the region – Askham Bog (www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=6) in York, Spurn Point (www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=51) in Hull, Potteric Carr (www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=1) near Doncaster, North Cave Wetlands (www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=38) and Flamborough’s mighty cliffs (www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=20). These areas are great for seeing a range of animals, birds and plants in protected and thriving environments.

The RSPB also has reserves across the region – Blacktoft Sands (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/index.asp) and Bempton Cliffs (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/index.asp) in East Yorkshire, Old Moor (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/d/dearne-oldmoor/index.asp) near Barnsley and Fairburn Ings (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/fairburnings/index.asp) near Leeds; great areas to visit to learn about the birds and see them in their natural habitats.

Heart of England

The Heart of England offers a beguiling mix of unspoilt countryside, open moorland and picturesque gardens, as well as plenty of places to spot wildlife.

Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve (www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/Brandon/brandon.htm), near Coventry, is a 200-acre nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest on the banks of the River Avon. At different times you can see migrating waders, breeding warblers or year-round residents like kingfisher, coot or moorhen. 

Nearby you can find Coombe Abbey Country Park (www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-recreation/country-parks/). This Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown landscape and lake, with wildflower meadow, offers 500 acres of gardens, woodland, lakeside walks and bird watching.

South West

If you're looking for wildlife in the South West, look no further than the stunning wilds of Exmoor where you'll find deer, ponies and a wide variety of birds - you can even take a guided safari. If spotting wildlife on dry land doesn't appeal, you could always try an Orca Sea Safari (www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/ferries/orca) off the Cornish coast. Get up close to schools of dolphins, Grey seals and even Basking sharks on a high-powered boat trip from Falmouth.

London

Buzzing cosmopolitan capital city that it is, you may be surprised to discover the large areas of wetland habitat and sites of special scientific interest, and the sheer quantity of green space in and around London, not least Richmond Park with its local deer population.

Find out more about nature reserves and woodland in London

Discover the best places to walk on the wild side in London

Find out more about London’s conservation schemes

South East

Founded in 1958, Kent Wildlife Trust (www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/index.php) is the leading conservation charity for Kent and Medway. Their reserves include a range of habitats of extraordinary beauty that accommodate much endangered wildlife.

The aim of the Sussex Wildlife Trust (www.sussexwt.org.uk/index.htm) is to conserve the Sussex landscape, wildlife, and its habitats, and manages 3,500 acres of land, which include some of the finest wild places in Sussex.

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (www.wwt.org.uk/) (WWT) is a key conservation organization saving wetlands for wildlife and people across the world, with a national network of specialist wetland visitor centers. Arundel Wetland Centre has 26 hectares of naturalized landscapes and wetland habitats holding many hundreds of exotic wildfowl from around the world.