Discover wildlife on England’s waterways
This autumn discover the wonderful wildlife that surrounds the English waterside. Why not soak up the delights with a short break along the Lincolnshire coastline or spend the day marvelling at the wonderful birds and creatures thriving by England’s rivers, lakes and canals? We have come up with a selection of exciting ideas to suit all the family.
Watery wildlife on your doorstep
England’s canals and rivers reach into the heart of most large towns and cities, bringing an often unique cross-section of the countryside right to urban doorsteps. So there’s no need to travel far from home to spot moorhens, kingfishers and herons attracted to the wealth of fish on offer. And you’ll be in with a good chance of seeing some endangered species such as badgers, otters, water voles and bats.
More on canals and rivers
Northumberland bird watching
Discover the delights of Kielder Water. Tucked away at the top of Northumberland, beautiful Kielder Water is the largest man-made lake in Europe and home to many squirrels, deer and rare birds, and one of Britain's biggest nature resorts. Whilst enjoying your short break take the opportunity to visit Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre (www.discoverit.co.uk/falconry/). The centre houses many owls, hawks and other birds of prey, and there are daily flying displays and a chance to handle the birds.
More about Northumberland
Discover the Broads
Spend the day at Norfolk Broads Wildlife Centre and discover how the Broads were created, their past uses and the present day pressures on their conservation. The centre is a floating thatched building complete with excellent views across the Broad, with binoculars and telescopes positioned at the upper windows for bird watching. You can also enjoy a fascinating walk through woodland, reedbed and open water - keep an eye out for the splendid swallowtail butterfly, and dragonflies in dazzling shades of blue, red and emerald.
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Birmingham the heart of the action
Take a short break in Birmingham, a waterside city with a rich industrial heritage and a thoroughly modern attitude. If you love the sea then come face-to-face with sharks in the world’s first transparent 360-degree submarine tunnel at the National Sea Life Centre, including a special unit for breeding and rearing a range of seahorses. In the evening, sit back and unwind at the Bank restaurant, overlooking the 19th century canal and the picturesque square.
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London Wetland Centre
The award-winning London Wetland Centre is the first project of its kind in the world, boasting more than 40 hectares of created wetlands in the heart of a capital city. The London Wetland Centre offers hundreds of thousands of visitors the chance to see rare and beautiful wetland wildlife just a stone's throw from central London. Join the “Explainers” in their quest for knowledge looking at different species of birds, or try the Great Pond Safari and discover what amazing mini beasts can be found in the ponds.
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Lincolnshire sea breezes
Taste the tang of the salty air along Lincolnshire’s 50 miles of coastline and prepare for a surprise. Beneath the wide-open skies of Gibraltar Point white-capped breakers lap ashore and seabirds wheel and cry overhead. Pack the binoculars and spot great varieties of birds at the RSPB Freiston Shore nature reserve and the estuary at The Boston Wash Banks. Otherwise, discover special wildlife habitats throughout the intricate waterways of the Lincolnshire Fens.
More about Lincolnshire
Explore the coast
Discover a rugged coastline where dinosaurs have left their footprints along Devon and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Hunt for fossils in Lyme Regis, or pick up part of the South West Coast Path, following the jagged coastline from Poole, Dorset, round the edge of Devon and Cornwall to Minehead, Somerset.
More about coastal England