LOCATIONS
Top wildlife hotspots
The finest nature reserves and wild places across England, Scotland, and Wales
????️ Cairngorms National Park
???? Scottish Highlands
Britain’s largest national park is home to unique arctic alpine wildlife. Look for red squirrels, ospreys, capercaillie, ptarmigan, and golden eagles. The Rothiemurchus forest is unmissable in spring.
????️ Skomer Island
???? Pembrokeshire, Wales
One of Europe’s most important seabird colonies. Tens of thousands of puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and Manx shearwaters nest here from May to August. Day trip boats run from Martin’s Haven.
???? The Norfolk Broads
???? Norfolk, England
England’s finest wetland habitat, rich with marsh harriers, bitterns, otters, kingfishers, and swallowtail butterflies. Hire a boat or explore RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad on foot.
???? Richmond Park
???? London, England
London’s largest Royal Park is home to 630 free-roaming red and fallow deer year-round. The October rut is spectacular and easily accessible by public transport. Also excellent for ancient trees and fungi.
???? Dartmoor National Park
???? Devon, England
Wild ponies, skylarks, peregrines, and buzzards inhabit this ancient moorland. In spring, the blanket bog transforms with cotton grass and sundew. Look for adders basking on warm rocky outcrops in May.
???? Bempton Cliffs
???? Yorkshire, England
The UK’s only mainland gannet colony. From May to August, half a million seabirds crowd the dramatic chalk cliff ledges — gannets, puffins, kittiwakes, and razorbills all visible from the clifftop path.
Planning a wildlife trip?
Each of these locations offers something unique across every season. We recommend visiting at least one wetland, one upland, and one coastal site to experience the full range of British wildlife habitats.