The UK may not boast roaring lions and prowling tigers, but it still has its fair share of exciting wildlife adventures. From tracking red deer through ancient forests to watching puffins divebomb off coastal cliffs, there are many unique safaris for Brits to enjoy. Below are just some of the best destinations across the United Kingdom for animal-spotting enthusiasts.
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Let’s start by venturing up to the Scottish Highlands, where you’ll find the Cairngorms mountain range. 25 per cent of the UK’s rare and endangered species can be found in this national park. This includes elusive mammals such as red squirrels, pine martens, Scottish wildcats, mountain hares and even reindeer. It’s also a hotspot for sighting birds of prey – you can catch sight of ospreys at the Rothiemurchus estate and golden eagles in the Findhorn Valley.
Cardigan Bay, Wales
Next stop, the beautiful and breathtaking Cardigan Bay in Wales. Known for its rich marine environment, Cardigan Bay is one of the best places in the UK to spot bottlenose dolphins. Porpoises and seals are also common sights in this bay’s waters, plus you can go on a bird-watching boat trip to see red kites, choughs and kingfishers. Spring and summer are some of the best seasons to book a trip here.
Farne Islands, England
The Farne Islands is a group of rocky islands off the coast of Northumberland. Between April and August, you’ll find one of the largest colonies of puffins here in Europe. Avid birdwatchers can also catch sight of Arctic terns here and the unique eider duck. Expect to also see thousands of grey seals (visit during pupping season in winter for a chance to see hundreds of baby seals).
New Forest, England
The New Forest is home to a diverse array of wildlife (some of which often freely roam into the towns and villages in the area). Five species of deer can be sighted in this national park including fallow, roe and red deer. Head to the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary to spot these species. New Forest ponies can also be found grazing the heathlands and woodlands. These animals are technically owned by locals but are allowed to wander freely. Other animals to keep an eye out for include donkeys, cattle, pine martens and bats.
Norfolk, England
The county of Norfolk has quite a few different wildlife adventures to choose from. If you travel to Blakeney Point, you are almost guaranteed to see seals – you can plan a coastal walk here from Cley or take a boat trip from Morston Quay. The Norfolk Broads is meanwhile home to wild otters – visit the river Ant in winter and there is a high chance you will see them splashing around. Birdwatching is also popular in Hickling Broad where extremely rare birds have been captured by photographers including black-winged kites and avocets.
Bring your binoculars
Not all of the UK’s wildlife is easy to spot – many of its resident creatures flee at the sight of humans or are semi-nocturnal or are incredibly rare. However, for many wildlife enthusiasts this elusiveness makes these animals all the more thrilling to chase. Do your research to find the best seasons for wildlife spotting when visiting the above destinations.
Photo by Ben Jessop from Pexels
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