Wildlife and Nature Reserves

Wildlife and Nature Reserves

At one of our many national nature reserves you can get up close and personal with rare species of beetles, spiders and butterflies. Search for rare flowers, mosses and ferns, and spot bats, woodpeckers and even owls. Together our nature reserves represent a total area of around 94,400 hectares and encompass a huge variety of English wildlife and geology. As well as preserving some of our most pristine natural environments, the reserves offer a sublime way of experiencing our natural heritage, from coastal marshes, dunes and cliffs to lowland heaths and bogs. Get your binoculars ready!

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Be at one with birds of prey at Rosliston Forestry Centre

There’s something special about being close to a bird of prey; those round watchful eyes on high alert, fixing you with a dominating stare.

Location: Rosliston, Derbyshire

 

Small pleasures come free at Dimminsdale Nature Reserve

Just a few small snowdrops bring cheer to the colder, shorter days of England’s winter, and seen at Dimminsdale, they’re simply breathtaking.

Location: Staunton Harold, Leicestershire

 

Lunch with the deer at Bradgate Park

If you’d like a little history with your sandwiches then take your picnic to Bradgate Park.

Location: Newtown Linford, Leicestershire

 

Encounter wildlife on the UK's first boating ring

Set sail on a narrow boat trip on the historic Droitwich Canals to the River Severn and beyond, the Mid Worcestershire boating ring now offers a perfect weekend getaway.

Location: Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire

 

Discover wildlife and the history of Derwent Reservoir

Spot red squirrels, adders and bog plants at Derwent Reservoir and Pow Hill Country Park in the Durham Dales.

Location: Durham Dales

 

Spy on endangered wildfowl at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Visit Rutland Water's famous wildfowl sanctuary, covering a 1,000 acres of bird hides, mucky nature trails and interactive visitor centres.

Location: Rutland Water, Rutland

 

Take a wind-whipped voyage of discovery with RIB Request

Sit back and feel the wind fly through your hair as you speed out to sea on a RIB Request boat trip.

Location: Ramsgate, Kent

 

Family fun at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

The appeal of Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens goes way beyond its remarkable wildlife collection to breeding programmes and exuberant gardens.

Location: Burford, Oxfordshire

 

Get close to the deer at the Red Deer rut

The majestic red deer is our largest land mammal: a beautiful creature, from hoof to antler, whose iconic silhouette has captivated us for centuries.

Location: Minsmere, Suffolk

 

Go wildlife spotting at Hastings Country Park

Explore over 660 acres of countryside, and uncover the rare wildlife that inhabit the area all year round.

Location: Hastings, East Sussex

 

Get back to nature at Attenborough Nature Reserve

The tranquil waters of the beautiful Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham set the landscape for discovering and watching wildlife at its best.

Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

 

Take in magnificent views from Bempton Cliffs

Bempton’s towering chalk cliffs skyrocket to over 100 metres (109 yards) in points, with awe-inspiring views overlooking the coast of East Yorkshire.

Location: Bempton, East Yorkshire

 

Get up close with the puffins at Yorkshire Nature Triangle

Yorkshire Nature Triangle is well known among local naturalists for its rich fauna and flora but is also a hidden secret for a wider audience.

Location: Bempton, East Riding of Yorkshire

 

Dee Estuary to Hilbre Island

A two-mile walk across the sand from West Kirby, the Dee Estuary is an oasis of wildlife.

Location: Hilbre Island, Merseyside

 

Go seal and puffin spotting on the Farne Islands

Visit Farne Islands to see thousands of seabirds and a huge Grey seal colony.

Location: Farne Islands, Northumberland

 

Bird watching in St Bees

The largest seabird colony on the west coast of England is at St Bees Head.

Location: St Bees, Cumbria

 

Take a visit to Looe Island

Looe Island Nature Reserve is a haven for diverse and fascinating wildlife, from silver-washed fritillaries to grey seals.

Location: Looe, Cornwall

 

Take a walk with the wildlife in the Lake District

Keep your eyes peeled and cameras at the ready for some serious Cumbrian wildlife spotting.

Location: Lake District, Cumbria

 

Explore Romney Marsh

This patch of pristine wetland near the south east coast covers a whopping 100 square miles and is packed with wildlife – including the curious ‘laughing frogs’.

Location: Romney Marsh, Kent

 

Go otter spotting in Norfolk

When it comes to big game spotting in the Broads National Park, there is no prey more sleek, more rare and more exciting than the otter.

Location: The Broads, Norfolk

 

See nature come to life on the Somerset Levels

See the Red Arrows equivalent for starlings in stunning Somerset countryside.

Location: Somerset

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