Places to visit for wildlife

Box Hill, Surrey

Named for the rare box trees growing on its slopes, Box Hill is one of the best-known summits of the North Downs. It is a place to enjoy the open air and watch an abundance of wildlife, a stone's throw from London.

Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire

With orchards and woodland, meadows and pools, the diversity at timeless Brockhampton is certainly great with an array of wildlife.  Local community involvement is also encouraged here, through sculptures integrated into the natural surroundings, and through the food sold.

Cubert, Cornwall

The beautiful wildflowers at Cubert, particularly in summer, are just one reason to visit this stunning stretch of coastland.  Its fauna vary from grey seals to buzzards to fritillary butterflies.

Brownsea Island, Dorset

Peaceful Brownsea Island supports one of the few remaining red squirrel colonies in the UK. Few other locations can boast such a rich wealth of wildlife and habitats over such a small area.

Harting Down, South Downs

Dark yew woods, spectacular views and secluded valleys will greet you on a visit to the slopes of Harting Down.  Nationally recognised for wildlife, this part of the South Downs boasts a wealth of creatures and some interesting snippets of history.

	Wildlife highlights: many and rare invertebrates like the cheese snail, grizzled skipper butterflies and glow worms pondlife: from frogs to dragonflies fighting fallow deer and dancing adders juniper bushes and buttery-yellow cowslips singing nightingales and skylarks

Farne Islands, Northumberland

This rocky cluster of islands off the Northumbrian coast is one of Britain's most important seabird sanctuaries. It is also home to a large colony of Atlantic grey seals.

	Wildlife highlights: puffins guillemots four species of tern Atlantic grey seals borage Amsinckia lycopodioides, unique to the Farnes

Strangford Lough, Co Down

One of Europe’s most important wildlife sites, the Lough is home to vast flocks of wintering wildfowl and nesting birds. Seals, otters and other marine animals can also be seen, as well as interesting flowers.

	Wildlife highlights: large numbers of ducks, geese, swans and waders over-wintering terns common seals porpoises otters

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

England's first Nature Reserve, Wicken Fen is internationally important. It represents a surviving fragment of the once extensive fenland habitat in Britain and is part of an exciting 100 year fenland restoration plan for the area.

	Wildlife highlights: bitterns bearded tits marsh harriers grass snakes many species of dragonfly and damselfly early marsh & southern marsh orchids