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    Layout/formatting imageClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesBox Hill, SurreyClear image used for layout purposes
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    Layout/formatting imageClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesBrownsea Island, DorsetClear image used for layout purposes
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    Layout/formatting imageClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesFarne Islands, NorthumberlandClear image used for layout purposes
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    Layout/formatting imageClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesStrangford Lough, Co DownClear image used for layout purposes
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    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.

    Adonis blue butterfly

    Wildlife highlights:

    • ancient box trees
    • birds including kingfishers and woodpeckers
    • butterflies and beetles
    • orchids and other wild flowers

    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.

    Close view of a tree laden with ripening damsons at Hill House Farm on the Brockhampton Estate - Paul Harris

    Download a Wildlife Walk Sheet to help you explore the estate

    Wildlife highlights:

    • Orchards and ancient broad-leaved woodland
    • Invertebrates and fungi live in the dead wood
    • birds including woodpeckers, buzzards and ravens
    • deer, bats and grass snakes

    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.

    The delightful and secluded beach of Holywell Bay. A gentle surf breaks in a white foam over the sand

    Download a Wildlife Walk Sheet to help you explore the estate

    Wildlife highlights:

    • sand dunes support invertebrates like the striped-wing grasshopper
    • orchids, sea holly and carline thistle
    • stoats chasing rabbits
    • seed-eating birds such as corn bunting and snow bunting in winter

    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.

    Brownsea Island, Dorset

    Wildlife highlights:

    • red squirrels
    • sika deer
    • many species of wader and duck
    • dragonflies and damselflies
    • the scarce bird's nest orchid

    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.

    Head of a female Adder (Vipera berus)

    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.

    A tern perchs on a warden's hat in the Farne Islands

    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.

    Common seal at Strangford Lough, Co Down

    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.

    Wicken Fen

    Wildlife highlights:

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

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    Looking for wildlife at a National Trust property
    © NTPL / Jennie Woodcock
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