Visit our nature reserves

Seal lying on a shingle beach with head turned to one side, with sea in background — A seal at Blakeney Nature Reserve, Norfolk | © National Trust/Rob Coleman

We look after some of the country's most important and interesting natural habitats. Discover fascinating wildlife, rare plants and flowers in these special landscapes. Whether you're walking with the family, hiking with friends or finding a spot to sit and take it all in, these are unique places to visit for anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Blakeney Nature Reserve, Norfolk: At the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney National Nature Reserve boasts wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the coastline. It's also home to the largest seal colony in England.Visit Blakeney Nature Reserve

Bridestones, Crosscliff and Blakey Topping, Yorkshire: A 300-acre nature reserve, Bridestones is home to many animal and plant species. Look out for mosses, lichens, heathers, sundews and even adders basking in the early morning sun. On Blakey Topping you might spot the white flowers of the rare dwarf cornel.Visit Bridestones, Crosscliff and Blakey Topping

Lizard National Nature Reserve, Cornwall: Famous for its unusual plants and geology, a walk through the grassland and heathland of the Lizard National Nature Reserve is a journey worth making. Look out for wild asparagus, native heathers and many varieties of clover. Listen out for Cornish choughs and keep your eyes peeled for stonechats and peregrines as well as dragonflies, toads, adders and even lizards.Visit Lizard National Nature Reserve

Maritime heather (Erica vagans) in flower in August, and view of Kynance Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall — Maritime heather at Kynance Cove | © National Trust Images/Ross Hoddinott

Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down: Walk through woodland and on boardwalks over the dunes on the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains. Murlough National Nature Reserve possesses one of the best examples of dune heath within Ireland with over 600 species of butterflies and moths, including the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.Visit Murlough National Nature Reserve

Newtown National Nature Reserve, Hampshire: See flower-rich hay meadows and ancient woodlands, home to rare butterflies and red squirrels, at Newtown National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. Enjoy views over salt marshes and the clear waters of the harbour, alive with sea birds. You can also explore from the water and look out for the plentiful wetland wildlife.Visit Newtown National Nature Reserve

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk: Orford Ness National Nature Reserve is an internationally important site for nature conservation. Breeding and migrating birds, specialised plants and other wildlife flourish in a rich mosaic of coastal habitats, including vegetated shingle, brackish lagoons, reed marshes and mud flats.Visit Orford Ness National Nature Reserve

Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, Cumbria: An unusual sandy estuary in the Lake District with panoramic views of the mountains. The dune grasslands are home to rare plants such as the dune helleborine as well as one fifth of the national population of natterjack toads.Visit Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve

Grassy dune with wide sand beach in background and dark clouds in the sky at Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, Lake District — The dune grasslands at Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire: Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is the oldest nature reserve in our care. Take a stroll through this rare landscape made up of lush grasses, peaceful waters, reedbeds and flowering meadows. These wetlands are home to thousands of plants and animals. Look out for Konik ponies, water voles and hen harriers.Visit Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

Lundy, Devon: Lundy Island sits at a crossroads for migrating birds. Gulls, Manx shearwaters and auks (including a sizeable puffin population) can be found nesting here in the spring and summer. The island is also a Marine Conservation Zone, owing to an abundance of rare seaweeds, coral and sponges on the surrounding seabed.Visit Lundy