The UK is full of amazing places to visit, whether you are on the hunt for fantastic walking trails, are a lover of history and architecture, or you just need a beautiful beach to relax. But what is there for nature lovers, or for people who wish to gain an insight into the UK bird life?
Bird watching is an activity many people love, and beautiful birds can to be found in most UK back gardens. Observing robins or blue tits from the comfort of your home can be the start of a love for bird life, which can eventually grow into a wonderful hobby introducing you to new or different places to visit.
If you are considering becoming a “twitcher,” Feet Do Travel share some of the best places in the UK to go bird-watching.
Bird watching is an activity many people love, and beautiful birds can to be found in most UK back gardens. Observing robins or blue tits from the comfort of your home can be the start of a love for bird life, which can eventually grow into a wonderful hobby introducing you to new or different places to visit.
If you are considering becoming a “twitcher,” Feet Do Travel share some of the best places in the UK to go bird-watching.
Spot razorbills in South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve, Anglesey, North Wales
Anglesey, North Wales
Anglesey is located in the northerly part of Wales, and has a great landscape with a number of RSPB-managed sites. Grab your binoculars and head to the South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve where you can see a variety of puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk
This 1,000-acre reserve is home to some of the rarest bird species, including bearded tits and marsh harriers. The best time to visit is during the summer months because the UK is blessed with long daylight hours. If you are lucky to hear the nightingales burst into their beautiful birdsong, it is truly an amazing experience.
The Lake District, Cumbria
There is an amazing collection of species in the Lake District, but it’s also a beautiful holiday destination to boot! You can venture around the ancient woodland and find woodpeckers, peregrine falcons, and mistle thrush. Take a visit to the Wild Boar Hotel which has a bird sanctuary on its 7-acre estate.
Anglesey is located in the northerly part of Wales, and has a great landscape with a number of RSPB-managed sites. Grab your binoculars and head to the South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve where you can see a variety of puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk
This 1,000-acre reserve is home to some of the rarest bird species, including bearded tits and marsh harriers. The best time to visit is during the summer months because the UK is blessed with long daylight hours. If you are lucky to hear the nightingales burst into their beautiful birdsong, it is truly an amazing experience.
The Lake District, Cumbria
There is an amazing collection of species in the Lake District, but it’s also a beautiful holiday destination to boot! You can venture around the ancient woodland and find woodpeckers, peregrine falcons, and mistle thrush. Take a visit to the Wild Boar Hotel which has a bird sanctuary on its 7-acre estate.
Puffins can be viewed in many UK locations, including Rathlin Island and Farn Islands
Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Rathlin Island in County Antrim, Northern Ireland is one of the rare spots you will find the majestic puffin. Puffins prefer to nest on uninhabited islands, and Rathlin has such a small population, so you can easily put your binoculars down for a few days to view black guillemots and the red-billed chough up close and personal.
Farne Islands, Northumberland
Fame Islands in Northumberland is mostly uninhabited, which makes it an amazing place to spot a wide variety of seabirds. Recommended by none other than Sir David Attenborough as his favourite place in Britain for experiencing nature, between the months of May and July you can spot puffins, eider ducks, and Arctic terns. There are also a number of boat trips providing bird-watching expeditions for budding ornithologists.
Brownsea Island, Dorset
On Brownsea Island, Dorset, there are a number of birds of prey in addition to wading birds. You can find peregrine falcons or hen harriers, however one of the most vibrant and colourful finds here is the peacock.
Rathlin Island in County Antrim, Northern Ireland is one of the rare spots you will find the majestic puffin. Puffins prefer to nest on uninhabited islands, and Rathlin has such a small population, so you can easily put your binoculars down for a few days to view black guillemots and the red-billed chough up close and personal.
Farne Islands, Northumberland
Fame Islands in Northumberland is mostly uninhabited, which makes it an amazing place to spot a wide variety of seabirds. Recommended by none other than Sir David Attenborough as his favourite place in Britain for experiencing nature, between the months of May and July you can spot puffins, eider ducks, and Arctic terns. There are also a number of boat trips providing bird-watching expeditions for budding ornithologists.
Brownsea Island, Dorset
On Brownsea Island, Dorset, there are a number of birds of prey in addition to wading birds. You can find peregrine falcons or hen harriers, however one of the most vibrant and colourful finds here is the peacock.
The gorgeous Bewick's Swans can be found at Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire
Slimbridge WWT Centre, Gloucestershire
Opened in November 1946, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is the original and the best, and has something for everyone to enjoy. Between November and March look out for geese, ducks, and the famous Bewick’s swans. For history lovers, located nearby is Thornbury Castle which was once owned by Henry VIII.
The New Forest, Hampshire
Home to the Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserves, in The New Forest Hampshire you can spot a wide variety of black-tailed godwits, dunlins, nightjars, linnets, and stone chats. This is a great spot for twitchers because of its diverse landscape; you would be hard pushed to find a spot with so many different species of bird.
The Cairngorms, Scotland
Considered one of the best birdwatching spots in the UK because of its ancient pine forests, The Cairngorms in Scotland is home to grey-footed woodpeckers, siskins, and the largest species of grouse: the capercaillies.
Opened in November 1946, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is the original and the best, and has something for everyone to enjoy. Between November and March look out for geese, ducks, and the famous Bewick’s swans. For history lovers, located nearby is Thornbury Castle which was once owned by Henry VIII.
The New Forest, Hampshire
Home to the Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserves, in The New Forest Hampshire you can spot a wide variety of black-tailed godwits, dunlins, nightjars, linnets, and stone chats. This is a great spot for twitchers because of its diverse landscape; you would be hard pushed to find a spot with so many different species of bird.
The Cairngorms, Scotland
Considered one of the best birdwatching spots in the UK because of its ancient pine forests, The Cairngorms in Scotland is home to grey-footed woodpeckers, siskins, and the largest species of grouse: the capercaillies.
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