Where to See the UK’s Most Incredible Wildlife in Their Natural Habitat

Britons are being urged to explore seven UK locations where some of the country’s rarest and most unique wildlife thrive in their natural habitat. 

Ecologists from Arbtech.co.uk have highlighted top spots across England, Scotland, and Wales including coastal sites, National Parks, and expansive moorland. 

From islands declared as Sir David Attenborough’s favourite place to witness nature, to puffin-filled cliffs, these UK locations offer some of the best wildlife experiences in Europe. 

Cairngorms National Park is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species, and successful re-introduction programmes have made red squirrel sightings a common sight at Plas Newydd on the Isle of Anglesey. *

Each spring, the Northumberland and Yorkshire coastlines play host to internationally renowned seabird spectacles, whilst a winter trip to Norfolk provides one of the UK’s best wildlife encounters as thousands of seal pups are born.

Despite ongoing biodiversity loss in the UK – where there has been a 19% decline in wildlife populations since 1970 – these locations offer a rare chance to witness nature at its most spectacular, showing how conservation work and protecting the UK’s wildlife matters more than ever. **

A recent Arbtech survey found 89% of Brits are concerned about the decline of UK wildlife, yet one in three admit they take no action to support or protect local species.

A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “We want to put the spotlight on these incredible wildlife spots to showcase just how important conservation projects are, and how nature can thrive in this country when it’s protected. 

“Our survey shows that the majority of Brits do care about the decline of wildlife, but many may not know what they can do to help. Supporting local conservation efforts or even making small changes at home can make a real difference.

“Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a powerful reminder of what we have to lose if we don’t act now, and could inspire people to take steps to protect species for future generations.”

Seven must-visit wildlife locations across the UK:

Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

This diverse landscape is home to a rich variety of habitats for wildlife including many endangered, unique, and rare species – with the Cairngorms being home to 25% of the UK’s rare and endangered species. There are nine National Nature Reserves across the park, and the array of wildlife species you may be able to see include ospreys, the Scottish wildcat, golden eagle, red squirrel, snow bunting, crested tit, dotterel, and black grouse.

Farne Islands, Northumberland

The Farne Islands were declared by Sir David Attenborough as his favourite place to see wildlife in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why. The archipelago is home to an internationally significant breeding colony of seabirds and Atlantic grey seals, and you can catch a boat from the harbour at Seahouses and sail around the Farne Islands to get a close look from the water at the thousands of birds and seals that come here to breed each year. Visiting between mid-April and late July is best for seabird spectacles. 

Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

This RSPB nature reserve is home to the UK’s largest seabird colony, with around half a million seabirds gathering here between March and August each year to raise a family on the towering chalk cliffs overlooking the North Sea. Puffins, gannets, kittiwakes and guillemots are amongst the seabirds you may spot at this popular location. 

Blakeney Point, Norfolk

Blakeney Point is a four-mile shingle ridge and dune, backed by salt marsh and mudflats. It’s also home to England’s largest grey seal colony with around 9,000 pups born each winter. Noted for its spectacular displays of the summer-breeding tern colony, it’s internationally recognised as an important breeding area for sea birds and a wide variety of other birdlife, thanks to approximately 160 hectares of freshwater grazing marsh.

Isle of Anglesey, Wales

Wildlife is in abundance on the Isle of Anglesey. South Stack cliffs are a vital breeding ground for guillemots, razorbills and puffins in spring. Cemlyn Nature Reserve is best visited from May through to July when it plays host to the nesting colonies of sandwich, common and Arctic terns. And following successful re-introduction programmes, red squirrels are now common to see at Plas Newydd. 

Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales

Pembrokeshire has an array of wildlife including rare birds such as choughs, skylarks and the stonechat. 12 of the UK’s bat species can be found here, and thanks to a nutrient-rich ocean, sightings of porpoises, dolphins, minke whales and fin whales can be common. And while sightings are less common, you may even get the chance to see exotic wildlife such as leatherback turtles, sunfish, basking sharks, blue sharks, and mako sharks.

Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Dartmoor National Park is home to many rare or endangered plant and animal species. On the upland moors you can find ground-nesting birds such as curlew, plovers, snipe and skylarks, with the park also known as a popular habitat for rarer species like cuckoos and ring ouzels. Large populations of the UK’s only venomous snake, adders, can be found most active between March and October, while Dartmoor ponies can be found throughout the park, with summer being the best time to spot the iconic breed out grazing in open areas of the moor.

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