UK Wildlife Gems: Where To Go For Your Next Nature Fix

The Great British landscape is famous throughout the world for its rolling hills, rugged coastlines and luscious forests. But as with everything in life, when you’re surrounded by the same views, you can start to take them for granted and get stuck in a bit of a rut. Certainly, if you live in one of the UK’s bustling towns or cities - as so many of us do - then getting out and enjoying the natural landscape around you can end up being pushed down a list of ever-competing priorities.

It is, however, really important to make time to enjoy nature: not only is it great for our physical health, it can really help our mental wellbeing as well. So with that in mind, we’ve put together a few suggestions of places you might want to explore next time you’re in need of fresh air and stunning views: you’re welcome.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/

Hop on a train from Glasgow Central and within an hour you’ll find yourself in Balloch where you can cruise Loch Lomond and enjoy the breathtaking views Loch Lomond has to offer. There are lots of other ways to access this stunning area and it really is worth it for the iconic Scottish scenery which, for our money, can’t be bettered anywhere. Majestic mountains, glens and lochs: this place has it all - and then some. You can go fishing, canoeing or sailing on the water, or take a hike or cycle through the glorious countryside.

Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ramsey-island/

Ramsey Island, off the coast of St David’s, is a fascinating example of British conservation in action. This stunning RSPB nature reserve used to be home to a colony of puffins until rats drove them away in the 19th Century. Thanks to the efforts of wildlife experts, who brought in a sound system playing enticing puffin calls, some of the birds have started to make their way back during the breeding season. There are plenty more fascinating species to spot on Ramsey, though - including Atlantic Grey seals, choughs, guillemots, and Manx shearwaters. Plus, if you want to spot the puffins, you can take a boat trip to nearby Skomer, where you’ll see plenty from April to July.

Minsmere, Suffolk

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/minsmere/

From Ramsey Island in the west, to the stunning wilds of Minsmere in the East; this jewel on the Suffolk coast has everything. RSPB Minsmere is, as you’d expect, home to a wide variety of bird species, and you might even spot some otters too. Time spent exploring the Suffolk coastline is never wasted!

Wild Park, Brighton

https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-arts/parks-and-green-spaces/wild-park

When you think of Brighton, you probably picture the iconic seafront, but - lovely as that is- this area is not all fish and chips and sticks of rock. Wild Park is an impressive local nature reserve, where the South Downs National Park reaches right into the city of Brighton and Hove. You can enjoy a walk in the chalk grassland, where thousands of species thrive, and take in the stunning views.

The UK is home to such a wide variety of amazing wildlife that it’s really tricky to compile a list like this, for fear of leaving out some firm favourites! Still, these are just some ideas to get you started, and this embarrassment of riches is definitely a good problem to have. Perhaps you have some gems of your own to add to the list, or think your business might benefit from teaming up with a wildlife project near you to make a positive difference in the local area. Whatever the case, do feel free to get in touch with us here at GreenTheUK to discuss how we can help you!