Self-catering accommodation and country cottages for bird watchers in SW England

Bird watching on holiday can be great fun but can require some patience and persistence. Discover the best places in the South West of England for birdwatching and draw up a list of places you'd like to birdwatch on your break away.

Top Places for Bird-Watching in the South West of England

Yarner Wood National Nature Reserve, a couple miles west of Bovey Tracey in Devon - mixed woodland with mainly sessile oak, Scots pine, holly and rowan.   It is located to the east of the Dartmoor National Park.  Among the birds that breed here are wood warblers and pied flycatchers (in nest boxes), grey wagtails and dippers.

Exe Estuary - near Exmouth in Devon.  Extensive mud flats and sand-flats are exposed at low tide which attract numerous waders.  The marshes are divided into two areas: Exminster Marshes and Bowling Green marsh.  Opposite Exmouth,  is Exe Estuary Bird Sanctuary, which is worth a special visit.  In the spring lapwings and redshanks breed here.  Also find greenshanks, spotted redshanks, black-tailed godwits, purple sandpipers and sanderlings. Various migrant terns and waders visit during the autumn. Over-wintering birds are curlews, lapwings, Slavonian and black-eyed grebes, red-breasted mergansers, shelduck, Brent geese, wigeon and pintail.

Aylesbeare Common - a heathland with valley bogs and streams surrounded by scrub, heather, gorse and mixed woodland. Find tree pipits, buzzards, ravens, nightjars, stonechats and Dartford warblers. Two nature trails.

Chapel Wood - RSPB mixed wood.  It's a small wood 3 miles north of Braunston, Devon. Find woodland birds; nuthatches, redstarts, tree-creepers, warblers, tits and possibly ravens and buzzards.

Radipole Lake in Weymouth,  Dorset. This RSPB nature reserve contains freshwater and brackish lagoons.  It is an important resting place for migratory birds in the autumn, e.g. swallows, sand-martins, yellow wagtails, black terns and other waterfowl.

Abbotsbury swannery - a delight to all including bird watchers.  Find suitable country cottages nearby.

Abbotsbury Swannery is worth a visit at the end of May until mid June to see hundreds of mute swans nesting and their cygnets. Swans have been breeding at Abbotbury in Devon for almost 700 years. The herd is protected, their diet supplemented and the nests themselves are discreetly looked after by staff and volunteers. A tourist industry has arisen around the swans and visitors will find an 'Ugly Duckling Trail', an audio visual presentation, plus the usual coffee and gift shop.  The nearest station is Weymouth.

West Sedgemoor  near Bridgwater, Somerset - one of England's largest wet grazing meadows.  Find waders and waterfowl, particularly teal, wigeon and lapwing.

 

 
 
Walkers Farm Cottages near Bridgwater, Somerset 

With a peaceful rural location, Walkers Farm Holiday Cottages in Somerset are well situated for bird watching.self catering cottages, cycle path and cycle lanes, holiday cottages with cycling

There are four cottages making up this collection, one of which offers disabled-friendly facilities. Two of these holiday homes sleep 4 and two sleep up to 5. AA 4 star rated, these are high quality places to stay close to the tranquil rural hamlet of Stathe near Bridgwater and Taunton.  

Nature reserves accessible for day trips nearby include the RSPB’s West Sedgemoor near Yeovil, RSPB’s Greylake near Bridgwater and the RSPB’s Swell Wood near Yeovill, offering keen birdwatchers plenty of choice and opportunities to do some ‘twitching’.

On days out from this lovely West Country location, find out about the area’s cider making and award winning willow craft industry and enjoy days out by the coast and in the countryside. There are ample opportunities to enjoy local walks including the MacMillan Way and River Parrett Trail, as well as walks in the Quantock Hills.

Click on images for details about these charming country cottages in Somerset.
Contact: Click on the photograph for details of a self catering cottage in the country with birdwatching
Rural Cottage Sleeps 2- 4 or 5, near Ashburton, Devon

cottage in a delightful rural setting in Devon near Ashburton, perfect for bird watching and wildlife spottingStoodley Barn ( sleeps 5) near Ashburton in Devon benefits from a secluded setting nestled by acres and acres of rolling Devon countryside.  There is lots to see and do in the area and Dartmoor National Park is easily accessible for day trips.   

Devon's beaches are within 35 minutes drive.  Click on photograph for details.

Contact: Telephone Richard on 01364 631 212 to book now - this one will be popular.
Sleeps 4 in a 4 Star Annexe in Weymouth

Country cottage for self-catering holidaysAn ideal cottage if you're wanting to visit Abbotsbury Swannery in late May or June. 

Enjoy some birdwatching from the comfortable base of Stonebank Annexe in Dorset. Stonebank is a charming historical building which dates back to the 17th century and is Grade II listed. Stonebank Annexe is a delightful 4 star Visit England rated holiday home at this location which has a delightful patio area and garden. Benefiting from a tranquil location near to Chickerell, patio doors lead out from the property to the tranquil gardens and with a lounge, kitchen, one double bedroom, one twin bedroom and a family bathroom, Stonebank Annexe sleeps up to 4.

Close by is Fleet (the narrow lagoon between Chesil Beach and the mainland) and for keen walkers, the South West coastal path.  For birdwatching outings, the RSPB’s Radipole Lake and Lodmoor are close by. Also in Weymouth is the RSPB’s Weymouth Discovery Centre.

Contact:  Click on the photograph for more information about a birdwatching holiday in the south west

 Select holiday cottages and self catering accommodation for bird watchers in other parts of Britain

 

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