If you’ve not been to Britain before or are a ‘townie’ or a city dweller that doesn’t get out to the countryside much, you may be wondering what sort of wildlife you may be able to spot on holiday here.

Read on to find out more about the type of wildlife you may be lucky enough to see on holiday in the UK and where best to holiday to see these wonderful creatures.

Birds to Spot on Holiday in Britain

Robins, Blue-Tits and Finches

Robin, a common sight in British gardens

Whether you’re officially a ‘twitcher’ or just enjoy looking at our feathered friends when you see them in gardens or when out and about, birdwatching can be great fun.  Some people are happy booking a countryside cottage with a private garden with shrubbery and trees that can attract small pretty birds like blue-tits or goldfinches in season whereas for others, it’s essential to choose a holiday destination where you can explore and see birds out in their natural habitat.

The beautiful red-breasted robin is a popular and cherished sight in UK gardens through the winter months and even in to spring.

Sea birds, Herons and more….

Heron

For those who want to get out there and look for birds, the North Norfolk Coast is a popular option as it’s dotted with nature reserves such as Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve, Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve (plus RSPB Titchwell Marsh) and the National Trust’s Blakeney Nature Reserve.

Another increasingly popular choice for birdwatching holidays is the Norfolk Broads, places like Wheatfen with its fenlands  where you may see warblers and Fairhaven Woodland and Water garden near South Walsham where you may see grebe and geese.  Broads is increasingly becoming  popular choice.   Norfolk Broads, RSPB sites.

Puffins

Beautiful puffins

Other popular birds to see in Britain are puffins with their beautifully coloured beaks and cute appearance.  So cute are they, that some describe them as ‘sea parrots’.

Popular places to spot puffins are:

•    the Bullers of Buchan in Aberdeenshire (unfenced high cliffs, take care).
•    Skomer island in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
•    Farne Islands of Northumberland

Sea Eagles

These magnificent birds are a rare sight in the UK.  These large eagles with their huge wingspan are a sight to behold but you don’t quite have to go to the corners of the earth to see them, but you may need to seek out certain corners of Britain to catch a glimpse.

Some of the best places to see sea eagles are:

•    the Isle of Skye coast.
•    the Isle of Mull.

The above is just a taste of some of the most iconic and beautiful birds you may be lucky enough to see on holiday in the UK.  If you see some other fascinating birds on holiday why not less us know in the comments section below.

Animals to Spot on Holiday in the UK

When it comes to mammals to see on holiday in the UK out in the wild, Britain is home to some beautiful wild animals like badgers, foxes and deer that you may be lucky enough to see if holidaying in rural Britain.  Most of these animals though are shy and you are unlikely to see these wild animals on holiday in Britain, unless you seek them out or are staying at a holiday home where they are regular visitors.

Deer watching in the South East of England

Deer in Bluebell wood near Ashridge estate

Hertfordshire is quite a hot spot for spotting deer in the UK.  If exploring the quieter areas of the Ashridge National Trust estate, particularly at early morning, you may see deer happily crossing the road, or hiding in the woodlands.

Spring and summer can be the best times to spot deer here.

Another good place to see deer (which isn’t exactly in the wild but is in 3000 acres of parklands) is at Woburn Abbey Deer Park in Bedfordshire where there are nine species of deer.  This deer park is home to native UK deer, as well as Asian species.

Dolphin watching in Scotland

Spot dolphins on holiday

One of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins is along the Moray Firth near Inverness, plus Chanonry point and the Black Isle.   There is a resident dolphin population in this area of Scotland so you may be lucky enough to see them, whatever time of year you visit.  For good visibility though and the potential to see dolphins glistening in the sunshine, dolphin watching in the summer months may offer the best experience.

Other places in the UK where dolphins can be seen in summer include Cardigan Bay in Wales and if you’re around Land’s End Peninsula in Cornwall then you may be lucky enough to see dolphins from January to April.

Seal Watching in England and Wales

Beautiful grey seal

Popular places to see beautiful grey seals include Cardigan Bay in Wales, as well as Bardsey Island, in England Northumberland’s Farne Isles and Blakeney Point at Norfolk are popular for seal watching trips.

Visit at the right time of year and you may be lucky enough to see baby seals, which are unbelievably cute.

Whale watching in Scotland

Enjoy whale watching on holiday

The remote Scottish islands beckon for those who want to see whales in Britain.
Minke whales can sometimes be spotted, as well as basking sharks, and sometimes even killer whale (Orcas).  Summer is usually the best time to go whale watching in Scotland.

Hot Spots for Whale watching in Scotland include:

•    Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross
•    The Minch strait near Ullapool
•    Shetland Islands (where you may even see humpback whales)
•    Orkney

For the finest whale watching, you really do need to head to the more remote parts of Scotland, but for those that make the trip it is often an unforgettable experience.
Wildlife Watching Holidays

If you love wildlife watching,

• Find Cottages for Wildlife Watching on Holiday

Cow next to field

If you like the idea of holidaying in a tranquil country location, whether for an Easter break or a summer holiday, booking a self-catering break on a farm could be a great choice.  The good news is that there are lots of holiday cottages on farms to be found dotted throughout rural England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  A good number of farmers have converted old stables and farm buildings into, in many cases luxurious holiday accommodation where guests can come for a while to experience a taste of the good life.

For ideas and inspiration, on places to stay, see our:

• selection of Farm Cottages

Read on for our top 5 reasons to holiday on a farm.

1. Country Views

Enjoy country views on holiday

One of the best benefits of holidaying on a farm is seeing those country views.  For the best rural views look out for holiday homes with private balconies or fields where you can sit out and look out over nearby fields and meadows.  Whether for you the joy is in sitting out and listening to bird song whilst enjoying a morning coffee or sitting out and sipping a cool glass of wine on a summer’s evening whilst you watch the sun go down, you can see some amazing sun rises and sun sets on holiday in the British countryside.

2. Wildlife Watch

Most farms are set in acres and acres of countryside (although some are on edge of village locations), and by virtue of this rural setting are glorious places to enjoy a bit of wildlife watching.  Whether you’re a keen twitcher who likes to look out for birds like hawks, sparrows or even in Scotland eagles, holidaying on a farm can be a good choice for spotting birdlife and other animals.

Stay near meadowlands, fields or forest on a farm and you may also be lucky enough to spot other wildlife such as deer, rabbits and hares.  Early morning and around sunset can be good times of day for spotting wildlife, as well as an optimum time to take photos too, so you can capture those memories to treasure.

3. Meet the Animals

Meet animals on a farm holiday

Choose to stay on a farm with livestock and you are almost guaranteed to see animals on holiday.  Whether the farmer keeps sheep, chickens, pigs or cows or a combination of these, at many farms the owners are open to guests meeting and at some places even feeding the animals.  If you’d like to have the opportunity to meet the animals or think your children would love to do this, see our list of farms where you can meet the animals.

Whether it’s giving a carrot to a donkey or putting out corn for chickens, children and adults often love the chance to meet and feed farm animals.

4. Relax and Unwind in Tranquillity

Perhaps you work in a city or a bustling town and long for a bit of peace and tranquillity.  If you want to get away from it all to a place where you can recharge your batteries in tranquil surroundings then holidaying on a farm could be a great choice.  If you truly want an idyllic peaceful retreat staying at a smallholding may be the best choice, rather than holidaying on a larger farm where there may be tractors and other farm vehicles.  If peace and tranquillity is truly important to you, we recommend that you get in touch with owners or agencies prior to booking  for reassurances that the property that you are interested in, is suitable for your needs.

5. Enjoy a Taste of the Good Life

Hens for freshly laid eggs

There’s nothing quite like holidaying on a farm for a chance to experience a taste of the good life.  At some farms, you may be supplied with eggs produced on the farm, how’s that for a taste of the good life?  Whereas if you holiday on a farm that grows strawberries you may be allowed to pick some of the local crop to enjoy during your stay.

Whichever type of farm you choose to holiday on, whether you enjoy peace, tranquillity, getting back to nature and wildlife watching, this kind of holiday could be a wonderful experience.

Christmas Lights

Looking to make your Christmas a real cracker?  Why not take the family or the one you love to one of the UK’s wonderful light displays to dazzle and inspire.  One of the very best things to do in the build-up to Christmas is to go and see festive light displays. There’s nothing quite like seeing imaginative and colourful light shows that brighten up the dark winter nights.

Wherever in the UK you live or if you’re just visiting, Christmas light displays are becoming more and more popular in Britain by the year.  If you’re keen to see some mesmerising Christmas lights that will really get you into the festive spirit, here’s a guide to some of the top ones the UK has to offer.

Country Cottages Online’s Pick of the Best Places to See Christmas Lights

1.    Magical Lantern Festival London

Now in its third year, the Magical Lantern Festival London sees the gardens of Chiswick House transformed into a fanciful display of larger-than-life festive lanterns that light up the night. While here, you can pick up lots of food, drink and souvenirs, while younger ones can meet Santa at his grotto. Explore the Lantern Trail and see huge winter-themed lanterns of things such as penguins, snowmen, reindeer and many more.

2. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Up in bonny Scotland, once night has fallen, you can visit the Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden and explore a mile-long illuminated trail. See the garden’s many beautiful displays and abundant plant life lit up in an assortment of colours. Festive food and drinks, including mulled wine, spiced cider, toasted marshmallows and roasted chestnuts, are all on sale and there’s even a visiting Santa ready to meet younger ones. A highlight is the Fire Garden, whose plants give off all sorts of soothing scents.

3. Mousehole, Cornwall

This unassuming fishing village in Cornwall is well known for its inventive and enchanting Christmas lights display. What makes the display at Mousehole particularly appealing is the fact that it isn’t as popular as others, so should you choose to visit it, you won’t have to brave the crowds as much as in places like London, for example. The lights brighten up the village and there are even floating displays out on the harbour waters lighting up the boats.

4. Norwich Christmas Lights

The city of Norwich really goes all out for its Christmas celebrations, with plenty of dazzling lights to behold. One of its most popular attractions is the Tunnel of Light, which was the first of its kind in the UK when it opened in 2016. Stretching for 45 metres, it’s four metres high and six metres wide, with its 50,000 lights putting on a fantastic light show inspired by the Northern Lights. There are also festive short films and images projected on to Norwich Castle, as well as a lively Christmas market offering all sorts of treats and gifts.

5. Kew Gardens, London

Located in southwest London, Kew Gardens is a World Heritage Site and one of the city’s top attractions. Its herbarium is among the largest in the world and the gardens are home to over 30,000 different plant species. Christmas at Kew sees the gardens transform into a dazzling light display, with over a million lights across the grounds illuminating plants and buildings alike. Children can meet Santa and everyone can enjoy festive treats to keep them warm as they explore the mile-long trail that takes you past the lake, which even has underwater lights brightening it up.

6. Glasgow Christmas Lights

Every November in Glasgow’s George Square, the city’s Christmas lights are switched on, with the area given a cheery festive makeover. When the sun goes down, the square becomes a winter wonderland, complete with a bustling Christmas market, a traditional carousel, lively street entertainment and even a big wheel, enabling you to observe the light show from more than 100 feet up in the air.

7. Oxford Street Christmas Lights, London

Oxford Street gets transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland every year when its famous street lights get turned on. Now in its 58th year, the display brightens up the popular shopping street and its switch-on is so anticipated that up to a million people are thought to attend. This year’s display features some 750,000 LED lightbulbs and no fewer than 1,778 decorations! The lights are certainly a sight worth taking in while doing some Christmas shopping.

8. Christmas Adventure, Stockeld Park

Located just outside of Wetherby in Yorkshire, Stockeld Park is a fantastic place to enjoy family-friendly Christmas entertainment in the run-up to the big day. There are lots of exciting activities available here, including an ice rink, a Nordic ski trail three-quarters of a mile in length and, specially for the children, a Santa’s grotto and several adventure playgrounds. Fans of Christmas lights will certainly not be disappointed, as the park’s Enchanted Forest is lit up with countless lights and a variety of illuminated sculptures. There’s also a maze, which features over two miles of paths and is the only maze in Yorkshire to light up.

9. Manchester Christmas Lights

The switch-on for Manchester’s Christmas lights is a huge affair, attracting several thousands of spectators and a string of celebrity performers. This year saw DJ Sigala, singer Pixie Lott and the cast of Elf: The Musical took to the stage to celebrate the turning on of the lights. The lights brighten up the city’s Albert Square and its town hall, not to mention the hugely popular European Christmas market that fills the square. While taking in the sights of the lights, be sure to make the most of the market, whose stalls have all sorts of food and souvenirs from throughout the continent available to buy.

10. Regent Street Christmas Lights, London

Another popular London shopping street that hosts a stunning Christmas lights display every year.  Regent Street’s display is the one of largest in the capital and features hundreds of thousands of twinkling LED lights in all sorts of bright and festive colours lighting up the street. The display’s switch-on was a star-studded event, with Paloma Faith, Emma Bunton, Clean Bandit, Michael and Alfie Bow all taking part.

Know of some more dazzling light displays that you’d recommend?  Let us know your suggestions and may be they will make our Top 10 next year.  Wherever you choose to visit this festive season we hope you have a very merry time.  If you are looking to getaway this Christmas, see our Christmas Cottages page for more ideas and inspiration.