11 Exciting UK Wildlife Experiences for Your Bucketlist

UK Wildlife Experiences 

UK wildlife experiences are too often written off as being boring.

We don’t have the fierce apex predators of the Masai Mara. We don’t have the tropical reefs of the Maldives, and we don’t have the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.

But, scratch below the surface and you’ll find a wealth of wildlife just waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re seeking adventure or just looking for a sedate day out, whether you’ve got all the gear or no idea, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s dive in.

UK Wildlife Experience #1: Snorkel with Puffins

Puffins are one of the most adorable and recognisable UK birds. Their colourful beaks have made them something of an icon.

They visit various locations around the UK each year to nest on their journey into the North Atlantic. There are plenty of place to spot them but few people know that it’s even possible to swim with them!

Where To Go

Celtic Deep offer tours to bring you face to face with these creatures at Skomer and Stokholm Islands off of the Welsh Pembrokshire Coast. You might even be lucky enough to spot seals and other marine animals on your adventure! Even sunfish and dolphins have been known to make an appearance…

When To Go

Puffins don’t hang around long, so you’ve got a strict and narrow time window on this one. Tours run April-July but May and June are the peak puffin seasons.

UK Wildlife Experience #2: Search for Badgers

Badger watching is a unique and magical wildlife experience that often requires a little patience. These nocturnal creatures are elusive and shy, making them hard to spot in the wild. However, for those willing to put in the time, the rewards can be great.

Where To Go

Badgers are found in various locations across the UK, but tours are a rare find. This company offers the opportunity in Dorset.

When To Go

Tours run in the evenings from April to October.

UK Wildlife Experience #3: Watch the Deer Rut

The autumnal deer rut is a sight to behold.

Majestic red and fallow deer lock antlers in a ruthless battle for dominance and mating rights. 

This dramatic event takes place across various parks and woodlands in the UK, attracting wildlife photographers and nature lovers alike.

Where To Go

There are plenty of options on this one, and the nice thing is that a lot of them are quite accessible. The UK is home to a number of deer populations living in its country parks and round stately homes. Richmond Park has a famously large deer herd and is a great place to watch.

For a more rural setting, head to the Scottish Highlands, where the deer rut takes place against the backdrop of rugged mountains and misty glens. Watching these graceful animals in their natural habitat is both humbling and thrilling.

When To Go

Deer rutting takes place from late September to early November. So essentially, go in October.

UK Wildlife Experience #4: Chase Dolphins

I mean, don’t literally chase them. Just go out on a boat and find some.

Few wildlife experiences compare to the joy of spotting dolphins leaping from the sea. The UK offers several hotspots for dolphin watching, making it one of the top wildlife experiences you can have without leaving the country.

Where To Go

One of the best places to see dolphins is the Moray Firth in Scotland. This area is home to one of the most northerly populations of bottlenose dolphins in the world. With a large resident pod of over 130 dolphins, your chances of seeing these playful creatures are high.

Another great spot for dolphin watching is Cardigan Bay in Wales, which is also home to a thriving population of bottlenose dolphins.

When To Go

Dolphin watching is best done between May and September, mostly because the seas are slightly calmer!

UK Wildlife Experience #5: Swim with Sharks

Yes, you read that right — you can swim with sharks in UK waters!

We have reached our most adrenaline fuelled UK wildlife experience. If watching dolphins wasn’t heart raising enough for you, why not jump in the water with a shark?

We get a variety of species off the UK coast, and where you go depends on what you want to see.

Where To Go

Celtic Deep also offers a full day tour with the chance of an appearance Blue sharks, Porbeagles, Threshers, Basking sharks, and very occasionally, mako sharks. You may even be lucky enough to spot a whale in the summer months.

Basking Shark Scotland also offers multi-day tours for the once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with these majestic giants 

When To Go

The summer months are also the best months for shark spotting. Again, those calmer waters make the experience of being on a boat far more bearable!

UK Wildlife Experience #6: Spot Osprey

Ospreys are one of the most exciting birds of prey to spot in the UK. These fish-eating raptors were once extinct in the UK, but thanks to successful reintroduction programs, they’ve made a remarkable comeback.

Every spring, ospreys migrate from Africa to the UK to breed. They remain in their giant nesting sights for many weeks, meaning that bird watchers can reliably turn up and all but guarantee a sighting within a few hours.

Where To Go

At Rutland Water, in the East Midlands, you can watch these magnificent birds build their nests, hunt for fish, and rear their young. The Rutland Osprey Project has a visitor center and live cameras set up, giving you a chance to witness the ospreys’ incredible lives up close.

There is also a population which can be seen in Snowdonia.

When To Go

As usual, summer is the best time to spot these stunners. They can be seen in the UK from April to September each year.

UK Wildlife Experience #7: See the Salmon Run

When you think of the salmon run, you undoubtedly think of locations like Canada where the giant annual migration is famously renowned by nature enthusiasts.

However, the UK has its own, small scale answer to this Goliath of the natural world. 

The UK’s rivers come alive every autumn as thousands of salmon make their way upstream to their spawning grounds. Witnessing the salmon run is an awe-inspiring experience as these fish leap up waterfalls and swim against strong currents in their struggle to reproduce.

Where To Go

Again, there are a number of spots where you can witness this phenomenon. 

One of the best places to see the salmon run is at the Falls of Shin in the Scottish Highlands. Other great locations to see the salmon run include the River Dee in Wales and the River Tweed in Scotland. 

Don’t forget your binoculars, as you may also spot otters and birds of prey like ospreys hunting for salmon in these areas.

When To Go

This event occurs in the Autumn months, so September to November is your window for this one.

UK Wildlife Experience #8: Spot Eagles

Spotting eagles is another wildlife experience rarely associated with the UK. The islands off the Scottish coast play host to golden and white-tailed eagles (also known as sea eagles). 

Both species represent success stories for conservation. Golden eagles were hunted to near extinction, but now 500 breeding pairs call the UK home. White-tailed eagles, our largest birds of prey, were completely extinct in the country. A successful reintroduction program now means we have around 40 breeding pairs.

Where To Go

The Isle of Mull and the Isle of Skye are both fantastic places for spotting eagles. Getting yourself on a tour is advisable so that you know what you’re looking for. Once you’ve seen one, you’ll train your eye to find more. 

When To Go

March to September is your best time for eagle spotting. Golden eagles are here year round, but they are easiest to spot when weather conditions are good.

UK Wildlife Experience #9: Walk with Wild Ponies

Wild ponies are one of the most iconic wildlife sights in the UK. 

Ponies can be found grazing in small herds throughout Dartmoor’s vast open spaces, valleys, and tors. They have adapted to the challenging moorland environment and can be seen year-round. These animals are particularly known for their resilience and ability to survive the harsh winters.

Where To Go

These ponies are found all over Dartmoor National Park in Devon. They’re not hard to find- just drive through and you’ll probably spot some on the roadside. 

Though the ponies are used to human presence, they are still wild and should be admired from a respectful distance. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of foals in the springtime.

When To Go

The ponies can be spotted all year round, but you are likely to have the most pleasant experiences in the summer months.

UK Wildlife Experience #10: Glimpse Baby Seals

Seals are among our most charismatic wildlife and can be found in waters all around the UK. 

However, there are a few places where they will land to give birth to their pups. If you’re there at the right time of year, you can see these newborn pups for yourself. 

Where To Go

Donna Nook in Lincolnshire offers some of the best opportunities. This one can be enjoyed by the whole family.

It’s an extraordinary wildlife experience, and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manages the area to ensure that visitors can observe the seals without disturbing them. Viewing platforms allow you to get close enough to see the pups without interfering with their natural behavior.

When To Go

Pup season is in the Autumn, so you can catch them from October through to December, making it a great experience for when those colder days close in.

UK Wildlife Experience #11: Wonder at Glow Worms

One of the most magical wildlife experiences you can have in the UK is seeing glow worms twinkle in the darkness. These fascinating creatures aren’t worms at all, but bioluminescent beetles. The females emit a greenish glow from their abdomens to attract males, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the summer months.

Where To Go

Ebernoe Common in Sussex and Stockbridge Down in Hampshire both provide opportunities to spot glow worms. Keep an eye on the websites of their respective Wildlife Trusts as they occasionally offer guided walks.

Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire also offers the occasional guided walk in the summer.

When To Go

The best time to see them is between June and August, on warm, balmy nights. You’ll need to let your eyes adjust to the darkness to fully appreciate the tiny lights scattered across grassy meadows or woodland edges.

Let’s Go!

There are a whole host of UK wildlife experiences you’ve probably never even considered.

Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids on a Saturday afternoon, or looking for once in a lifetime adventure, there’s something for everyone.