Best UK National Parks for birdwatching and marine wildlife

Best UK National Parks for birdwatching and marine wildlife
Photo courtesy of Charles Clinkard

There are 15 beautiful National Parks across the UK — and if you’re a wildlife buff, there are several great options. To help you plan your next outdoor adventure, Charles Clinkard – a family footwear brand celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2024 – have taken a closer look at all 15 National Parks in the UK and ranked each one on several factors to find the best option for different walkers.

Whether you’re a keen twitcher, or fancy a coastal walk with the chance to spot some stunning marine wildlife from seals to whales, here are some great area to explore.

When it comes to wildlife, the UK has a thriving bird population which can be spotted in National Parks across the UK. If you’re an avid birdwatcher and you’re looking for the best spot to catch a glimpse of your favourite species, the Broads is sure to be an ideal spot for you.

A Sedge Warbler
Credit: Kev/Pixabay

Home to Britain’s largest wetland, this area is a great place for spotting birds like marsh harriers, and Eurasian wigeons and teals. There are a variety of other species to keep an eye out for too, including reed and sedge warblers.

The second great National Park for bird spotting is the Yorkshire Dales, home to a wide variety of different species. Here you’ll find anything from ground-nesting birds like red and black grouse to wading birds like curlew. There are also a variety of breathtaking birds of prey to keep an eye out for, including peregrine falcons, kestrels, and even osprey.

You may not associate the UK with marine wildlife, but there are some spots of the country where you’re likely to get a glimpse of a sea animal or two. The best National Park for spotting marine wildlife is Arfordir Penfro (also known as Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) in the south-west of Wales.

An Atlantic Grey Seal
Credit: APB/Pixabay

As well as being a great place to soak up some breathtaking coastal scenery, it’s also the ideal place to keep an eye out for marine mammals. From this Park, there’s a chance to spot a variety of sea creatures, from Atlantic grey seals to minke whales.

There are a variety of species of dolphin that visit this corner of Wales too, including porpoises and common and bottlenose dolphins.

Author