Best UK National Parks for birdwatching and marine wildlife

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.
Best National Parks for birdwatching: The Broads and Yorkshire Dales
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.

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.
Best National Park for marine wildlife: Arfordir Penfro (Pembrokeshire Coast)
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.

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.