Rural Wonders of the UK: Flora and Fauna hotspots
The UK is full of stunning scenery, with so much to discover. So champions of the UK countryside, Humes Outfitters have scoured the UK and highlighted some of the most wondrous locations for flora and fauna hotspots.
If you’re into flora and fauna, here are some of the sites you won’t want to miss.
Flora hotspots
Simonside Hills – Northumberland, England
In the heart of Northumberland lies one of the best areas to spot upland heather in the UK. While the area is home to a wide variety of flora, it is best known for the vast heather moorland which covers the hills.
The vast amount of heather attracts a variety of fauna, too, including red grouse and bumblebees. This heather moorland only occurs in the UK, so it’s well worth a visit when the plant is in bloom, from mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Mayfield Lavender Farm – Surrey, England
For those looking to enjoy a day out in nature without committing to a whole staycation, Mayfield Lavender Farm could be the perfect location for you. Situated on the outskirts of London, this 25-acre lavender farm is a beautiful sea of purple, and perfect for fans of this fragrant flower.
The farm opens to the public from early June until late August, giving you plenty of time to plan a trip to this beautiful natural attraction.
Snowdonia, Wales
While Snowdonia is best known for having the highest mountain in Wales and some incredibly picturesque walks, the area is also one of the best in the UK for seeing bluebells in the spring months. One of the best ways to spot them is walking the Cefndeuddwr Trail, which will take you through a woodland full of bluebells.
You’ll find even more flora throughout Snowdonia as well, including elegant flowers like the Snowdon lily and foxgloves, as well as hardy and resilient plants, such as knapweed and gorse. The diverse flora attracts a variety of wildlife too, so you won’t be short of natural sightseeing in this rural wonder.
Peak District, England
One of the UK’s most loved national parks, the Peak District is full of picturesque natural landscapes and activities for the whole family. And those looking to see the best of British flora are sure to find what they’re looking for here, too. The area is home to a wide variety of wildflowers and plants throughout the seasons, including yellow-horned poppies, wild thyme, water mint, and vervain.
What makes this area stand out from the rest is the abundance of wild orchids throughout the National Park. 52 species of orchid can be found across the UK, 16 of which can be found in the Peak District. This includes the fly orchid which is rarely found in the wild in this country, as well as frog orchids, bee orchids, and the especially picturesque early marsh-orchids.
One of the best places to spot wild orchids in the Peak District is at Millers Dale, where you’ll find an abandoned quarry full of orchids, as well as other wildflowers and a fantastic array of fauna.
Fauna hotspots
Stackpole – Pembrokeshire, Wales
In a small village in Pembrokeshire, Wales, you’ll find one of the best places to spot wild otters in the UK. Stackpole is home to a large population of otters, which are attracted by fresh water rivers and an abundance of fish.
These animals can be difficult to catch a glimpse of in the UK, however the elusive otters can be spotted year-round in Stackpole. Just remember to bring your binoculars to get a closer look at them. The two best places to spot the otters in Stackpole are from the Eight Arch Bridge and in Bosherston Lily Ponds.
There is an even wider population of wildlife to look out for on your visit, too, including wrens, sparrowhawks, at least 30 species of butterfly, and the largest colony of horseshoe bats in Wales.
Minsmere – Suffolk, England
RSPB Minsmere is a birdwatchers paradise. Species of rare birds can be spotted and heard in the nature reserve in all four seasons, so you’re sure to enjoy a trip no matter the time of year you go. The site has been managed by the RSPB since 1947 to preserve the bird population, and as of 2017 there have been 342 bird species spotted in the reserve.
Some of the birds you may spot on your trip to Minsmere include nightingales, wrens, avocet, and even rare birds such as purple herons and bluethroats.
On top of this large bird population, you’ll find a variety of other fauna in the reserve, too. There is a rich insect and bug population in the area, including rare species of beetles and bees, as well as over 1000 species of moths and butterflies.
Handa Island – Sutherland, Scotland
Puffins have become increasingly difficult to spot over recent years, with populations declining across the country. But on Handa Island you can spot these magnificent birds in the late spring and early summer months.
The island is a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve designed to protect the native puffins, as well as the breeding seabirds which can be sighted from around April until late July. The island is also home to one of the largest colonies of nesting guillemot.
The large variety of wildlife is what attracts birdwatchers to Handa in the visitor season (which usually runs from April to early September), but the wild island has even more to offer. The dramatic landscape comprises of rugged sea cliffs, and you’ll find beautiful wildflower meadows around the reserve which thrive in the spring and summer months. To get to the island, you will have to take a ferry from the town of Tarbet on the mainland.
Galloway Forest Park – Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
The largest forest park in Britain and home to a wide variety of fauna, Galloway Forest Park is a great destination for wildlife lovers. You’ll find many different species of birds across the park, from buzzards to rare red kites.
But what the park is best known for is the population of red deer residing in the reserve, which can be spotted in all four seasons. You can find the animals at the red deer range, which allows you to get a closer look at the UK’s largest mammal.
You can spot a variety of other animals throughout the nature reserve, too. This includes a large population of wild goats, as well as red squirrels, fallow deer, and golden eagles.
