Five animal activities to add to your next UK holiday itinerary

Whether you prefer fluffy mammals or majestic birds, there are many opportunities to see or even meet animals around the UK. From heading out into nature to hands-on experiences with exotic animals, you can find plenty of chances to interact with various members of the animal kingdom.

Whether you’re planning family-friendly activity holidays in the UK or simply looking to get closer to nature, here are five animal activities to add to your potential itinerary.

Seal watching on the Norfolk coast

If you’re looking for an unforgettable wildlife experience, visiting the grey seal colonies on the Norfolk coast should be high on your list. Blakeney Point, a National Nature Reserve, is one of the UK’s most famous spots for seal watching, particularly during the winter months when grey seals come ashore to give birth to their pups.

Boat tours from Morston Quay take visitors to Blakeney Point, offering the chance to observe seals basking on the sandbanks and swimming in the waters without getting too close.

Red squirrel spotting in the Lake District

The UK is home to a dwindling population of red squirrels, and the Lake District is one of the few places where you can still find them in the wild.

Whinlatter Forest is a particularly prime location for red squirrel spotting. England’s only mountain forest, Whinlatter, offers tranquil walks with stunning views that are worth the trip, even if the famously elusive squirrels don’t make an appearance.

That said, there are several feeding stations set up within the forest where squirrels are most likely to be spotted. So make sure to have your camera ready if one happens to bounce out of the trees for a bite to eat!

Visit the Scottish Highland Wildlife Park

If you’re looking for more exotic wildlife, the Scottish Highland Wildlife Park may be the location for you. Located near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, this wildlife park features Scotland’s native animals alongside a variety of less native residents.

One of the highlights of the park is the opportunity to see polar bears, the only place in the UK where you can do so.

Visitors can either drive through the reserve – like you might in a safari – or they can walk around the various enclosures to get a closer look at the animals.

Falconry experiences at Warwick Castle

For a more hands-on animal experience, you can find falconry sessions at Warwick Castle. Warwick Castle has been home to falconry displays for hundreds of years, and it continues that long-held tradition with daily flying displays and private falconry experiences.

During the falconry experience, you get the chance to handle and fly birds such as eagles, hawks, and owls. Learn all about the birds’ hunting techniques, their place in history, and how they are trained by expert falconers.

Meet farm animals at Cotswold Farm Park

Cotswold Farm Park is a family-friendly attraction that allows visitors to meet and learn about a wide range of farm animals, ideal for younger kids.

Located in the Cotswold countryside, the park offers you the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of sheep, goats, cows, and pigs, including some more unusual breeds. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may even get to see newborn lambs and help bottle-feed them.

Whatever flavour of animal encounters you’re looking for – whether that’s wild spotting or up-close interaction – you can find an experience in the UK to match. Consider adding at least one of these options to your next getaway itinerary to.

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