The best places to spot wildlife in Yorkshire
Staycationers should visit Yorkshire’s best wildlife hotspots this spring and summer. Yorkshire based luxury holiday cottage company Holiday at Home say the county should be on everyone’s travel bucket lists for 2026.
The picturesque region has long been a popular tourist destination for Britons, and with 81% of those with children under five saying their holiday is the most important time of the year, the experts are urging families to consider breaks closer to home.
Yorkshire provides visitors with some of the most varied landscapes in the country, including deep valleys, the famous moors, dales and a spectacular coastline. The region is also home to an incredible range of species and some of the country’s best wildlife-spotting locations.
Charlotte Denny, director at Holiday at Home said: “Yorkshire has long been one of the most popular regions in the UK to enjoy a staycation, as it really offers something for everyone.
“More travellers are looking for holidays that combine beautiful scenery with memorable experiences, and Yorkshire delivers on both. Locations like Dalby Forest and Filey Brigg give visitors the chance to see wildlife up close while exploring some of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in the country. Visitors have a real chance of spotting everything from puffins and seabirds to red squirrels and deer, all within a relatively short drive.”
Bempton Cliffs, best for spotting seabirds
Around half a million seabirds gather around these towering chalk cliffs overlooking the North Sea between March and August. Seabird breeding season tends to be between April-July, making it the perfect spot for a spring or summer staycation. Visitors can expect spectacular wildlife displays including puffins, kittiwakes, gannets and razorbills.
Scorton Lakes Nature Reserve, best for spotting hares and butterflies
Located near Richmond in North Yorkshire, Scorton Lakes is a restored wetland featuring lakes and woodlands. The area has created perfect habitats for wildlife enthusiasts who can spot kingfishers, lapwings, butterflies and brown hares. The spot is popular for dog walkers and bird watchers.
Flamborough, best for spotting coastal wildlife
In the East Riding of Yorkshire, this hotspot is known for its coastline and Flamborough Head. With some of the most diverse bird life in the country, many wildlife lovers enjoy long coastal walks here. Visitors may even spot large populations of butterflies in the summer months, alongside gulls and gannets.
Snaizeholme red squirrel trail, best for spotting red squirrels
Deforestation has destroyed the habitats that red squirrels prefer, but areas like the Snaizeholme red squirrel trail provide the ideal habitat for the rare wildlife. The viewpoint and surrounding woodland offer a fantastic day out for families and wildlife lovers who may also be able to spot roe deer and a variety of woodland birds.
Dalby Forest, best for spotting woodland wildlife
This forest in North Yorkshire offers families and wildlife lovers a biodiverse habitat supporting a wide range of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy walking and cycling routes to spot deer, badgers, otters and lots of birds like tawny owls, nightjars and woodpeckers.
Filey Brigg, best for spotting seabirds and rockpool creatures
This narrow, 20 metre high headland juts out into Filey Bay in North Yorkshire and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for fossil hunting, coastal walks and wildlife spotting. During the spring and summer, visitors can spot marine mammals like bottlenose dolphins and whales, coastal wildlife like roe deer. Breeding seabirds and migrant birds can also be spotted. –
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