The Top 10 Wildlife Photography Locations In The UK

Shooting wildlife can be one of the most rewarding forms of photography. It gives you a rare and pure glimpse into the natural world and can produce some stunning results.

But before delving into it, you’ll need to research where you can go – which is where we come in. We’ve chosen the UK’s top 10 wildlife photography locations.

1. Kinder Scout – Derbyshire – England

Location

Kinder Scout forms part of the Peak District nature reserve and, at 636 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in Derbyshire. Surrounded by vast moorland and open sky, it’s the perfect habitat for such birds of prey as hen harriers, raptors, and peregrine falcons, the latter of which skyrocketed in population during the first national lockdown. There’s no better time to make the trek up to Kinder Scout and photograph them for yourself.

2. Lyme Park – Cheshire – England

Location

A National Trust park, Lyme Park provides ample opportunities for wildlife photography, from migrating birds to deer. It even houses trees over 500 years old – granted, that’s flora, but still! It’s all the natural world. Lyme Park is actually one of the best locations to spot brown hare in the spring as well, despite their dwindling numbers over the last century. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them boxing.

3. Skomer – Pembrokeshire – Wales

Location

Skomer is an island just off the coast of Pembrokeshire and is famous for its puffins. A count in 2016 estimated that around 22,000 of the little guys live on the island. Even if all Skomer had to offer were puffins, it’d be a worthwhile expedition, but there’s so much more to see. Dolphins, Manx shearwater birds, owls, and seals are among the other forms of wildlife you’ll find here. The scenery is striking, too, so it’s sure to offer some breath-taking wildlife photography.

4. Richmond Park – London – England 

Location

According to the Royal Parks website, Richmond Park has 630 freely roaming red and fallow deer within its nature reserve – and this has been preserved since 1637. The reserve is 2,500 acres, so it’s perfect for capturing deer in a natural habitat. Autumn is even the best time for photographers, as it’s ‘rutting’ season, i.e., breeding season. This gives way to dramatic displays of dominance from the bucks as they compete for females. 

5. Isle of Mull – Inner Hebrides – Scotland

Location

The Isle of Mull is a wildlife photographer’s dream.  It’s home to whales, dolphins, basking sharks, endless species of birds, seals, and otters. However, the island is mainly renowned for its collection of white-tailed and golden eagles, which can be spotted divebombing for fish or soaring across the dramatic landscape. Ferries are available from nearby Oban.

6. Ennerdale – Lake District – England 

Location

Located at the Lake District’s northwesternmost reaches around the glacial lake of its namesake, Ennerdale is quieter than tourist hotspots like Ambleside. This means it’s flourishing with wildlife just waiting to be photographed. From hundreds of species of birds to deer, otters, butterflies, cattle, and fish, it’s a wildlife photographer’s playground. Ennerdale is even home to the UK’s few remaining red squirrels, and there’s a programme to introduce pine martens to the area.

7. Gulf of Corryvreckan – Argyll and Bute – Scotland 

Location

The Gulf of Corryvreckan is a strait between Jura and Scarba on Scotland’s west coast. As well as being home to the world’s third-largest whirlpool, the gulf is also one of the best places to see minke and humpback whales, as well as seals, dolphins, and porpoises. There are tours by boat available, but private-party bookings are also an option if you want to avoid the touristy vibe. Or, you could try talking to a local fisherman nicely! 

8. Cairngorms – Highlands – Scotland 

Location

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the Cairngorms in this article. One, because it’s a spectacular mountain range that’s teeming with wildlife, and two because we’re approaching winter – the range’s most popular time for wildlife photographers. You may spot red deer, birds of prey, ptarmigans, and you might even see a mountain hair, whose fur turns from brown to white in the winter. This rugged, wild landscape takes pride of place in Scotland’s heritage, and is amongst the best places in the UK to witness wild animals in their natural habitat.

9. Gilfach Nature Reserve – Radnorshire – Wales 

Location

There aren’t many places in the UK you can see leaping salmon, but Gilfach is one of them. There’s such a diverse collection of wildlife here. In only 450 acres of land, there’s moorland, wetland, woodland, and grassland, and it’s all easily accessible via dedicated walking paths. There are six species of bat, farm animals, and 55 types of breeding birds. These include cuckoos, tits, woodpeckers, and pied flycatchers. The River Marteg runs through the reserve, giving you a chance to see otters and those leaping Atlantic salmon as they make their way back to where they were born to mate. 

10. Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve – Montgomeryshire – Wales 

Location

The Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve is dedicated to providing a habitat for ospreys. In the 1800s, they were hunted as prized birds to near extinction, but the species finally recovered thanks to conservation efforts made by Cors Dyfi. The reserve is one of the best places to see these magnificent birds in large numbers, in a natural habitat, and even during breeding season. Cors Dyfi is unmissable for any dedicated bird photographer.

Specialist camera insurance from Ripe Photography

If you plan to take your camera out into the wilderness, you need to make sure it’s protected.

At Ripe Photography, we offer specialist camera insurance that you can tailor to fit your exact requirements.

We cover your camera and accessories (including mobile phones and laptops) for accidental damage and theft. We even offer European and Worldwide cover, meaning you’re covered wherever you are.

Find out more about our camera insurance by clicking the link above, or get an instant online quote and see what we can do for you.