25+ of the best nature reserves to visit in the UK for 2024
East Anglia | Midlands | Northern Ireland | North East | North West | Scotland | South East | South West | Wales
Whilst camping, get lost in the Great British outdoors and discover a nature reserve near you.
Maintained by various bodies, such as the Wildlife Trust, RSPB and National Trust, nature reserves not only protect natural places and the wildlife that inhabits them, but they’re also open to the public so you can explore the beauty and uniqueness of each one. Check out our list of over 25 of the best nature reserves around the UK and our nearby Club Sites, so you can plan the perfect day out.
- Pensthorpe Natural Park, Norfolk
- RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve, Suffolk
- Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve, Peak District
- Alvecote Meadows Nature Reserve, Warwickshire
- Sutton Park National Nature Reserve, Midlands
- Rutland Water, Rutland
- The Stiperstones, Shropshire
- Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, South Yorkshire
- Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Binevenagh, County Londonderry
- The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
- Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire
- Donna Nook National Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire
- Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, Northumberland
- Salthill Quarry Nature Reserve, Lancashire
- South Walney Nature Reserve, Cumbria
- Smardale Gill, Cumbria
- Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Scotland
- Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, Highlands, Scotland
- Inversnaid Nature Reserve, Stirlingshire, Scotland
- Loch Garten, Highlands
- RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Essex
- Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve, Kent
- Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs Nature Reserve, Dorset
- Cabilla and Redrice Woods Nature Reserve, Cornwall
- Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve, Somerset
- Gilfach Nature Reserve, Powys
- Rhinog National Nature Reserve, North Wales
Nature Reserves in East Anglia
Located beside the meandering River Wensum, Pensthorpe Natural Park has won Norfolk's Best Large Attraction award multiple times and for a good reason. Explore over 700 acres of ancient woodland, tranquil lakes and pristine gardens - including the impressive Millennium Garden, designed by renowned plantsman Piet Oudolf.
Nearest campsite: Sandringham Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Norfolk.
In the wilderness of the Suffolk coast, RSPB Minsmere is home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife. Wander through the various landscapes, including heathland, grassland, wetland and woodland. Keep an eye out for the birdlife that inhabits the coastline, including avocets, bitterns, harriers and nightingales.
Nearest campsite: Kessingland Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Suffolk.
Nature Reserves in the Midlands
Lying among the rolling hills of the Peak District National Park, the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve comprises five individual limestone valleys. In June, walk up Lathkill Dale for spectacular views of the winding river and a vibrant display of blue-coloured Jacob's ladder.
Nearest campsite: Bakewell Club Site (5 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Derbyshire.
Located in Warwickshire, 3km north-east of Tamworth, sits Alvecote Meadows. The stunning greenland is great for birdwatchers, family picnics and peaceful strolls. You can also experience a variety of wetland habitats, including wet grassland, marsh, open water and reed swamp filled with water mint, greater pond sedge and common flea-bane.
Nearest campsite: Drayton Manor Club Site (17 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Warwickshire.
Sutton Park sits in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, and consists of 2400 acres of stunning greenery and wildlife. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe, and it’s designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing picnic or stroll, and whilst you’re there, you may even see cattle and wild ponies walking through.
Nearest campsite: Drayton Manor Club Site (15 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Birmingham.
Set in the heart of the East Midlands, Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe. Whilst visiting the nature reserve, you can enjoy watersport activities, cycle around the lake or enjoy some peaceful time fishing.
Click here for more campsites in Rutland.
The Stiperstones, which make up the ridge, were shattered during the last ice age to create the jagged landscape we see today. Not only does this nature reserve make for a great walk and perfect cycle, but the views from the top are also worth the trek.
Nearest campsite: Ebury Hill Club Site (38 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Shropshire.
Wyming Brook’s twisting streams, mossy crags and sweet-smelling pines are protected today as a valuable home to the area's stunning wildlife. If you’re in the area, take a stroll down one of its many trails, and you’ll quickly see why this has been given a Green Flag Award for one of the very best green spaces in the UK.
Nearest campsite: Crowden Club Site (45 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Derbyshire.
Nature Reserves in Northern Ireland
Situated in a sloping valley in the rolling Belfast Hills, around 10 miles from the Northern Irish capital, Slievenacloy is a stunning nature reserve and grassland rich with wildlife. Offering breathtaking views of five of Northern Ireland's six counties, Slievenacloy is a mosaic of meadows, rush pasture and moor grass.
Nearest campsite: Delamont Country Park Club Site (45 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Northern Ireland.
A hidden gem in Northern Ireland is the Binevenagh nature reserve. The six-mile-long plateau and cliffs of Binevenagh Mountain were formed 60 million years ago by molten lava and overlook Benone Strand with views of Lough Foyle and Donegal on a clear day. On the mountaintop, you’ll also find an artificial lake with rainbow trout.
Click here for more campsites in Northern Ireland.
Known to the Irish as the eighth wonder of the world, the Giant’s Causeway has 40,000 mostly hexagonal basalt columns descending gently into the sea. It’s a great educational experience and comes with the most spectacular scenery.
Click here for more campsites in Northern Ireland.
Nature Reserves in North East
With impressive views, a diversity of wildlife and trails for the whole family, Gibraltar Point is a great nature reserve to visit for everyone. It’s the perfect spot for bird watchers and, in the summer, makes for a lovely picnic spot. You can also visit during the cooler months. October is a wonderful time to walk to the tourist viewpoint and catch a glimpse of some birds of prey.
Nearest campsite: Mablethorpe Club Site (40 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Lincolnshire.
Covering more than six miles of Lincolnshire coastline between Saltfleet and Grainthorpe Haven, Donna Nook National Nature Reserve is an excellent day out for the whole family. In November and December, colonies of grey seals migrate to Donna Nook to give birth to their pups beside the sand dunes.
Nearest campsite: Mablethorpe Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Lincolnshire.
Marooned off the Northumberland coast and only accessible by causeway at low tide, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a dramatic and historic piece of British heritage. Covering over 3,500 hectares of dunes, salt marsh and mudflats, the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve was founded to protect essential wintering bird populations.
Nearest campsite: Beadnell Bay Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Northumberland.
Nature Reserves in North West
Once upon a time, Salthill Quarry lay at the bottom of an ocean. Today, this lofty nature reserve is a paradise for some of the country's most beautiful flora and fauna. Situated in the heart of the Lancashire countryside, Salthill Quarry is brimmed with blossoming wildflowers, skittering butterflies and swooping birds.
Nearest campsite: Clitheroe Club Site (10 minutes).
Click here for more campsites in Lancashire.
Boasting breath-taking views across Morecambe Bay, South Walney Nature Reserve is a shingle island close to the Lake District National Park. The island is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grey seals, oystercatchers, barn owls, peregrines and more.
Nearest campsite: Bowness on Windermere (50 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Cumbria.
From unusual plants to unique wildlife species, Smardale Gill Nature reserve offers a variety of things to do and see for the whole family. Smardale Nature Reserve consists of three separate nature reserves that cover 8km of the disused railway line that used to run from Tebay to Darlington. This makes for a picturesque background and a wonderful view.
Nearest campsite: Kendal Club Site (40 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Cumbria.
Nature Reserves in Scotland
Towering above Loch Maree in the Scottish Highlands, Beinn Eighe is the biggest of the three magnificent Torridon peaks. Covering 4,758 hectares, Beinn Eighe became Britain's first National Nature Reserve in 1951. Explore mountain peaks and ancient pinewoods, and keep an eye out for soaring crossbills and swooping golden eagles.
Nearest campsite: Inverewe Gardens Poolewe Club Site (35 minutes).Click here for more campsites in the Highlands.
Overlooking the shimmering waters of the Beauly Firth in North Scotland, Merkinch Local Nature Reserve is a hidden gem in the heart of Inverness. Teeming with wildlife such as roe deer, owls, weasels, cormorants and herons, Merkinch is a wonderful place for a walk or picnic.
Nearest campsite: Rosemarkie Club Site (25 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Inverness.
Perched on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain, Inversnaid Nature Reserve sits in one of the most picturesque landscapes in Scotland. Surrounded by the awe-inspiring peaks of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Inversnaid is a haven for birds, including warblers, twites, redstarts, flycatchers and grouses.
Nearest campsite: Milarrochy Bay Club Site (15 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Scotland.
Hidden within Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park is Loch Garten. It’s a great place to visit in warmer weather, and the pine scent fills the air as you walk through the forest and into the stunning reservoir. If you’re a birdwatcher, Loch Garten is a great place to spot a variety of birds, including Crested tit, Goldeneye, Osprey, Scottish crossbill and Capercaillie.
Nearest campsite: Tarland by Deeside (60 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Cairngorms National Park.
Nature Reserves in South East
Walking through the serenity of this RSPB reserve, you’d find it hard to believe that the bustling streets of London are just a few miles eastward along the Thames. Rainham Marshes provide an escape from the city and a haven for wildlife, including birds, water voles, dragonflies and more.
Nearest campsite: Kelvedon Hatch Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Essex.
Positioned just two miles west of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, Samphire Hoe is a nature reserve and country park created at the time of the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Combining dramatic views, wildflowers and peaceful walks, Samphire Hoe is an extraordinary part of the Great British coastline.
Nearest campsite: Canterbury Club Site (15 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Kent.
Nature Reserves in South West
Stretching five miles between the seaside town of Lyme Regis and the Dorset village of Axmouth, the Undercliffs are a National Nature Reserve due to the largest UK landslip. In springtime, woodland birds swoop above the reserve, and plants begin to bloom. You’ll spot several rare plants, such as Dogs Mercury and Purple Gromwell.
Nearest campsite: Charmouth Club Site (10 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Dorset.
Situated just three miles east of the historic Cornish town of Bodmin, the Cabilla and Redrice Woods are one of the finest ancient woodlands in the country. The reserve boasts an extensive range of forest, with ancient oak and hazel, as well as river and wetland belts.
Nearest campsite: Tregurrian Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Cornwall.
Part of the mystical Avalon Marshes in Somerset's historic Levels and Moors, Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve is a low-lying swampy area that provides a home for rare wildlife. Stretching over 500 hectares, Westhay Moor is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Nearest campsite: Cheddar Mendip Heights Club Site (30 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Somerset.
Nature Reserves in Wales
Sitting within the historic Welsh county of Radnorshire, Gilfach is an old hill farm offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Marteg Valley. Teeming with buzzing wildlife and fascinating history, Gilfach was once a working hill farm but is now a nature reserve popular with hikers, dog walkers and birdwatchers.
Nearest campsite: Wyeside Club Site (18 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Powys.
Sitting within the Snowdonia National Park, the Rhinogs, known locally as the Rhinogydd, are a range of lofty mountains in North Wales. Consisting of angular rocks and upland heath, the Rhinog National Nature Reserve has various pathways perfect for a challenging hike. Ascend the Roman Steps, originating from medieval drovers' routes and marvel at the surrounding views of the Welsh countryside.
Nearest campsite: Llanystumdwy Club Site (25 minutes).Click here for more campsites in Gwynedd.