Even as the weather gets colder, there’s still so much Winter Wildlife in England to enjoy. In fact, spotting local animals on a crisp, cold day is one of the best reasons to explore these destinations! Nature-lovers are sure to spot their favourite British wildlife while on tour with us throughout December, January and February. Read on to discover which species you should keep an eye out for and where to find them this winter.
Stonehenge
Located in the ancient open grassland of Salisbury Plains, Stonehenge has much to offer in terms of wildlife. Hooded crows live year-round at the stone circle, forming mated pairs over winter in preparation for breeding season in spring. Other corvids which migrate through this site include rooks, jackdaws and magpies! Also, you may hear the distinctive call of a skylark, or spot the v-shaped tail of a red kite soaring high above. Beyond birds, herds of local sheep and cows graze the grassland around the stone circle, managed by the National Trust.
Bath
Amongst the beautiful golden-stone Georgian buildings, you can also find some unexpected wildlife living in the city centre of Bath. The River Avon is the centre of activity, with great viewpoints from Parade Gardens, Pulteney Bridge and the riverbank trail. Here, you can see elegant swans gliding around the weir and cormorants drying their wings in the trees. If you’re extremely lucky, you may even spot some otters! After efforts to improve water quality, a family of otters has moved in. Another distinctive winter sight is mistletoe, with its green circular clumps and white berries dotting trees throughout the city.
Cotswolds
This lovely countryside is home to a huge variety of species who dwell in the patchwork fields and cosy hedgerows. While driving over the rolling hills, watch for brown hares or muntjack, small deer introduced to Britain in the 1800s. In the charming villages, you can find stone cottages covered in evergreen ivy and gardens of small native birds. One of the most iconic is the robin, with its bright-red breast standing out against wintery surroundings. Also, when near village rivers like the Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water, look out for water birds like mallards, gulls and moorhens.
Oxford
Although the city centre is mostly made of densely-packed gothic buildings, Oxford has various patches of green space, too. One of the best is Christ Church Meadow, an open pasture home to the River Thames and the River Cherwell. You can enjoy the sights of river-birds like kingfishers and herons alongside the impressive Longhorn cattle who graze the meadow. And for a Christmassy feeling, visit the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Here, the Acer Glade and Holly Walk are perfect places to snap a colourful seasonal selfie.
Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are known for both their stunning scenery and bountiful wildlife, protected in a nature reserve. Exmoor ponies, a mountain and moorland breed native to the British Isles, graze the clifftops and maintain the ecosystem. Seabirds like fulmars and auks dive from the cliffs into the waves, while peregrine falcons hover and hunt overhead. Excitingly, red-billed choughs were reintroduced in 2023, returning to the cliffs for the first time in 200 years. You can even find species from millions of years ago if you go fossil-hunting on the beaches!
Canterbury
The pretty mediaeval city of Canterbury is home to cobbled streets, a majestic cathedral, and plentiful British wildlife. The canal network snaking throughout the city is ideal for spotting water voles, who can be seen on the riverbanks. In the south-west lies Hambrook Marshes, a 50-acre wetland which floods in winter, providing habitat for migratory birds. Even in the city centre, the many parks contain small native birds like pied wagtails and goldfinches. Furthermore, the nearby Blean Woodland Complex has a herd of reintroduced European bison!
Book your tour to see Winter Wildlife in England!
There’s so much amazing winter wildlife in England to see throughout the colder season. The easiest way to get around the country is to hop on one of our brilliant tours! Your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to all the local animals at the exciting destinations. Make sure to wrap up well and pack your binoculars!
If you would like to see any of the places mentioned above with your own eyes, then check out our great Day Tours from London. We hope to see you on tour soon.
