Particularly if you live in a town or city, it can be easy to forget that parts of the UK are home to some outstanding natural beauty, and a wide variety of wild animals. Though we’re all stuck inside for the moment, car leasing firm LeaseCar have put together an animal spotting roadtrip route around the UK - meaning you’ve got plenty of time to plan your post-lockdown adventure.
. Golden eagle in winter
The best places to see the most ‘exotic’ wildlife in the UK Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
. Humpback whales
You’ll need to head to Scotland if you want to lay your eyes on a humpback whale or two, but there’s a fair bit of choice once you’re there. The best places to spot them are Newburgh in Fife, the Moray Firth, Stoer Head lighthouse, the Hebrides and the Shetland Islands. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
. Red squirrels
At one time red squirrels would have been a common site all over the country, but they’ve increasingly been forced out by invasive grey squirrels. You can still see the native red in a number of places, though, including Smardale Gill and Wreay Wood in Cumbria, Brownsea Island in Dorset, Freshfield Dune heath in Lancashire and Loch of the Lower in Perthshire. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
. Seals
Significant numbers of both the grey seal and the common, or bearded, seal call the UK home. They can be found relatively easily on the Orkney Islands, Blakeney and Horsey Gap in Norfolk, Donna Nook in Lincolnshire, the Farne Islands in Northumberland, Moray Firth, Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire and Falmouth in Cornwall. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
1. Humpback whales
You’ll need to head to Scotland if you want to lay your eyes on a humpback whale or two, but there’s a fair bit of choice once you’re there. The best places to spot them are Newburgh in Fife, the Moray Firth, Stoer Head lighthouse, the Hebrides and the Shetland Islands. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
2. Red squirrels
At one time red squirrels would have been a common site all over the country, but they’ve increasingly been forced out by invasive grey squirrels. You can still see the native red in a number of places, though, including Smardale Gill and Wreay Wood in Cumbria, Brownsea Island in Dorset, Freshfield Dune heath in Lancashire and Loch of the Lower in Perthshire. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
3. Seals
Significant numbers of both the grey seal and the common, or bearded, seal call the UK home. They can be found relatively easily on the Orkney Islands, Blakeney and Horsey Gap in Norfolk, Donna Nook in Lincolnshire, the Farne Islands in Northumberland, Moray Firth, Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire and Falmouth in Cornwall. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
4. Dolphins
As one of the smartest sea-dwelling creatures in the world, it’s no wonder that many dolphins choose to spend their time around the UK’s beautiful coastlines. Head to any of the following places for a good shot at seeing them in the wild: Cardigan Bay, Orkney, Shetland, Point Lynas and Puffin Island in Anglesey, Berry Head in Devon, Land’s End Peninsula and St Ives Bay in Cornwall, and the Dartmouth coast. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock