Nationwide· 2 min read
Best Places to See Puffins, Seals & Red Squirrels in the UK
Where and when to see Britain's most-loved wildlife — puffins, grey seals, red squirrels and more — with the seasons, sites and honest viewing tips.
Some of the best days out in Britain are the ones where you go looking for a specific animal — and actually find it. Here's where and when to reliably see the UK's most-loved wildlife: puffins, seals, red squirrels and a few bonus species.
Puffins (spring–summer)
Puffins come ashore to breed from about April to late July. The best spots:
- Farne Islands (Northumberland) — boat trips from Seahouses land you among thousands of seabirds.
- RSPB Bempton Cliffs (Yorkshire) — clifftop viewing with no boat needed.
- Skomer Island (Pembrokeshire) — one of the best puffin colonies in Britain.
Seals (best in winter)
Grey seals are around all year, but the magic is pupping season, November to January, when white-coated pups line the beaches:
- Blakeney Point & Horsey (Norfolk) and Donna Nook (Lincolnshire) — huge, accessible colonies (viewed from a respectful distance/roped paths).
Red squirrels (year-round)
Britain's native red squirrel hangs on in a few strongholds:
- Formby (Merseyside), Brownsea Island (Dorset), the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and the Cairngorms.
Bonus sightings
- Wild dolphins — Chanonry Point (Moray Firth) and Cardigan Bay (Wales).
- Red deer rut — the New Forest, Richmond Park and the Scottish Highlands each autumn.
Watching wildlife responsibly
The golden rule: keep your distance and never feed or disturb — especially seal pups and nesting birds. Bring binoculars, move slowly and quietly, and let the animals come to you. Check tide and season before you go (puffins and seal pups are strictly seasonal), and follow any roped paths or ranger guidance at protected sites.
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