Explore countryside and woodland
Get closer to nature and explore hundreds of outdoor places. We've got miles of hillsides and woodland waiting to be discovered.
Wild places to get away from it all
We live in an increasingly populated and urban country, but there are still areas of wilderness where you can get away from it all. We’ve picked some of the best islands, rolling hills and coastal wild places in our care for you to explore.
- Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk
- At the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Blakeney National Nature Reserve has wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the coastline. The salt marshes provide a busy habitat for a range of residential and migratory birds and the area is also home to England's largest grey seal colony.Visit Blakeney National Nature Reserve
- Brownsea Island, Dorset
- It may be located within Poole Harbour, but Brownsea's island location and dense woodland makes it feel like it's miles away from the mainland. Take a quick boat ride to explore this thriving habitat, bustling with red squirrels and various birds, including oystercatchers and kingfishers.Visit Brownsea Island
- Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd, Shropshire
- Take in scenic views across the Shropshire Hills and beyond from this wildlife-rich heathland. You don’t have to venture far to find solitude and you can even spot the Milky Way at night. Take a stroll through Carding Mill Valley or follow the more rugged route to the top of the hill.Visit Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd
- Crom, County Fermanagh
- Escape to the shores of Upper Lough Ernes and immerse yourself in Crom's tranquillity. Find historic ruins dotted among the peaceful woodlands and small islands that make up this ancient landscape. If you're lucky, you may even spot an elusive pine marten.Visit Crom
- Divis and the Black Mountain, County Antrim
- Take a short trip from Belfast city centre to the heart of the wilderness at Divis and the Black Mountain. The landscape is a patchwork of grassland and heathland bog, hosting a wealth of wildlife including Irish hares and skylarks.Visit Divis and the Black Mountain
- Dartmoor, Devon
- Explore the woodland and rock formations of Dartmoor, where you can walk along the banks of various rivers, including the Teign, Bovey and Plym. You can also choose a more challenging walk across the open moorland from Cadover Bridge in the upper Plym area.Visit Cadover Bridge
- Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
- Discover the peace and quiet of Dunwich Heath, an ideal place for spending time in nature. A rare habitat known as coastal lowland heath, this remote area is home to many species, including Dartford warblers, nightjars, woodlarks and adders.Visit Dunwich Heath
- Ennerdale, Lake District
- With 30 miles of traffic-free pathways, experience one of the UK's longest-running wild land restoration projects in the Ennerdale Valley. Stroll along the lakeside, hike up to some of the most famous peaks in the Lake District or cycle through the forest.Visit Ennerdale
- Exmoor, Devon
- Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles of dramatic coastline, open moorland, ancient woods, rivers and streams. Take a hike across the landscape and among the stone circles and ruins of ancient inhabitants. Look out for wild ponies and the herds of red deer that roam the area.Visit Exmoor
- Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland
- Stretching 73 miles from the Solway Coast in Cumbria to Wallsend near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Hadrian's Wall is an ideal place to explore historic wild landscape and reconnect with nature.Visit Hadrian's Wall
- Kinder, Edale and the High Peak, Derbyshire
- Visit the valleys and hilltops of this rich moorland habitat to experience large open skies, dramatic sunsets and far-reaching horizons. Take a walk high on the windswept Kinder plateau, one of the upland areas of the gritstone Dark Peak. There's mysterious rock formations to explore here and wildlife to look out for.Visit Kinder Scout
- Mourne Mountains, County Down
- The highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland, the Mournes is a landmark of international importance. Its 12 peaks have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and have miles of footpaths to explore, and plenty to see and do.Visit the Mournes
- Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down
- This 6,000-year-old sand dune system became Ireland’s first nature reserve in 1967. Its location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains makes it excellent for walking and birdwatching. The dune fields are the best and most extensive example of a dune heath in Ireland, with more than 600 species of butterflies and moths, including the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.Visit Murlough National Nature Reserve
- Newtown National Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight
- On the Isle of Wight, chalky paths wind along stretches of coastline, once the scene of shipwrecks and smuggling. Explore ancient holloways and huge stretches of downland and heath with 360-degree views. We care for the island’s only National Nature Reserve at Newtown – a misty landscape where estuaries and old salt lagoons attract thousands of colourful visiting birds.Visit Newtown National Nature Reserve
- New Forest Northern Commons, Hampshire
- Find a moment of calm within the wide open spaces of the New Forest Northern Commons. Follow paths that wind through heather-scented landscapes, offering far-reaching views. You’ll also see little gravel streams that wind through valleys and woodland. Keep an eye out for ponies, ground-nesting birds and reptiles.Visit New Forest Northern Commons
- Orford Ness, Suffolk
- Orford Ness is a rare landscape made up of shingle ridges and valleys that have been deposited over centuries by the sea. Twenty per cent of Europe's vegetated shingle is found on Orford Ness, and it's home to wildlife such as wetland and wading birds, Chinese water deer and hares.Visit Orford Ness
- Trelissick, Cornwall
- Enjoy wilderness closer to civilisation at Trelissick. The estate has over 300 acres of diverse countryside for you to explore. You can venture out into secluded oak woodlands, stroll through panoramic parkland or take in the maritime views.Visit Trelissick
- Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
- Breathe in the fresh air at the UK's oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen. Follow the raised boardwalk through the serene wetlands that support an abundance of wildlife. Rarities like water voles and hen harriers can be spotted, while herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies are helping to create a diverse range of new habitats.Visit Wicken Fen
- Ysbyty Ifan, Conwy
- Explore 8,000 hectares of wild moorland at Ysbyty Ifan with its rolling hills, river and deciduous woodland. The village has one of the smallest populations in Wales, so if you're looking for peace and contemplation, you'll find it here in the countryside.Visit Ysbyty Ifan
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