Wildlife Watching – Did you know?

Wold Escapes is located perfectly for you to enjoy all that is on offer in the amazing Yorkshire Nature Triangle – bringing together some of the UK’s unrivalled wildlife experiences, from ‘seabird cities’ to red kites, otters and even whale watching.

KINGS OF THE RIVER – 15 mins drive

Almost right on our doorstep, Tophill Low Nature Reserve is a huge wetland haven nestling in the Wolds. Visit quiet lagoons for a glimpse of a kingfisher, water vole or otter and stake out the meadows for barn owls, butterflies, dragonflies and the elusive grass snake. In winter, Tophill comes alive as thousands of brightly dressed ducks drop in from northern Europe, with marsh harriers and the occasional osprey in spring and autumn often adding to the unexpected surprises.

PUFFINS DRESSED FOR DINNER – 30 mins drive

From April to July, these colourful characters in their black and white dinner jackets make a home in the ‘seabird cities’ of RSPB Bempton Cliffs & Seabird Centre is also home to our largest seabird, the gannet – and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s (YWT) Flamborough Cliffs with the two world-renowned spots together hosting 250,000 globe-trotting seabirds.

A WHALE OF A TIME – 1 hour

Once a home to whale hunters, Whitby now play’s host to Yorkshire’s growing reputation as a place to see these magnificent marine mammals. Every August – October, but peaking in September, minke whales grow in numbers as they feed on herring offshore. Join a trip where porpoises, dolphins and seals add to the cast of potential stars beneath the waves.  Our friends Yorkshire Coast Nature also offer seabird and whale watching trips.

SUPERB SPURN – 1.5 hours drive

Big skies and ever changing wildlife make the evocative landscape of Spurn one of the most iconic nature reserves.  With a true windswept, wilderness feel and the sense that you can get away from anything, Spurn really is Yorkshire’s ‘Lands End’.  The iconic and constantly moving peninsula which curves between the North Sea and the Humber Estuary is over three miles long but as little as 50 metres wide, this landscape is unique and ever-changing.

Spurn has an extensive human history, leaving a legacy of fascinating but derelict buildings and hidden structures, but Spurn remains, and will always be, an utterly wild place. Always at the mercy of the elements, no two days at Spurn are ever the same.

A little further…

The Humber Estuary is home to avocets, bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and peregrines plus much more besides – all within an easy day’s trip from your base at Wold Escapes.

Not sure where to start?

Visit the Welcome to Yorkshire website for plenty of inspiration on what to do and where to go.  We also have plenty of leaflets for attractions around the area in our relaxing living room at Wold Escapes which you can peruse at your leisure.