By BBC Wildlife Magazine

Published: Thursday, 15 December 2022 at 12:00 am

To celebrate BBC Wildlife magazine’s 60th birthday, we asked 60 people from our wonderful network of writers, presenters, photographers and conservationists to share their favourite places in the UK for wildlife. Four of those places are in the north of England.

This beautiful corner of the UK is famous for its beautiful, emote and wild countryside, all teeming with wildlife. Vote for the one you love the most from the list below.

(Voting closes at midnight 10 March 2023)

Our favourite wildlife destinations in the North

Farne Islands,  Northumberland

One of my favourite places for wildlife in the UK is a group of islands off the Northumberland coast where, in spring, you are guaranteed to see puffins. But puffins are not the only A-listers. The Farnes support a cast of thousands: razorbills, guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, terns, grey seals and so much more.

Winter Hill, Greater Manchester

When I climb to the summit of Winter Hill, which dominates the Smithills Estate, I feel like I’m on top of the world. Wildlife to look out for includes deer, common lizards and cuckoos, while walking through woodlands replete with wonderful fungi, trees and plants. I’ll never forget seeing two glorious lapwings swirling in the skies one afternoon, singing their hearts out above the wild west Pennine moors. It was a sight and sound that made my heart soar.

Brockholes, Lancashire

A vast quarry in its former life, Brockholes is now a thriving 100ha nature reserve and wild haven right next to the M6 and River Ribble, managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. It’s a wonderful place to connect with nature, and I particularly enjoy reading all the latest sightings in the bird hide. Ospreys are seen relatively often, though I haven’t managed to spot one yet. I have, however, seen kestrels, herons, deer and my first ever weasel (a lucky encounter) at Brockholes.

Tidal River Tees, Middlesbrough

When I was growing up on Teesside in the 1980s, the tidal Tees was the UK’s most polluted river. Today, it’s very different. Grey seals bob, cormorants dry their wings, skuas and terns fly overhead and, at the transporter bridge, otters feast on salmon. This burgeoning of life in what was a poisoned wasteland shows how we can restore nature.