Ulwell Holiday Park is the perfect base for a wildlife watching holiday in Dorset. Read on to discover the best places to spot wildlife near Swanage, along with the animals you may encounter!
Please note, that by visiting these attractions, there is no guarantee that you’ll see the wildlife mentioned in this blog. Many of the animals appear seasonally, whilst others will only appear at certain times of the day.
Durlston Country Park and Nature Reserve
Located a stone’s throw away from Ulwell Holiday Park, Durlston Country Park offers a delightful day out for all those wishing to spot wildlife in Swanage. There are a host of species that thrive within the 320 acre nature reserve, including dolphins, seals, foxes, peregrine falcons, kestrels, stonechats, wheatears, and a variety of butterflies and insects!
Take a look at Durlston’s website to see daily sighting reports from the park rangers. You can also join the exclusive ‘first to know’ list, so that you’re notified whenever there’s a rare sighting!
RSPB Arne Nature Reserve
RSPB Arne is a large nature reserve compromising of heathland, woodland, mudflats and wetland! With a number of trails for all abilities available, the RSPB Arne Nature Reserve is the perfect day-out for wildlife lovers holidaying at Ulwell! As a result of the variety of habitats, the nature reserve in Arne is inhabited by a diverse population of animals including Deer, wild boar, spoonbills, avocets, ospreys, nightjars, Dartford warblers – as well as various species of dragonflies and butterflies! Walk to one of the hides and spend an afternoon with your binoculars – you never know what you might see!
Studland Heath National Nature Reserve
The Studland Heath National Nature Reserve is well worth a visit if you’re looking to spot wildlife whilst on holiday in Swanage! This protected area of land is home to a wide variety of wildlife, which you may spot whilst walking the scenic three-mile walk around the beautiful the nature reserve. Such wildlife include reptiles (including sand lizards and snakes) as well as various species of birds such as Dartford warblers, stonechats, and woodlarks.
Interestingly, the Studland Heath National Nature Reserve is also home to Sika Deer! Sika Deer are a native deer to Japan (and other parts of Eastern Asia), however they were introduced to the UK in 1860 and can only be found in a number of areas including Cumbria, New Forest and Dorset!
Old Harry Rocks
When many people think of Swanage, they think of Old Harry Rocks – and it’s easy to see why! This striking chalk formation along the cliffs of Dorset is incredibly striking – what’s more, Old Harry marks the most Easterly point of the Jurassic Coast.
From this excellent vantage point it is sometimes possible to see guillemots, razorbills, and gulls, as well as dolphins and seals in the surrounding waters. Do be careful to stay away from the edge!
Swanage Bay, Beach and Pier
If you’d like to view the marine life that thrives along the Swanage coastline – we highly recommend visiting Swanage bay, the beach and the pier! Such marine animals that live in and around the waters of Swanage include dolphins, seals, seabirds including gannets, fulmars, and cormorants! There have also been the occasional sighting of basking sharks and sunfish off the Swanage coast too.
Although you may be able to spot a number of these creatures from the land, the best chance you have to see native marine life is by embarking on a boat trip. There are a number of boat trips, including wildlife tours, that set off from Swanage Pier that allow guests to be in with the best chance of spotting a few animals – and even a dolphin or two if you’re lucky.
Campsite and Holiday Park in Swanage
Ulwell Holiday Park is situated in an idyllic location just a short walk from Swanage beach and town centre. From the park you can access a network of scenic walking trails providing plenty of wildlife watching opportunities. Our family-friendly and dog-friendly campsite has a wide selection of accommodation to choose from, including luxury holiday homes, caravan and motorhome pitches, camping pitches and even a rustic glamping pod!
To secure your camping holiday in Swanage, you can book your accommodation at Ulwell Holiday Park online or by calling our friendly reception team at 01929 422823.
