Flourishing flora, adorable animals – the UK’s home to some wonderful wildlife, and it’s not just confined to the countryside. Our cities are home to many popular zoos but there’s also many ways to discover the beauty of nature in places a little less busy, and not nearly as expensive. For a slice of natural paradise among the concrete streets of the city, here’s the Travelodgical guide to exploring the urban jungle.
London
Busy streets and towering skyscrapers might make London feel a million miles from the natural world, but look a little closer and you’ll see a city bursting with wildlife. The capital’s home to picturesque river walks, stunning parks and one of the greatest collections of natural history the world has to offer.
- City Farms: Urban Hackney and bustling Kentish Town might be the last places you’d expect to see farm animals, but London’s city farms are bringing sheep, pigs, ducks and geese to heart of the capital. The city boasts an increasing number of great city farms, where you’ll be able to meet, feed and admire a wide variety of animals.
- See how nature’s evolved at the Natural History Museum: One of the world’s most impressive and famous museums, the Natural History Museum is home to an enormous collection of fossils and specimens from the natural world. The museum’s crowning glory is its incredible dinosaur exhibition, which provides interactive displays, lifelike dinosaurs and a range of fossils dating back millions of years.
- St James’s Park: Whether you’re climbing the hills of Hampstead Heath or exploring historic Kensington Gardens, you’ll fall in love with London’s sprawling green spaces. For a truly unique experience, head to St James’s Park – home to the famous resident pelicans that have lived there for over 400 years. These friendly birds mostly live on the lake but are known to mingle with visitors alongside the many ducks, geese and squirrels with whom they share their home.
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Edinburgh
The Scottish capital is known across the globe for its rich history and vibrant, energetic atmosphere, but also offers plenty of ways to discover the beauty of nature. With pretty river walks, idyllic parks and even an enchanting secret garden, Edinburgh’s a city full of surprises.
- Take a stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway: Snaking through the city for 12 miles, you’re sure to spot much beautiful wildlife with a stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway. Winding its way past the dramatic Thomas Telford bridge, keep your eyes peeled for herons, kingfishers, roe deer and even the occasional family of otters, as well as gorgeous woods and wildflowers.
- Discover the beauty of Dr Neil’s Garden: Known by locals as Edinburgh’s Secret Garden, Dr Neil’s Garden is the perfect place to unwind among the beauty of nature. Located in idyllic Duddingston just a short distance from the heart of Edinburgh, this dreamy labour of love was created by husband and wife Nancy and Andrew Neil. You’ll see why they were so passionate about the project, as you explore an area full of colourful flowers and tranquil woodland.
- See the flowers at Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh: Set just 15 minutes from the city centre, the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh is home to 70 acres of rare plants, beautiful flowers and specialist gardens – an amazing slice of paradise in the heart of a lively city. As well as the outdoor wildlife to discover, the Botanical Garden also hosts a gorgeous Victorian Palm House, which is the tallest in Britain.
Cardiff
Wales is a country renowned for its stunning countryside, so it’s only natural that its capital should be awash with natural beauty as well. If you’re looking to discover the charm of rural Welsh life without heading out to the countryside, you’re in luck – Cardiff is teaming with gorgeous woodland, tranquil canals and friendly city farms.
- See the wildlife at Glamorgan Canal Nature Reserve: Glamorgan Canal Nature Reserve gives visitors a chance to discover country life without leaving the city. Take a walk around and feel your worries melt away as you relax amongst the trees, flowers and woodlands. Make sure you keep an eye out for the local wildlife – the nature reserve is home to Kingfishers, Herons and more.
- Meet the animals at Cefn Mably Farm Park: Set just 15 minutes from Cardiff’s busy city centre is Cefn Mably Farm Park, a charming city farm that takes life at an altogether slower pace. Offering entry from just £4 per adult, the farm allows you to get up close and personal with a wide variety of farm animals, and without breaking the bank. Expect to meet and feed sheep, pigs, ponies and more.
- Watch the leaping Salmon on the River Taff: Watching Salmon leaping from the water and soaring through the air is one of the natural world’s greatest and most exciting treats, and you don’t even need to leave the city to see it. Head to the Blackweir area of the River Taff, located near the city centre, and drink in a stunning show of nature at its best for absolutely free.
