Butterfly watching in the UK has been on a steady increase in the past decade. While it was once a very niche area of interest, this has changed and now taking a holiday with the purpose to catching a glimpse of some of the 59 species that breed in the British Isles is very common. In fact, a butterfly themed holiday is a great way in which to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise and bask in the summer sunshine and surroundings of the countryside.
Bursting into life during the warmer months, butterflies are normally only seen once the temperature rises above 10 degrees, with the popular holiday months of June, July and August offering some of the best butterfly sightings.
With beautiful locations to spot butterflies from Devon to Cumbria, the UK is not short of holiday destinations that provide the perfect habitat for attracting butterflies. Here are our top 6 recommendations:
Coleton Fishacre Garden, Devon – Scenic and tranquil RHS accredited gardens that have been a butterfly watchers paradise since the 1920’s, Coleton Fishacre is found near Dartmouth in the county of Devon on England’s south coast. Here visitors can spot a variety of butterflies including Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral and Painted Lady, as well as rarer species such as the Monarch butterfly which can often be seen in the Autumn months. This beautiful coastal area with a micro-climate is a haven for wildlife and a fantastic place to have a picnic during spring and summer when the weather is at its best.
Stackpole Warren and Cliffs, Pembrokeshire – A place that features dramatic scenery of cliffs, dunes and coastal grassland, Stackpole Warren and Cliffs in Pembrokeshire is a great place to view some of the butterfly’s native to the UK. Our only Welsh entry on the list but one where you can spot Grayling, Common Blue and Brown Argus that can all be found within the area and migrant species such as Clouded Yellow have been spotted too. With long stretches of beach and 8 miles of coastline, the area is a fine choice for a family day out in the popular holiday destination of Pembrokeshire.
The Langdale Pikes, Cumbria – Set in the north-west of England, the Langdale Pikes have spectacular views over rugged hills, rolling valleys and of course UK native butterflies. Perhaps the best time to visit the area is during June and July when the elusive Mountain Ringlet can be spotted if you are lucky. While the selection isn’t great in terms of the species you can find (the Small Heath is the only other variety in the area), the chance to see a rare breed in such an expansive area makes the Langdale Pikes in Cumbria a must visit location for butterfly enthusiasts.
Whipsnade Down, Bedfordshire – Made up of chalk grassland, pleasant walkways and also three sites of scientific interest (SSSI), the Dunstable Downs are a great place to view butterflies in the east of England. Whipsnade Down in particular allows visitors to see the Duke of Burgundy and Grizzled Skipper butterflies in the early summer months, while there are also Marbled Whites as well as Dark-green Fritillary’s there too throughout the season. This area in Bedfordshire has miles of footpaths and some interesting plant life so it is perfect for a day out with the family and your pets.
Wester Moss, Stirling – With some of the best wildlife in the UK and large open spaces that are perfect for butterflies, we couldn’t leave Scotland off our list. It might not feature the wide variety of butterflies that many other places do, however it has great breeding grounds for UK species. Wester Moss in Stirling, just above Glasgow, is one of the few places left north of the border that has lowland raised bogs. Here you can see Large Heath butterflies in the summer months with Orange Underwing and Grass Weave’s on show as well.
Bookham Common in Surrey – During June, July and August Bookham Common is the perfect place to see one of the UK’s most prestigious butterflies – the Purple Emperor. The easily recognizable butterfly is perhaps not the easiest to find at times, however, it is certainly worth it in the end. The area features a variety of landscapes from ancient woods to open grasslands and you can also spot the White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary in the area. Bookham Common is a tranquil and peaceful area that is one of the best places to view native butterflies south of London.
The UK is a great natural habitat for butterflies and a holiday provides the perfect opportunity for spotting them whilst you have plenty of time on your hands. Whether you want to just do some casual spotting whilst you are out walking; or want to try spotting some of the rarest species, the UK provides plenty of great opportunities.
Great tips for butterfly spotting:
- Butterflies thrive in many different environments from coastal cliffs to rolling flower meadows. Before you set off on your holidays, do a little research about the area you are visiting to find out what species you are likely to see and the best places to spot them.
- Plants that attract butterflies are great places to start spotting. Buddleja (commonly known as the Butterfly Bush); Lavender, Golden Rod and Marjoram are just a few of the many plants that attract butterflies.
- Treat yourself to a good book on Butterflies that will provide lots of useful information about the different species and good photographs to help with identification.
- Take binoculars so you are able to view the shyer ones at a distance and your camera to capture the sighting.
- When approaching butterflies, do so in a graceful fashion, slowly and quietly. Avoid jerky movements and try not to over-shadow a butterfly.
- Encourage the children to get involved in the activity – it can provide hours of penny-free entertainment; keep the kids interested on a walk and be educational. Why not take a scrap book away for the kids to record their sightings, drawings and photographs. You could even devise a check-list with photographs of all the butterflies in the local area and a prize for the first one to spot them all!