The British Isles offer a wealth of incredible bird watching opportunities, from dramatic coastal seabird colonies and majestic birds of prey to the vibrant birdlife found in woodlands, farmland, and countryside landscapes.
We’ve handpicked a collection of outstanding holiday cottages, perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends, that provide an ideal base for discovering the UK’s rich bird and wildlife. Each property is thoughtfully chosen for its proximity to renowned birdwatching locations, such as RSPB reserves, remote mountainous regions, and breathtaking wetlands, ensuring you’re never far from nature’s finest spectacles.
You can view all our bird watching holiday cottages here.
Located just 15 miles from RSPB Minsmere, The Cart House is a stunning holiday home offering wonderful countryside views. With a spacious, beautifully furnished open-plan living area and a cosy wood-burning stove, it’s the perfect retreat for a family or group of friends looking to enjoy all that rural Suffolk has to offer.
During your stay, you could also book a boat trip from nearby Orford Quay, where you’ll have the chance to spot the area’s famous avocets at the RSPB’s Havergate Island.
See more holiday cottages near RSPB Minsmere.
Signal Box is a charming holiday home, designed in the style of a traditional signal box, set beside the station in the village of Newtonmore. To make the most of the stunning views across the River Spey and towards the Cairngorm Mountains, the property has reverse-level accommodation, along with a sauna to help you unwind after a day of exploring.
The Cairngorms offer plenty of wonderful bird watching opportunities, with the chance to spot remarkable Scottish wildlife such as crested tits, Scottish crossbills, capercaillies, and, if you’re lucky, a majestic golden eagle.
See more holiday cottages in the Cairngorms.
Adjoining Glassonby Old Hall, Elk Cottage is an award-winning barn conversion dating back to the 1600s, with plenty of original features such as exposed beams, open fireplaces, and stone walls. Tastefully decorated with antiques and comfortable furnishings, the cottage is perfectly positioned for exploring the stunning Lake District landscapes
Just a 30-minute drive away, RSPB Haweswater offers fantastic bird watching opportunities, where you might spot ravens and ring ouzels over the crags, great crested grebes and pochards on the reservoir, and goldcrests and linnets in the woodland.
Norfolk is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a diverse range of habitats supporting an impressive variety of species. For a romantic getaway, Honeybee Retreat, set on a working farm, is perfectly located for visiting the WWT Welney Wetland Centre, home to waders such as redshanks, lapwings, snipes, and black-tailed godwits. It’s also one of the few places in England where you might spot cranes, with flocks reaching up to 40 individuals.
The beautifully furnished, hand-built studio-style pod offers everything you need for a self-catering stay, including a hot tub, the perfect spot to unwind after a day exploring the surrounding countryside.
See more holiday cottages in Norfolk.
Located in the south of Snowdonia National Park, The Showman’s Wagon offers couples a truly unique bird watching escape.
Originally a 1950s fairground travelling van, it has been thoughtfully renovated to provide everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a cosy sitting room with a wood-burning stove, a well-equipped kitchen, and a gas barbecue for al fresco dining while soaking up the stunning mountain views.
The wagon is just 25 miles from RSPB Ynys-hir, where you’ll find an abundance of birdlife, including waders, ducks, and geese. For woodland species and the chance to spot iconic red kites, head to the nearby Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
See more holiday cottages near RSPB Ynys-hir.
Nestled in a beautiful, peaceful, and unspoilt corner of the Cornish coast, Seashell Beach House is a luxurious holiday retreat, perfect for families or groups of friends in search of outdoor adventure.
The spacious, open-plan living area leads out to a generous outdoor space designed for entertaining, complete with a hot tub, sauna, barbecue, and pizza oven. Whether you’re heading out for coastal walks, diving into watersports, or simply unwinding on the beach, the location offers it all.
Just under four miles away, you’ll find the RSPB Hayle Estuary. Its mudflats and tidal lagoons are a haven for birdlife throughout the year, attracting waders such as ruffs, little egrets, and sandpipers, as well as sea ducks like eiders and long-tailed ducks.
Beacon Heights is a luxurious holiday home set in the pretty coastal village of Flamborough. Just 750 metres from the famous white chalk cliffs, it offers bracing walks and fantastic bird watching opportunities. Nearby, RSPB Bempton Cliffs is one of the best places to witness vast colonies of seabirds, including gannets, kittiwakes, puffins, and guillemots, gathering to breed throughout spring and summer, while a woodland walk to the beach at Danes Dyke gives you the chance to spot owls and kestrels along the way.
The contemporary cottage has a wood-burning stove, perfect for cosy nights in, and the lively resorts of Bridlington, Scarborough, and Filey are all within easy reach when you’re ready to explore further.
