Animal and Wildlife Days Out in Lancashire

There are a wide variety of animal and wildlife days out on offer in Lancashire. Just a short drive from our caravan site guests can enjoy nature reserves, zoological parks and a diverse range of habitats. Here we list just some of our favourites to visit during a stay at our Lancaster holiday park. They all offer a fantastic day out for the whole family!

Bowland Wild Boar Park

Photo credit: Andy Hay, Flickr

Visitors with young children are guaranteed a fun filled day out at Bowland Wild Boar Park. There’s so much to see and do that you can easily spend the whole day at this family attraction! The park is set in beautiful countryside location in the middle of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by stunning woodland and fells on all sides – the ideal destination for taking some time out to enjoy nature and the fresh air.

There are a wide range of animals available to see during your visit, including red deer, pigs, peacock, sheep, rabbits, emu, meerkats, llamas and of course, wild boar. It is possible to hold, pet and hand feed some of the animals – a fantastic experience not to be missed!

In addition to the animal activities, there is a large play area with slides, zip wires, climbing apparatus and swings. In the school holidays there are a range of fun driving experiences, including barrel rides, a tractor trailer ride and a miniature tank driving! If you’ve still got energy to burn there are also some beautiful walks of varying difficulty along the River Hodder

If the weather’s not playing ball, there’s no need to worry, there’s plenty to keep younger members of the family entertained indoors. There’s a selection of indoor games, colouring, skittles, darts, ball games and Jenga available to play.

Brockholes Nature Reserve

Photo credit: Timm Watts, Flickr

Brockholes Nature Reserve is one of our favourite wildlife days out in Lancashire. With so much to offer visitors of all ages, it certainly shouldn’t be missed during your stay at Moss Wood Caravan Park.

The Nature Reserve occupies a 250-acre site just off the M6 and is owned and managed by Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The site has beautiful lakes, ancient woodland and pretty riverside walks to explore, making it a must visit destination for keen birdwatchers and complete novices alike.

Dotted amongst the grounds you’ll find a number of marked paths and hides from which you can observe nature in all its glory. There are a variety of habitats on offer here, including reedbeds, marshland and gravel pits, which means it’s a haven for wildlife. Hundreds of species have been spotted including rare birds, butterflies, moths, invertebrate’s, frogs and more. You really must keep your eyes peeled; you never know what you might see!

The floating visitor centre is quite a spectacle in its own right and the first of its kind in the UK! It houses the Kestral Kitchen café where you get a delicious meal or a warming drink during your visit. There’s also a shop and specialist binoculars store, where you to upgrade your gear with assistance from helpful staff offering expert advice.

Photo credit: Dark Dwarf, Flickr

There’s an outdoor play park with zip wire where little ones can run around to their hearts content. Please note, entry is free however there is a small charge for parking. Brockholes Nature Reserve is a dog free zone.

Blackpool Zoo

Photo credit: Chris Hills, Flickr

Discover animals from all over the world at Blackpool Zoo. See elephants, tigers, gorillas, lions and many more species in spacious enclosures around the park’s grounds. There’s opportunity to get up close to some of the animals with specially designed walk through enclosures. You can also learn more about their mannerisms and native habitats through information boards and keeper talks.

Conservation is a priority at Blackpool zoo and keepers are involved in a number of international conservation programmes. The park aims to raise awareness of the plight of endangered animals wherever possible and endeavours to educate young and old about biodiversity and the threats to many animal’s habitats and wellbeing world-wide.

Photo credit: Tim Hoggarth, Flickr

As well as being an informative day out a trip to Blackpool Zoo offers fun for all ages. There’s plenty of activities to enjoy as a family, including numerous outdoor play areas and a miniature train that runs alongside some of the enclosures.

After a busy day exploring Blackpool Zoo, it’s more than likely you’ll fancy a bite to eat. Lake View Café offers a variety of hot and cold lunch options. There are also kiosks serving drinks, snacks and ice creams dotted around the park. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop on your way out – there are lots of animal themed souvenirs to commemorate your visit!

Bird watching in Lancashire

There are plenty of bird watching opportunities near our Lancaster caravan park. With an abundance of countryside and coastal landscapes on our doorstep, it’s no wonder Lancashire is a favourite destination for bird watching holidays in the UK.

One of the best spots is Morecombe bay, which is considered one of the most important habitats for birds in Europe. The wetlands have been designated a Special Protection Area and attract more than 250,000 birds each year. It is particularly important for wading birds such as oyster catchers, curlews and black-tailed godwits who reside here over winter whilst they shelter and conserve energy.

Photo credit: Ian Livesey, Flickr

Inland Leighton Moss RSPB nature reserve has earned national acclaim. The reed beds are home to a wide range of birdlife that draw visitors in their droves each year. Star species are avocets, bearded tits, bitterns and marsh harriers, which you may spot from one of the hides if you’re lucky. In the winter starling murmuration’s are a real spectacle to the eyes.

Mosswood Nature Trail

You don’t have to travel far for a wildlife day out – there is plenty to see at Mosswood Caravan Park! Take some time out during your visit to explore our holiday parks grounds. Follow the nature trail which showcases some of our flora and fauna and let us know what you see! Our stunning countryside location attracts a variety of birds and insects to the site. Previous guests have spotted bats, deer and even red squirrels!