Have you been entranced by the wonderful wildlife David Attenborough and the Wild Isles photographers have brought to your screen? Now’s your chance to visit some of those areas featured and see some of the wildlife first-hand. Listed below are independent hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns, all offering great value accommodation in or close to the areas filmed in the Wild Isles series.
See these great value self-catering places to stay, close to the locations filmed in the Wild Isles series.
Accommodation close to Wilds Isles locations as featured on the BBC series
Image : Sir David Attenborough with Wildlife Trust staff on Skomer Island. Picture by : Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.Skomer Island, located off the coast of Wales, is home to thousands of Puffins, Manx Shearwaters and a diverse range of wildlife..
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Image: Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Uyeasound.cc-by-sa2.0 - Credit to Mike Pennington, geograph.org.uk.
In 1993 a pod of Orca were repeatedly beaching in Uyeasound close to Gardiesfold Hostel. They were accompanying an ill animal which later died; as soon as the sick animal was removed, the rest of the pod returned to sea.
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Red Kites are now common here as are raven, and we have a hen harrier’s nest. The waders, curlew, oystercatchers, & lapwing have arrived, and the black grouse will soon start lecking. Golden Eagles are spotted next door, in Glenclova, but rarely come over us here, in 70 years I’ve twice seen one in our glen. First time it was being buzzed by several buzzards & I suspect they may deter them, though the buzzards seem to fly happily with the red kites.
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Ballater is an excellent base to explore the Cairngorms. These mountains and national park support the largest remains of the Caledonian forest, an ancient native pine woodland, recently reinhabited by Golden Eagles.
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Just a mile from South Downs Eco Lodge runs the Meon River. A classic Chalk Stream that springs up, filtered through the chalk to produce clear, beautiful stretches of water. This mineral-rich water is a unique habitat supporting swaths of White Crowfoot flowers loved by Damselfly, Minows, Brown Trout, and King Fishers as featured by David Attenborough. Find out more at the Sustainability Centre home of the Eco Lodge.
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Stay at Camp Hillcrest and follow in the footsteps of David Attenborough. His Wild Isles series featured the fauna and flora of the Forest of Dean, where England meets Wales. This is an area of timeless beauty and untamed nature. This ancient forest will entrance you throughout the year. In springtime, you will be bowled over by the snowdrops, bluebells and primroses, and as the seasons progress the forest and its inhabitants change. Every time of the year is uniquely captivating in this truly amazing and often forgotten corner of the country
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Andy, host of Fraoch Lodge, designs and leads an extensive collection of guided and self-guided tours. These are hiking tours not wildlife safaris, but It's your sure way of seeing the very best parts of the Cairngorms National Park. Follow in the footsteps of the BBC Wild Isles film crew and immerse yourself in the Caledonian pinewoods. Visit wildlife hides to spot pine martens and badgers and look skyward to see the amazing birdlife that shares this magnificent area. For more information about the tours that Andy offers contact Froach Lodge.
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Flocks of geese fly directly over Argyll Backpacker, which is on the last peninsula of land before the Isle of Islay. Book a stay at the start or end of their season on Islay and watch them from the Hostel and the waters Loch Fyne just opposite.
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The hidden gem of Maentwrog Bunkhouse puts you in the perfect place to explore the mysteries of a temperate rain forest in Wales. Visit Coed Felenrhyd & Llennyrch, a rare Atlantic Oak woodland sitting above Vale of Ffestiniog and fringed by the dramatic waterfalls of the Afon Prysor gorge. Explore its atmospheric pools and take in dramatic views of Snowdon to the north and the rugged uplands of the Rhinog mountains to the south. Enjoy a real taste of our Wild Isles.
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Scattered a couple of miles off the Northumberland coast, this cluster of islands was declared by broadcaster Sir David Attenborough on Wild Isles BBC documentary as his favourite place in the UK to see nature at its best.
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Lying off the coast of north Northumberland, the Farne Islands offer a truly fascinating experience. Not only the home to number of breeding seabirds, including puffins, but also the pupping grounds to the second largest colony of grey seals in England. The islands are steeped in history too with stories of St. Cuthbert, who spent over 10 years living as a hermit on Inner Farne, and local heroine Grace Darling, who helped rescue survivors from the shipwrecked Forfarshire in 1838. Seahouses Hostel is located in the pretty coastal village of Seahouses and within walking distance of the harbour and boat trips galore! Providing comfortable, bright and spacious accommodation within close proximity to the beach, local amenities, restaurants and charming pubs oozing character!
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Gaveston Hall offers great value group accommodation for groups in the rural West Sussex countryside. This former boarding school offers wonderful facilities for its guests as well as being just 3 miles from the Knepp Estate, which has an abundance of birds & butterflies and plenty of lovely walks.
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Stay at Dalwhinnie Old School Hostel on the southeastern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Literally, on the doorstep you have one of the best places for rare wildlife in the UK. Featured on BBC Wild Isles series the Cairngorms are home to the ancient wild Caledonian pinewoods, red squirrel, capercaille, osprey and so many more of our rarest fauna and flora.
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Then a few nights at Sparrowhawk Barn is just for you. The high open moorland is close by. Here you can find wild ponies, buzzards, and amazing flora and fauna. Walk, mountain bike and wild swim in this fantastic national park and immerse yourself in the beauty of our Wild Isles.
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A stay at Exmoor Bunkbarn will give you the perfect base to see the herds of rare Exmoor ponies roaming wild on the moors. As David Attenborough pointed out in the Wild Isles Series, these wild herds graze the moorlands providing the perfect environment for our beautiful native wildflowers to thrive.
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Nunton House Hostel is situated on the enchanting Isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides close to the beautiful beach of Culla Bay. Tastefully furnished to a very high standard, Nunton House Hostel sleeps 16 in 4 en suite rooms of 4. You can book by bunk, the room or sole use of the hostel. With beautiful beaches, stunning views, great moorland walking and causeway access to the neighbouring islands, Nunton House Hostel makes the perfect base for a Hebridean adventure.
The shores of the Moray Firth are within a half hour walk from the centre of Inverness, and here you can watch pods of Dolphins. In the right season they can be seen hunting salmon which are migrating up the river to spawn. Walk to Merkinch Nature Reserve to get great views over the Moray Firth or for the best action travel the 14 miles to Chanonry Point. Bottlenose dolphins are around all year although there are more sightings in summer month when the dolphins are close to the shore hunting salmon.
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Clyngwyn Bunkhouse is only minute's walk from the waterfalls and caves of Ystradfellte and Sgwd Yr Eira. Stay here and visit the thundering waters at dusk or dawn when there is nothing but water and wildlife.
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The land around Fionnphort has been worked for countless generations, creating the familiar Hebridean patchwork of wildflower meadow, crops and grazing land, home to an amazing variety of plants and birds. It offers quiet sanctuary to wildlife and humans. Visit the bunkrooms to explore this and much more.
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Just a few miles from Darsham Country Centre, Hen Reedbeds is a large nature reserve near the North Sea coast of Suffolk. This mixture of reedbeds, fens, dykes, and pools can be viewed from a signposted circular walk.
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Stay in an Ancient Scheduled Monument as a base to then explore this beautiful remote area using the guided route that is Isaac’s Tea Trail Long-Distance Footpath.
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Calling all 'bottom bunkers' - Creich Hall Bunkhouse, just outside Fionnphort, has all single beds! It sleeps 15 across 3 en suite rooms and can be booked by the bed, the room or sole use. At £25 per person per night, it's great value. NB Min occupancy 2 people, min charge £100. It's location is perfect for your tour of the Islands being just 1 mile from the ferry to Iona, Staffa and Treshnish Isles. Whether you are a bottom bunker or not, check our Criech Hall when you are planning your visit to Mull.
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