There are few greater pleasures in life than listening to the soothing sounds of birdsong; the churring of blue tits, the chattering of blackbirds, and the cooing of wood pigeons.
To celebrate our partnership with the RSPB, our Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves features exceptional properties immersed in nature, where you can pull out the binoculars and scan the skies for signs of your favourite chirruper.
At these rural hideaways, the outside space is just as important as the inside, and there’s every chance you might get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife. And best of all, each one is within proximity of some of the RSPB’s best nature reserves.
Dave Bloor, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the RSPB said:
“We’re really pleased to launch this new Showcase Collection in partnership with holidaycottages.co.uk. Featuring high-quality, thoughtfully curated properties, the Near RSPB Reserves collection offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and explore the diverse landscapes of RSPB nature reserves across the UK.
We hope the collection inspires more people to explore the outdoors by becoming RSPB members and discovering the unique reserves situated on the doorstep of the properties featured. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activities which are fun for all the family, chasing incredible views on hikes with friends, or taking a solo trip to spot rare wildlife in the heart of nature, there’s something for everyone.
holidaycottages.co.uk’s generous donation helps the RSPB to restore 1 square metre of woodland per booking, so you can be confident your holiday will not only provide unforgettable experiences but also support the preservation of the UK's precious natural spaces.”
Beaulieu River View, New Forest | near RSPB Franchises Lodge
Here is a hideout on high; a wooden-clad home on stilts set on the banks of the Beaulieu River and ensconced in miles of woodland. Considerate of its natural setting in the New Forest National Park, the dark cabin blends into the surrounding trees and has been designed to make guests feel like a bird in a roost. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the open-plan living area frame the surrounding woodland theatre, with binoculars provided to observe the birds, squirrels and deer. The star of the show is the wraparound balcony where you can sit beneath the sky-high canopy, listening to the sounds of nature, day, and night.
Beaulieu River View is just under a 17-mile drive from RSPB Franchises Lodge. At nearly 1,000 acres, this spectacular woodland provides an important habitat for a wide range of birds, including wood warblers, hawfinches, spotted flycatchers, firecrests and redstarts.
VIEW PROPERTY
Sharpenton Lodge, Somerset | near RSPB Greylake
Drive down cowslip-fringed country roads and wind your way to this luxury lodge in the hummocky hills of Somerset. Its position within 8 acres of fields and farmland offers an Arcadian backdrop for long, peaceful walks in the fresh air. When you return from your adventures, pull up a seat on one of the balconies and admire far-reaching views across RSPB Greylake Nature Reserve while the children enjoy games of hide and seek in the garden. Then, as the sun dips below the fields, gather around a smoking BBQ on the patio before sinking beneath soft sheets inside and sleeping easy to the hoot of the owls.
Sharpenton Lodge is less than 2 miles from RSPB Greylake. This wetland wonderland is nestled in the heart of the Somerset Levels and boasts a variety of hides from which you can spot lapwings, redshanks and snipes nesting in the spring, and egrets and herons fishing along the edges of the water all year round.
VIEW PROPERTY
Bethel Villa Lodge, Brecon Beacons | near RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas
Quietly tucked away in the emerald realms of the Carmarthenshire countryside, this cosy custom-crafted cabin for two is perfect for guests looking for some peaceful rejuvenation in a rural idyll. Inside, warm, honeyed wood makes the space instantly feel welcoming – a real sanctuary in which to unwind. While outside, the cabin is wrapped in trees and an enchanting garden, with only the blissful melody of birdsong and a gently trickling stream for company. Bring your wellies for bracing country walks, and don’t forget some marshmallows to toast on the sunken fire pit.
Bethel Villa Lodge is just over 9 miles from RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas. This woodland nature reserve is simply breathtaking in the spring when blanketed in a violet haze of bluebells. As you wander beneath the boughs of alder and oak, look out for red kites, pied flycatchers, redstarts, common sandpipers, dippers and grey wagtails.
VIEW PROPERTY
March Melin, Mid Wales | near RSPB Carngafallt
Like a scene straight out of a storybook, this traditional mill cottage in Mid Wales exudes oodles of rustic character. Between its sloping walls and higgledy-piggledy beams, a feature fireplace and comfortable furnishings embody the essence of a British country escape. The sunroom is particularly inviting where you can spend endless hours watching a variety of feathered friends flitting by through the panoramic windows. Look forward to mornings woken by rustling leaves and the hammering of woodpeckers, and evenings lulled into a deep sleep by the babbling stream which meanders alongside.
March Melin lies only 3.5 miles from RSPB Carngafallt. This Celtic rainforest is globally significant for its lichens and you’re likely to glimpse red kites soaring majestically above the treetops as you crunch through the oak leaves.
VIEW PROPERTY
Shepherd Hut At High House, Lake District | near RSPB Haweswater
Sat within the luscious boundaries of the Lake District National Park, this charming shepherd’s hut is like your own private bird hide for two. Its windows reveal a pastoral landscape of undulating hills and patchwork fields, and a wildlife pond lies just outside the front door, ensuring an immersed-in-nature experience for all who stay. On warm, sunny mornings, enjoy breakfast alfresco, watching dragonflies skim over the surface of the water. Then lace up your hiking boots and take a 1-mile ramble to the tranquil shores of Ullswater Lake, where if you’re lucky, you might spot an osprey or two.
Shepherd Hut At High House is just 12 miles from RSPB Haweswater. In this dramatic, mountainous setting, you may observe red squirrels foraging for nuts, ring ouzels gliding over the fells, and mountain ringlet butterflies fluttering among the alpine wildflowers.
VIEW PROPERTY
The Seashell – Acharacle, Scottish Highlands | near RSPB Glenborrodale
Hugged by big skies and lofty mountains on the glistening shores of Loch Sunart, this architect-designed cottage is hidden away in complete seclusion. Its unique shape has been inspired by the curves of a seashell, and its eco-friendly turf roof perfectly blends into the surrounding woodland. Inside its rounded walls, which are crafted from local timber and stone, the cottage has been flawlessly furnished to create a luxurious home, and is filled with natural sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows. Its bold and beautiful interiors are only rivalled by the kaleidoscope of ever-changing scenery outside.
The Seashell – Acharacle is set on Scotland’s wild west coast, less than 2 miles from RSPB Glenborrodale. Set on the same loch as the cottage, this Scottish nature reserve hosts a variety of wildlife within its woodland, upland and coastal habitats. Look out for wood warblers, redstarts and spotted flycatchers in the skies, as well as pine martens, wildcats, otters and seals.
VIEW PROPERTY
Find a memorable nest for a wildlife-watching holiday in the UK in our Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. Spend the day spotting birds on the wing before drifting off in one of our rural retreats.
