Archive Website of the UK government

National Nature Reserves

There are 224 National Nature Reserves in England, all of them Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Roughly two-thirds of these are owned and managed by Natural England. Almost all of them are accessible to visitors and provide great opportunities to experience nature.

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Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are the country's very best wildlife and geological sites, and are usually found in National Nature Reserves.

They include some of the most spectacular and beautiful habitats, including wetlands teeming with birds, wildflower meadows, shingle beaches, remote uplands, moorland and peat bogs.

Find out more about SSSIs, including where they are, on the Natural England website.

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Natural England Opens new window

Local Nature Reserves

There are now more than 1,400 Local Nature Reserves in England. They range from windswept coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows to former inner city railways, abandoned landfill sites and industrial areas now re-colonised by wildlife. They are an impressive natural resource, making an important contribution to biodiversity.

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Wildlife Trusts nature reserves

The Wildlife Trusts look after more than 2,000 nature reserves. The reserves help to conserve wildlife and allow people to share in their beauty.

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RSPB nature reserves

You could also visit one of the 150 nature reserves owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). These are ideal for bird watchers and nature lovers. Some provide a wide range of facilities suitable for family days out, while others have only minimal services on offer. To find out more about RSPB nature reserves, visit the RSPB website.

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National Parks

National Parks contain some of the most remote and beautiful open spaces in the UK.

There are 14 National Parks in Britain. These are mostly located in the less populated upland areas with extensive swathes of open country and spectacular views.

Find out more on the ‘National Parks’ page.

• National Parks

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

England and Wales are home to many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Each AONB encompasses a distinct and spectacular landscape, such as the Isles of Scilly, the Cotswolds and the Northumberland coast.

You can search for an AONB near you, and find out what you can see and do there. Just visit the website of the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There is also information about AONBs on the Natural England website, and on the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) website.

• National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Opens new window

• Countryside Council for Wales Opens new window

• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Natural England Opens new window

Local Wildlife Sites

Local Wildlife and Geological Sites are chosen for their wildlife or geological value by local people. There are over 40,000 Local Wildlife and Geological Sites in England. For further information, contact your local authority or local Wildlife Trust.

Link Contact your LA

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More useful links

• Countryside access for disabled people (disabled people section)

• What to do and where to go from the National Trust Opens new window

• World Heritage sites in the UK Opens new window