Nature Features

It's been a summer of 'staycations' and not only is the UK a fantastic place to take a break, it's also packed with wonderful wildlife that you can enjoy without spending a fortune.

If you're planning a seaside break, heading for the hills, woodlands and rivers, or simply putting your feet up at home - it's possible to have a credit-crunching encounter with Mother Nature.

Going camping

Campsites are a real wildlife hotspot, it doesn't cost the earth and it's a great adventure for the whole family.

"When you go camping you're only the thickness of your tent away from the natural world" said BBC presenter Martin Hughes-Games.

"Always make sure to take some binoculars – but you don't need to spend a fortune on a pair – and take a field guide if you're going exploring for the first time."

"Make it a basic one as some of the bird guides can be too complicated. To let you into a little secret – the one I always take is Bill Oddie's" he added.

An Avocet. Photo: RSPB

Elmley Marshes on the Isle of Sheppey is an RSPB reserve. With its miles of marshes, it is home to avocets (the symbol of the RSPB itself) as well as thousands of other wading birds. Merlins, hen and marsh harriers and short-eared owls are known to hunt there too.

Rough-legged buzzards have been spotted at Capel Fleet on the Isle of Sheppey, regarded by some as the best bird of prey viewpoint in the UK.

Along the coast

The UK's coastline stretches for thousands of miles, offering a diverse range of habitats.

On a seaside break, the first instinct might be to flock to the beaches or, like moths to a flame, to the bright lights of the arcades - but by exploring a little further along the coast you can uncover a world of wildlife in the cliffs, tide pools and sea.

Some of the best areas of the Kent coastline to enjoy marine wildlife includes the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay. The area includes a wide range of habitats, from mudflats, sand dunes chalk cliffs and coastal scrubland. The reserve is particularly noted for its bird life.

"There are spectacular wildlife hotspots all round our coast and it's not just birds – you can see seals, dolphins, even whales if you're lucky," said Martin.

Rock pooling is fun for all the family

Rock pools, or tide pools as they are sometimes known, are home to a wealth of sea life and provides a unique opportunity to study it at close quarters.

"I hadn't been rock pooling for years and I'd completely forgotten how much there is to see. It's fabulous, it's free and it's fun for all the family," said Martin.

"You'll see crabs, starfish, limpets, killer dog-whelks and if you catch a really low tide you might see British cowries or pipe fish – but don't forget to think safety first and keep an eye on the tide, it can come in far faster than you think."

Remember, the best sort of rock pooling means leaving no trace of your visit. Always return creatures back to the sea and leave the wonders of the rock pool for all to enjoy.

In the woods

The woods are the UK equivalent of the rainforests, they are the most diverse habitat that we have and there's always something new going on - whatever the season.

Wherever you live you're never far away from a woodland adventure. In Kent, popular locations for exploring woodland habitats include the walks and woodland paths at Tudeley Wood, near Pembury. Among the old trees and coppiced woodland you'll find an array of butterflies and flowers.

Woodland visits get you closer to nature

"The woods are home to some of our most spectacular wildlife and big animals like deer, wild boar, foxes and badgers," said Martin.

"Surprisingly, it's often a wood that has lots of visitors that is a better place to see wildlife as they get used to people.

"You should also go very early in the morning, and I mean really early - like first light, as this is when the animals are at their busiest.

"Getting up that early is a real adventure and just think how delicious your breakfast will taste when you get home," he added.

Holidaying at home

If you're holidaying at home this year, one of the most exciting wildlife habitats can be found in your own garden or from a visit to the local park.

Take a wildlife adventure in your garden

"I love spending time in my garden, but if I'm not at home there's always a green space somewhere nearby that'll act like a magnet for wildlife," said Martin.

"I'm passionate about insects as they have some of the best stories. Forget looking up at the birds, look down and under things and you'll find a bizarre and fascinating world.

"Again, get yourself a basic guide book and a magnifying glass. There are 20,000 different species of insect in Britain so you'll never be short of new discoveries."

From villages to cities, the countryside to the coast – wildlife is everywhere you look.

To help you make the most of it, a number of free pocket guides are available from BBC Breathing Places.