Top 10 British wildlife and nature experiences

Red Kite Feeding Station, Rhayader, Powys, Wales

Watch these graceful birds as they wheel through the air and swoop to feed. Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Station in Mid Wales is open all year round attracting up to 400 of these magnificent birds at every session. Red Kites are one of the UK's most beautiful birds of prey with chestnut colouring and a wingspan of nearly 2m.

To find out more about feeding Red Kites visit the Gigrin Farm website (www.gigrin.co.uk/).

Eden Project, Cornwall

We've all seen hothouses in botanical gardens but nothing prepares you for the sheer scale of the Eden Project. It's home to the world's largest covered conservatories (Biomes) that take up a vast old clay pit in Cornwall. Wander through a tropical rainforest complete with waterfalls or the Mediterranean zone that has perfumed citrus trees, vines, banks of crops and a riot of colourful blooms.

For tickets and more information visit the Eden Project website (www.edenproject.com ).

Richmond Park, London

If you're in the centre of London and need a rural refuge, head to Richmond Park, London's largest open space. The Park has changed little over the centuries and, although it's surrounded by human habitation, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands feel like open countryside. But the biggest surprise is the 300 Red and 350 Fallow deer roaming wild in the park. Head to Richmond during autumn to see the male deer rutting and go in summer to see the young fawns at their fluffiest.

Find out more about Richmond Park (www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/).

Whale and Dolphin watching, Moray Firth, Scotland

Take a boat trip around the coastline of the Scottish Highlands and see the most northerly colony of Bottlenose Dolphins in the world. Try Ecoventures (www.ecoventures.co.uk/) or Dolphin Trips Avoch (www.dolphintripsavoch.co.uk/) who organise tours to see the dolphins as well as Minke Whales, porpoise and seals.

Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, Scotland

Take a trip to the white sandy beaches of North Berwick and the Islands of the Firth of Forth and visit the Scottish Seabird Centre. The Centre is a world leader in remote wildlife viewing, with live cameras located on the surrounding islands. From here you can also take boat trips to see the famous Bass Rock, home to the world's largest single colony of gannets. The spectacle of hundreds of gannets plunging into the sea at 60mph has been named as one of the wildlife wonders of the world by the naturalist David Attenborough.

Discover more at the Scottish Seabird Centre website (www.seabird.org/home.asp).

Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh

At Scotland's largest zoo you can get close to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals including lions, tigers, jaguars, red pandas, koalas and polar bears. Don't miss the famous Penguin Parade when the zoo's penguins emerge from their enclosure to follow their keepers on a waddle around the zoo.

To find out more visit the Edinburgh Zoo website (www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/Default.aspx).

National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire

Westonbirt is one of the most important gardens in the world. It has the largest collection of Japanese maples in Britain which burst into flaming hues during autumn. You'll also find magnificent examples of native trees and exotic specimens from around the world. Visit throughout the year to see one of the world's great tree collections as it changes with the seasons.

Find out more at the National Arboretum website (www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt).

The Deep Aquarium, Hull

Explore this state of the art aquarium housed in striking modern building on the waterfront in Hull near York. The Deep tells the story of the world's oceans through enormous tanks filled with over 3,500 fish and 40 sharks. Explore the deepest waters, the iciest seas and find out what lurks beneath – all without getting wet!

For more information check out The Deep website (www.thedeep.co.uk/).

Wildlife and Wetland Centre, Llanelli, Wales

Stretching over 450 acres on the Burry Inlet, this mosaic of lakes, pools and lagoons is home to countless wild species as diverse as dragonflies and little egrets. You can also see over 600 of some of the world's most spectacular ducks, geese, swans and flamingos, many so tame they feed from the hand.

Find out more about the Wildlife and Wetlands Centre (www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/llanelli).

Longleat Safari Park

Enjoy close encounters with some of the world's rarest animals as you drive through Longleat Safari Park. Share the road with giant giraffes and meddlesome monkeys as well as zebras, rhinos, tigers and lions. Kids love the hands-on Pets Corner home to otters, snakes, lizards, tortoises, parma wallabies and much much more.

Check out the Longleat Safari Park website (www.longleat.co.uk).