10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in East Midlands That You Shouldn't Miss

Our 110 acre farm is packed full of alpaca activities... Take a 90 minute stroll around our picturesque fields with a calming alpaca friend. Or take part in our afternoon tea walk which is finished off with homemade fresh sandwiches and cakes... not forgetting the fizz!! We also offer the incredible opportunity to get up close to our new born alpaca babies and their mums on our Criawatch experiences. Book your experience on our website or, if you just want to visit for a walk around we are open to the public 9.30-4.30 Thursday - Monday with free entry to the farm yard and free paddock walk. Chilli Bean Kitchen is open for fresh farm breakfasts, homemade cakes and hot savoury, home cooked food, not forgetting our delicious cream teas! Pop over for a visit!

Tropical Birdland is a unique visitor attraction which is home to over 250 birds with a variety of stunning free-flying parrots from all around the world. We are set in 6.5 acres of English countryside which houses aviaries, woodlands and a restaurant, to name a few.

Awarded "Best Skegness Attraction in 2015" and "Best Business 2015" by the Skegness Partnership in November 2015, Natureland is well known for rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured seal pups that are stranded on Lincolnshire beaches. Our visitors can see the seals and lots of other wonderful animals including penguins, meerkats, alpacas, tropical birds/butterflies, pets corner, aquarium, tropical house, koi carp pool, animal brass rubbing, gift shop and refreshments available.

Situated within Whisby Nature Park, The Natural World Centre is just five miles from Lincoln City centre. Whisby Nature Park is managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and offers over six miles of all ability footpaths, ideal for a relaxing day out or a bit of wildlife watching. At the Natural World Centre, you’ll find a great bistro serving hot and cold snacks, meals and treats from locally sourced produce, a fantastically stocked shop and amazing adventure play for children of all ages. It’s only natural you’ll want to stay!

The construction of the Cromford Canal by William Jessop and Benjamin Outram, partners in the Butterley company, was completed in 1794. It is 14.5 miles long and joined Cromford with the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The site has a wealth of industrial heritage and lies in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. The canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its entire length from Cromford to Ambergate. The 3.3km southern section from Whatstandwell Bridge to Ambergate is a Local Nature Reserve. The canal is a haven for water vole, a threatened and declining species, and for grass snakes, little grebes, moorhen and coots. The southern end towards Poyser's Bridge is excellent for dragonflies. The canal can be explored from the towpath between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over five miles. The walk from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction is suitable for pushchair's and wheel chairs. We manage the section from Cromford to Ambergate for recreation and wildlife. The canal has a very rich and diverse wildlife running through the attractive Derwent Valley and part of it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve can be accessed from the north end at Whatstandwell or at the southern end from Ambergate by a towpath off Chase Road. The old towing path which follows the canal is a public footpath - please note that this path is narrow and uneven in places. Birdswood, a restored narrow boat is run on scheduled trips through the year by the Friends of Cromford Canal. Open to all members of the public. Come and enjoy a peaceful journey along the canal, from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction, introduced by a booming announcement from the FCC President, Brian Blessed. Birdswood is also available for private hire and for specialist educational trips. Limited canoeing is permitted on the Cromford Canal between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction. Because of the sensitive nature of the canal, numbers are strictly controlled. There's a Changing Places toilet for use by the public in the car park at Cromford Wharf.