Where is BBC Winterwatch filmed and how you can visit
Popular BBC series Winterwatch is returning to our screens this week with a series of special episodes.
Winterwatch has been broadcast on BBC Two since 2012, and along with Springwatch and previously Autumnwatch, makes up the BBC's 'Watches' group of wildlife programming.
Hosted by presenters Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham, the new series will be broadcast on BBC Two for four nights at 8pm from Tuesday (January 21) to Friday (January 24).
Winterwatch will be broadcast live from RSPB Arne reserve near Wareham in Dorset. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 5.6 square kilometre site is part of the UK's first Super National Nature Reserve.
The stunning site consists of dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland and also remains one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found.
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RSPB Arne can be visited daily with numerous trails for visitors to follow, with a cafe and shop also in the nature reserve.
Reviews on Tripadvisor describe the site as boasting "Amazing views and a lovely walk" and "beautiful wildlife".
One visitor said: "A lovely place to walk with lots of different habitats however all birds a million miles away, which is what we expected. Nice cafe with lovely cake."
Another said: "Visited on the strength of seeing the reserve on television programmes and being in the area.
"Thought the £5 per person entrance fee was reasonable, when you compare it to other attractions / NT sites.
"The volunteers at the start were very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. We followed the purple route which was approx. 1hr, excluding the stop at the hide. The hide was large and looked pretty new.
"Lovely serene view over the estuary (?) and a peaceful and calm place to chill for a while. I was actually surprised at the lack of birds!
"Being a non-birder, this didn't bother me, but I was delighted to see several deer. It's still a nice place to walk, whether you're into birds or not.".
The BBC show will highlight the area's stunning heathland, wetlands, and woodlands and the dramatic challenges and fascinating behaviours of our UK wildlife as they navigate the winter season.
Viewers can expect thrilling stories of resilient creatures, from elusive birds of prey to the mysterious, nocturnal movements of deer and foxes.
Live cameras will be rigged across the site to capture all the drama, including the local white-tailed sea eagle who patrol the skies.
Speaking about RSPB Arne, Chris Packham said: "It's a great place because of the diversity of habitats. It's got everything: it’s got broadleaf woodland, pine woodland, heathland, and grassland, and then, of course, it's got Poole Harbour, with its salt marsh and mud and everything else, Brownsea island and its lagoon.
"It’s an incredibly diverse range of habitats with a great range of species. The project of the Super National Nature Reserve continues.
"They’re continuing to sort of expand and consolidate and instigate resilience in that environment, which is really important. So that's something we've been very keen to support."
The series will also bring pre-filmed seasonal stories from across the UK – including one kayaker's encounter with blue fin tuna on the Devon coast, the Big Garden Bird Watch, and a tour of the urban nature reserve Walthamstow Wetlands.
Winterwatch may be the last time the BBC show comes to the nature reserve after the expiry two year contract the BBC signed with RSPB.
It is not currently known where Springwatch 2025 will be broadcast from, with the BBC saying that details will be confirmed near the release date.
Winterwatch airs nightly from 8pm on BBC Two. Viewers can watch previous episodes of Winterwatch on BBC iPlayer, with new episodes available to watch after broadcast.
