Glow-worms do exist in the UK, and seeing them on a summer’s night is a magical experience! ✨
They’re not actual worms, but beetles (🪲 Lampyris noctiluca)—and it’s the flightless females that glow to attract mates. You’ll find them in grassy, undisturbed places across parts of England, Wales, and southern Scotland.
🌿 Where Are Glow-Worms Found in the UK?
✅ 1. South Downs National Park (Hampshire & Sussex)
- Hotspots: Old Winchester Hill, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon
- Ideal chalk grassland habitat with good dark sky conditions
- Often seen along ridge paths and meadows in June and July
✅ 2. Epping Forest (Essex)
- High Beach and other clearings within the forest
- A long-standing glow-worm population
- Go late on a warm, calm night for your best chance
✅ 3. Wye Valley (Herefordshire / Gloucestershire)
- Woodland edges and limestone grasslands
- Try walks around Symonds Yat or Devil’s Pulpit
✅ 4. Purbeck Hills & Durlston Country Park (Dorset)
- Glowing beetles can be spotted on cliff-top paths and meadows
- Excellent walking routes that double as night-time glow-worm trails
✅ 5. Bookham Common (Surrey)
- Managed by the National Trust
- Easy access from London – known for having a strong population
- Glow-worm surveys happen here in summer
✅ 6. Monmouthshire & Brecon Beacons (Wales)
- Craig-y-Cilau National Nature Reserve and local hillsides
- Glow-worms found in limestone grasslands and old quarries
✅ 7. Yorkshire Dales & North York Moors
- Malham Tarn, Lower Wharfedale, and Farndale
- Look along dry stone walls and grassy banks
✅ 8. Chiltern Hills (Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire)
- Popular areas include Watlington Hill, Aston Rowant, and Bledlow Ridge
- Classic glow-worm territory in summer
📅 Best Time to See Glow-Worms in the UK
- Late June to mid-July
- Around 10:30pm to midnight on warm, calm nights
- Females glow for about 2 weeks, so timing is key!
🔦 Tips for Glow-Worm Spotting
- Go torch-free or use a red light torch (bright lights reduce visibility)
- Walk slowly through grassy areas and look low to the ground
- Don’t disturb or pick them – enjoy with care and leave them glowing!
- Wear long sleeves and bring a flask—it gets chilly waiting