How to watch Springwatch outside the UK

Springwatch is back for another season of fascinating episodes celebrating British wildlife, and the 2026 series is on air right now.

The programme is hugely popular both in the UK and beyond, especially with expats and anyone travelling abroad.

Unfortunately, like most British shows, Springwatch is only available to those located in the UK due to geo-restrictions.

As with most BBC programmes, you cannot watch it from outside the country without a little help.

But where there is a will, there is a way, and we know exactly how you can watch it from anywhere. Read on to find out how.

What you need to watch Springwatch

As mentioned, Springwatch is shown on BBC Two, as well as online via the BBC iPlayer service, among tons of other interesting content.

But unfortunately for you, it is blocked outside of the country due to geo-restrictions.

To unblock it, you will have to employ a good VPN service. It’s a small privacy app that also doubles up as a service to help you mask your location.

ExpressVPN is the best choice for the job, as it is the fastest one, which is essential for watching video outside the UK. It’s also very affordable, especially when taking their annual package which offers a 49% saving, and it works with BBC iPlayer.

Alternatively, you can also try out NordVPN or CyberGhost, which are also able to do the job. ExpressVPN is still our top pick, but the choice is yours.

So if you’re travelling abroad on holiday, you don’t need to miss your fix of Springwatch wherever you happen to be.

How to watch Springwatch abroad

Whether you are leaving the UK for a bit, or for a more extended period, there is an easy way to watch Springwatch from abroad, and all you need to do is follow a few simple steps.

1. Choose a VPN. My recommendation is ExpressVPN.
2. Go to its website and sign up for an account.
3. Pick your payment plan and method.
4. Download the offered dedicated app for the device you plan on using.
5. Install the app and launch it.
6. Click on Selected Location and then United Kingdom.
7. Head to BBC iPlayer and sign in. You will need a free BBC account, and a UK postcode is required during sign up.
8. And, that’s it. You will now be able to access BBC iPlayer and watch Springwatch.

You should note that not all VPNs work with the iPlayer, as it tends to block them, just like Netflix and other streaming services.

If you choose another VPN service outside of the three mentioned earlier in this guide, make sure it works with BBC iPlayer.

When is Springwatch shown?

Springwatch 2026 is live across three weeks, airing Monday to Thursday at 8pm on BBC Two from 25th May to 11th June.

This year the live hub has moved to the National Trust’s Crom Estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, broadcasting live from there for the very first time. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan host from Crom, while Iolo Williams travels to a different wild location around the UK each week.

If you miss an episode, every show is available to catch up on via BBC iPlayer, and the live wildlife cameras let you stay connected to nature throughout the day without disturbing it.

What’s Springwatch all about?

Springwatch is an exciting show, created by BBC, which charts the behaviour of British wildlife during the changing of the seasons.

The show captures nature’s behaviour live, and it has been around ever since 2005. It became so popular over the years that it earned spin-offs, including Autumnwatch and Winterwatch.

The show comes from the desire to educate people about nature and the UK’s local wildlife. Considering how popular it has become, it appears to have succeeded in raising interest.

What else can I use the VPN for?

As mentioned, you can watch pretty much any other show that is on the BBC and its iPlayer.

But why stop there?

With a good VPN, you can also access other channels, including Channel 4, ITV, and even subscription services like TNT Sports and Sky.

Apart from that, VPNs are the ultimate protection when it comes to securing your online privacy and anonymity. You can protect yourself online and watch basically any content on the internet, from any place around the world.

As mentioned before, not all VPNs can unblock everything, so choose carefully which one to use.

Are VPN apps legal?

Yes, absolutely. VPN apps are security tools, and as such, they are perfectly legal around the world.

Of course, some regions do not like them, but even such places did not make them illegal. Only in countries such as China do they frown upon VPN use, as they wish to control the flow of information.

In other countries, there are no such restrictions.

Summary

Springwatch is a fascinating educational show that gives viewers the chance to learn more about nature and follow local wildlife as it goes about its routine, undisturbed. The show has been hugely popular for over 20 years.

Unfortunately, it is geo-blocked, meaning you cannot watch it from outside the UK. If you still wish to see it, you can do it with a VPN.

Sign up for ExpressVPN and download their app. Then connect to the United Kingdom.

Once you’re connected, you can watch Springwatch on BBC iPlayer at a time convenient to you, wherever you happen to be in the world.

Illustration © Anemad – Dreamstime.com