The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) 2025 has unveiled its winners, celebrating the beauty and diversity of Britain’s natural world. This year’s top prize goes to Simon Withyman for his striking image of a red fox navigating the streets of Bristol.
Amateur and professional photographers from all over Great Britain submitted over 13,000 images, competing for the £3,500 grand prize. The contest recognizes the overall winner, as well as the winners in 10 different categories in the adult competition:
- Animal Behaviour
- Animal Portraits
- Botanical Britain
- Black & White
- British Seasons
- Coast & Marine
- Habitat
- Hidden Britain
- Urban Wildlife
- Wild Woods
There were also three age groups in the young competition:
- 11 and Under
- 12-14 years
- 15-17 years
British Wildlife Photography Awards Overall Winner
“I had been photographing this vixen for three years,” says Withyman. “This streetwise fox was a successful mother and had a family of young mouths to feed. I was instantly drawn to the interesting perspective effect of these railings and wanted to showcase some beauty in this everyday urban scene.”
Other than being the overall winner, Withyman’s image also won the first place in the Urban Wildlife category. And what I find interesting is that this isn’t the first fox photo to win the contest. Another one took the throne in 2023, showing the rising issues of these beautiful animals losing their habitats.
The Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year
BWPA also recognizes the Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year among the three Young categories. For 2025, the award went to 9-year-old Jamie Smart for her beautiful image of a curlew amongst dandelions in the early morning light.
“The British Wildlife Photography Awards continues to showcase the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Britain’s natural world,” says Will Nicholls, Director of the British Wildlife Photography Awards.
“This year’s competition not only celebrates the artistry and dedication of our photographers but also serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect these wild spaces. We hope this collection inspires others to appreciate, respect, and safeguard the wildlife that makes Britain so unique.“
All awarded images are published by Bird Eye Books in a hardback coffee-table book, which is now available online on the contest website. And if you’d like to enter your own images for the next round, you can do it here in 3, 2, 1…
I leave you now to enjoy the 2025 BWPA category winners. If you decide to submit your wildlife shots, I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
More from the British Wildlife Photography Awards
