WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre

With an astounding array of wildlife from water voles to waders, hares to dragonflies, WWT Slimbridge is home to the world’s largest collection of swans, geese, ducks and flamingos.

This beautiful and internationally renowned reserve is unique to the South West and has something to offer visitors during every season from downy duckling days in spring to breathtaking wild swan feeds in winter.

Plan your day…

Many people’s favourite memory of visiting WWT Slimbridge is of hand feeding the many tame ducks and geese around the grounds, so be sure to visit the grain desk before you leave the visitor centre and head out to the grounds.

Swan Lake – opens Easter 2010
Step out of the visitor centre to see a beautiful lake filled with swans, ducks and geese. The large stretch of water has special swan roosting spots and a feeding area. See the swans make their fantastic swan falls onto the water.

Back from the Brink
Meet our playful family of otters at our wetland mammal exhibit. With a beaver, water shrews and harvest mice this attraction shows the pressures facing species once abundant in the UK. Don’t miss our daily otter talks!

Canoe safari
Take to the water on our canoe safari trail to explore deep into the reserve. Lose yourself in the watery passages as you get the chance to see water voles, beautiful wild flowers and many interesting species of bird.

Tropical house
See some of our most colourful residents in their tropical house. Brightly coloured birds and exotic fish allow you to escape to somewhere far away!

Toad hall
Meet the amphibians that live at Toad hall. Learn more about lizards, frogs and newts at our daily talks and get a chance to handle them.

Wild bird feeds
From November to February see the magnificent wild Bewick’s swans at our daily 4pm feeding session. These amazing birds travel from arctic Russia to Slimbridge every winter and can all be recognised from their individual bill patterns. From the comfort of our heated observatory listen to a talk from our expert warden as he feeds them.

Hides
There is also a huge selection of hides for those interested in wild birds including our newest the kingfisher hide, where you can see these magnificent birds fledging from their nests each year. Look in our visitor centre before heading outside to see what species our expert wardens have seen that day.

Family attractions

Puddleduck Corner – opens Easter 2010
At Puddleduck corner you can meet a team of friendly ducks and watch them follow the feeder before hearing a special talk from the warden. The farmyard-themed attraction features Call Ducks, Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners. Find out talk times on arrival.

Pondzone
Our newly developed network of ponds will also be completed by the start of the summer. At Pondzone you can discover the underwater world by dipping for nymphs, water boatmen and pondskaters before heading back to the pondlab to examine your discoveries.

Welly boot land
Let the children loose to splash around in our popular outdoor playground Welly boot land. Here they can build dams, spin on a magic roundabout to change the water flow and alter the flow of water.

The Discovery Centre
Take part in wetland themed arts and crafts at our discovery centre. Play in the ball pit and take part in interactive games.