Slimbridge Wetland Centre Gloucestershire

Introduction

The birthplace of modern conservation, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is the ideal place to get closer to nature.

Slimbridge is the vision of naturalist and artist Sir Peter Scott and holds international significance as the headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).  It is here that the world renowned experts of WWT Consulting and Species Conservation are based.

Slimbridge is home to an astounding array of wildlife including the world's largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks.  A year round programme of walks, arts, events, workshops, talks and spectacular wildlife encounters are a fantastic way for everyone to connect to their natural surroundings. Slimbridge provides a safe home for the world’s largest collection of swans, ducks, flamingos and geese. Many of the species you’ll see are rare or endangered. WWT are involved in breeding and conservation programmes to protect these species and the places they live around the world. You can visit the Crane School where young cranes are being hand reared. Take a Canoe Safari to see wildlife from a new perspective, visit the heated tropical house where birds from the tropics fly freely. Your trip, here in Gloucesteshire, will take you to see birds from around the world as well as wildlife native to these shores and unique to this area.

The Reserve.  Outside of the fox proof fence lies a wild area of land managed by Slimbridge’s wardens. This huge area encompasses the grasslands to the shores of the Severn estuary and is a haven for wildlife.  Slimbridge’s reserve is a great place to see rare birds from all over the world. Take a Land Rover safari or visit one of our hides and you may see Hobby, Kingfishers, Redshank, Brown Hares, Dragonflies, wild Otters, grass snakes and wild Orchids. This spectacular reserve is also home to up to 35,000 wildfowl, in the winter.  The reserve covers over 325 hectares and its wetlands have international protection including a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area.

The Visitor Centre.  The award winning visitor centre, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy Slimbridge. Here you can take a trip to the top of the Sloane Tower for a magnificent 360 degree view of Slimbridge and the Severn Estuary, explore the Discovery Centre where you will discover Toad Hall, enjoy wildlife inspired films in the cinema and art in the gallery.


Each day at Slimbridge
Here's some of the activities which take place at regular intervals throughout the year at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Welly Boot Land: Splash, stomp and wade through the water in your wellies at our wet play area for children. Build dams, pump and change the flow of the water, wind round the willow maze and spy from the crow's nest. Open daily (unless severe frost/freezing weather overnight) *Welly Boot Land now open to the public again with full running water.
Land Rover Safari: Explore the depths of the wild reserve on a Land Rover Safari on selected days from May to October*
Crane school talk: Visit the Crane School where cranes are being hand reared. 11.30am and 2.30pm daily.
Meet the Flamingos: Slimbridge is the only place in the UK where you can meet all 6 species of flamingo. Join our daily talk.
Guided Walk: Join our knowledgable volunteers for a guided walk to discover the grounds of Slimbridge Wetland Centre and its many residents. (walk lasts roughly 1.5 hours). 11am and 2pm
Toad Hall demo: meet the frogs, talks and other amphibians in Toad Hall. 2.30pm weekdays and 12.30pm and 2.30pm during weekends and school holidays.
Tropical House talk: Take a walk to the heated Tropical House for a short talk on the amazing tropical wildlife to be found at slimbridge.Learn more about tropics throughout the world.
Wildlife art gallery: Enjoy a stroll through Slimbridge’s wildlife art gallery. You may even decide to make an investment!
Cinema: Wildlife inspired films are shown in Slimbridge’s purpose built cinema each day
Canoe Safari: Take to the water to discover a wetland trail rich in native plant species and wildlife. Pick up a paddle and step into a canoe for a wonderful wetland adventure.Open every Saturday and Sunday and daily during school holidays (weather permitting) from 11am - 4pm until March 31st. Open daily through the summer* (all under 17s to be accompanied by an adult and a minimum age of 5 allowed on the canoes)
Floodlit bird feeds: From autumn to spring witness the amazing spectacle of our daily commentated wild bird feeds, as Bewick’s Swans return to Slimbridge after their long journey from Arctic Russia in search of warmer weather.


CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SLIMBRIDGE WEBSITE

 
 
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