WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre WWT Slimbridge is a visitor centre open all year. Come and see the power of wetlands for yourself.
(3308)

The birthplace of modern conservation, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is set within 325 hectares against a spectacular Severn Estuary backdrop. Land Rover rides and canoe safaris guarantee close encounters with a dazzling array of wetland life and there’s lots for our young visitors to enjoy, including the welly boot land play area.

A funnel cloud developed into a swirling mini tornado over the WWT Slimbridge grounds this week! 🌪️ Thankfully no damage...
30/08/2026

A funnel cloud developed into a swirling mini tornado over the WWT Slimbridge grounds this week! 🌪️ Thankfully no damage was done ⛈️

Thank you to Hayley Matthews for sharing these dramatic photos.

Wetter weather has brought out plenty of waders this week! 🌧️There are as many as seven spotted redshank on site at the ...
29/08/2026

Wetter weather has brought out plenty of waders this week! 🌧️

There are as many as seven spotted redshank on site at the moment, as well as turnstone, snipe, ruff, knot, black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit, little stint, and green sandpiper.

🦆 Head to the Martin Smith Hide to see the garganey — Britain's only fully migratory duck species — before it returns to central Africa in autumn. Five pintail, a drake wigeon, a gadwall and two shoveler were seen from the Estuary Tower too.

It's been another good year for willow emerald damselflies, first recorded as a new breeding species on the reserve only last year. We're also still seeing plenty of beautiful clouded yellow butterflies

Last but not least... On Tuesday a harbour porpoise was seen feeding in the Severn to the north! 🐬

Read more: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/wildlife/latest-sightings/sightings-and-news-for-week-ending-30-august-2026



📸 1. Snipe, 2. Willow emerald damselfly, 3. Garganey and 4. Juvenile ruff by Roy Kinchin, 5. Green sandpiper and 6. Clouded yellow by Paul Clark

🎥 Watch BBC Countryfile on catch-up! The annual Countryfile calendar photo competition judging was recently filmed here ...
28/08/2026

🎥 Watch BBC Countryfile on catch-up!

The annual Countryfile calendar photo competition judging was recently filmed here at WWT Slimbridge in our Estuary Shoreline Garden. The episode also features stories from across our grounds and reserves, showcasing the work we do and the people that make it happen 🦆

📅 30 August at 6pm on BBC One

It may almost be the end of summer, but there's still plenty of adorable new life on site! 🥹📸 Juvenile little grebe on t...
27/08/2026

It may almost be the end of summer, but there's still plenty of adorable new life on site! 🥹

📸 Juvenile little grebe on the Rushy by Paul Clark

Last chance! 🐭 Grab your tickets to the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience before 1 September to save £2 per person.The p...
26/08/2026

Last chance! 🐭 Grab your tickets to the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience before 1 September to save £2 per person.

The perfect autumnal family night out, running 16 to 18 October and 23 October to 1 November:
🦢 Explore WWT Slimbridge's wetlands after dark
✨ Encounter luminous wetland creatures — familiar favourites plus stunning new designs by The Lantern Company
🏮 Craft your own lantern
🪄 Meet the (friendly) Marsh Witch or Wizard
🍔 Enjoy warming street food
🔥 Toast marshmallows over the fire
🌜 Twilight SEND sessions available

⏳ Don't miss out on the early-bird offer — book now: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/whats-on/mystical-marsh-lantern-experience

📸 1-4 by Jim Johnston, 5 by Harley Todd

24/08/2026

Final days of Dragonfly Festival! ⌛

Don't let this summer adventure at WWT Slimbridge fly by 🐉🪰

Discover the dazzling world of dragonflies and enjoy a line-up of family activities, entertainment and unique wildlife adventures in our mood-lifting wetlands.

🧪 From fascinating science shows and colourful circus skills workshops to pond dipping and dragonfly safaris, there’s something special for all the family.

Whether you're joining us for the first time or squeezing in one last visit before the holidays end, now's your chance to fill your summer with flying colours 🎨

📅 Dragonfly Festival runs until 3 September (circus skills workshops and stilt walking performances end on 31 August).

🔍 Search WWT Dragonfly Festival Slimbridge to find out more.

📅 What's on in September at WWT Slimbridge 📅🐉 Until Monday 3: last chance to catch our Dragonfly Festival fun! Crafts, p...
23/08/2026

📅 What's on in September at WWT Slimbridge 📅

🐉 Until Monday 3: last chance to catch our Dragonfly Festival fun! Crafts, pond dipping, drone course, silent discos and science shows 🫧

🔭 Sunday 6: Optics Day
🧘 Wednesday 23: Evening Waterside Yoga
🦆 Monday 28: Birding for Beginners
🪶 Tuesday 29: Guided Birdwatch Walk

🛶 Daily: Canoe Safari
🏡 Daily (except Tuesdays): Scott House Museum Tours
🖼️ Tuesdays: Scott House Museum Art Discovery Tours
🐝 Thursdays: Pollinator Walks

For talks and demonstrations, please check the 'what's on' board in Admissions.

Book tickets and plan your visit: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/whats-on

📸 1, 4, and 7. Bec Greenaway, 2. Ben Langdon Photography, 5. Sam Walker

It looks like the birds were as grateful for the rain as we were this week! 🚿🪶 Feathered highlights this include a juv...
22/08/2026

It looks like the birds were as grateful for the rain as we were this week! 🚿

🪶 Feathered highlights this include a juvenile whinchat at Middle Point. Whinchats are summer visitors, and passage migrants on their way to overwinter in central and southern Africa. Whinchat numbers in Britain more than halved in recent years, landing them on the Red list of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

We've also had a family of four little grebes with a single juvenile on the Rushy, and little stint, sanderling and wood sandpiper on the Top New Piece. The kingfisher has been seen on the fence again from the Martin Smith Hide, and there have been lesser and common whitethroat amongst the high numbers of chiffchaff feeding.

💡 Over 60 species were recorded amongst around 260 individuals in the traps at Wednesday's Moth Morning. Highlights included eyed hawk-moth (check out the flash of false eye on its hindwing in photo 2 🧿), poplar hawk-moth, elephant hawk-moth (photo 3), and a vestal (photo 4) which is a migratory moth from southern Europe and north Africa. Can you see the upside down 8️⃣0️⃣ on the wing of the aptly-named 'figure of eighty' in photo 5?

See the full sightings diary: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/wildlife/latest-sightings/sightings-and-news-to-week-ending-23-august-2026

📸 1. Greenshank on the Rushy by Paul Clark, 2. to 5. by Ella Slinn

Address

WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch
Slimbridge
GL27BT

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441453891900

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share