Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT
London

Location Map
See a map

Nearest Station
Hammersmith (District)

About London Wetland Centre

London Wetland Centre is a beautiful wildlife reserve in the heart of the capital with scenic walkways which meander amongst lakes, ponds, meadows and gardens. It's the perfect spot for a relaxing walk or for watching wildlife in its natural surroundings.

Wandering among the flowers and trees it's easy to believe you're in the countryside, but from some vantage points the London skyline acts as a spectacular backdrop to this beautiful rural setting. Take a walk through World Wetlands to see some of the most exotic ducks from around the globe and learn about the conservation work that keeps them safe from extinction.

Numerous wild ducks, swans and other birds have made the Centre their home and spring is the perfect time to watch the mallard ducklings waddling after their mothers, or to see baby grebes hitching a ride on their parents' backs. Watch out for water voles feeding on the yellow flag iris and butterflies drinking from the flowers in Wildside. If you're lucky you may also see our resident slow worms as well as some nationally scarce plants such as the gorgeous snakes' head fritillary. From the sand martin nest bank you can see, close up, these amazing avian acrobats swooping and diving across the lake, catching insects to feed their young. In summer the centre is also a prime feeding ground for bats. To see these fascinating creatures book on to one of the Centre's evening bat walks. The autumn bird migration brings a variety of wildlife surprises with many unusual species dropping in to rest and feed. And in winter you can see large numbers of colourful wintering ducks and try to spot one of the Centre's highlights, the elusive bittern which hides in the reedbeds.

It is this astonishing level of wildlife that inspired Chris Packham, BBC Springwatch presenter, to describe the Centre as, "One of the most important conservation projects of the past century. Its broad range of habitats brings a huge variety of water birds, amphibians and small mammals to the heart of the capital, giving millions of people the opportunity to encounter wildlife up close."

You can enjoy one of the guided walks around the Centre who will point out some of the wildlife highlights of the day or simply sit quietly in one of the hides. Take time out to relax in the Water's Edge Café with lunch and a glass of wine.

All this just a convenient 10 minute bus ride from Hammersmith tube station.

Gift Aid Admission: Adult: £10.99 Concession: £8.20 (over 65 years, full-time students, unemployed) Child: £6.10 (4-16 years) Family: £30.60 (2 adults & 2 children, 4-16 years) Children (under 4 years): Free Please note: you may be asked for proof of age, student ID or proof that you are receiving Job Seekers Allowance to qualify for concession admission prices Essential helpers assisting disabled visitors: Free

Non-Gift Aid Admission:

If you choose not to pay the Gift Aid price, these are the prices excluding the voluntary donation. Adult: £9.99 Concession: £7.45 (over 65 years, disabled, full-time students, unemployed) Child: £5.55 (4 -16 years) Family: £27.82 (2 adults & 2 children, 4 - 16 years)

Opening times... Open 7 days a week, except 25 December. Winter opening time until Saturday 24 March 2012 9.30am to 5pm (last admission 4pm). Summer opening time until Saturday 27 October 2012 9.30am to 6pm (last admission 5pm). Early closing on 24 December (last admission 2pm, centre closes at 3pm) Water's Edge Cafe: last orders 4.30pm in winter and 5.30pm in summer Water's Edge Cafe: closes 5.00pm in winter and 6.00pm in summer

IMAGE: Marsh Marigolds by Ross Paxton

Upcoming Events at London Wetland Centre

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Official Website
www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/