Welcome to "A Guide to
Wildfowl & Photography at Slimbridge Wetland Centre".
WWT Slimbridge is a wetland reserve situated close to Slimbridge village near to Dursley, Gloucestershire.
It was the first Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) to be opened, on the 10th of November 1946, due to the vision of
Sir Peter Scott.
View from Sloane Tower. (©Nigel Key May 2017)
Slimbridge Wetland Centre cares for and studies ducks, geese and swans of the world and offers excellent opportunity for bird watchers and photography.
WWT Slimbridge covers 3 square kilometres of which 500,000 square metres has been landscaped and is open to the public.
As well as being a fantastic place to visit, WWT Slimbridge is very important to maintain and preserve Wetlands.
They are essential for storing and cleaning water, helping to prevent floods and storms.
Freshwater Wetlands hold over 40% of all known species,
covering just 6% of the Earth's surface and yet they store around 35% of the Worlds Carbon.
Over the last Century, half of the World's inland wetlands have been lost with 15% of wetlands bird species in decline and 30% of wetland mammals threatened.
Sloane Observation Tower. (©Nigel Key May 2017)
Sloane Observation Tower is positioned above the Visitor Centre giving amazing views of the Cotswold escarpment in the East and the Forest of Dean in the West.
Click to view images.
Access to the tower is from the Visitor Centre by either stairs or lift. Entry is free but you will need to get a token from a member of staff to comply with their Health & Safety rules.
You can help to protect wetland habitats in the UK and around the World by becoming a member of the WWT,
visit official WWT site for details.
WWT Slimbridge also offers the following activities: -
 | Welly Boot Land - visit the outdoor wet playground suitable for all the family. |
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| RBC Rain Garden - visit the award winning Chelsea Show Garden. |
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| Otter Feeds - visit the otter pool and listen to talks and watch them being fed. |
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| Toad Hall Talks - visit Toad Hall in the visitor centre and listen to one of the amphibian talks. |
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| Guided Walks - enjoy a guided tour of Slimbridge. |
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| Canoe Safari - explore the one kilometre waterway by canoe. (extra charge applies) |
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| Land Rover Safari - take a tour of the Slimbridge reserve from a covered trailer with a warden. (extra charge applies) |
How to find WWT Slimbridge
| Opening Times |
| November to March 9:30am - 5:00pm |
| April to October 9:30am - 5:30pm |
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| Last admission one hour before closing. |
| Christmas eve 9:30am - 3:00pm. |
| Christmas Day - Closed. |
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| Directions (Official WWT Slimbridge Website) |
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There are nine
Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) Centres in the UK.
WWT Arundel, in West Sussex
WWT Caerlaverock, in Dumfriesshire
WWT Castle Espie, in County Down
WWT Llanelli, in Carmarthenshire
WWT London, Barnes
WWT Martin Mere, in Lancashire
WWT Slimbridge, in Gloucestershire
WWT Washington, in Tyne & Wear
WWT Welney, in Norfolk
Andean & Lesser Flamingos
