London Wetland Centre: a nature reserve just a few hours from London

Visit London Wetland Centre is a nature reserve located in Barnes.

Today, I'd like to take you on a tour of these must-see places.

London Wetland Centre: article summary

London Wetland Centre: at a glance

Watch the Asian otters at the center enjoy their meals twice a day, and laugh at their antics and juggling with pebbles.

Snuggle up with a pair of binoculars in one of the center's six hideaways or in the observatory and take wildlife watching seriously.

Brave the center's Wild Walk, which allows visitors to explore areas of the wetland that are usually off-limits using a rickety rope bridge and balancing logs.

There is so much to do at the London Wetland Centre that you could spend the whole day exploring the area.

Take a stroll through the gardens

Stroll through the Rain Garden and Slate Garden, where you'll see beautiful wildflowers, reeds, grasses and walkways.

There are also plenty of insect hotels, dragonflies, butterflies and even lizards if you take a leisurely stroll.

London Wetland Centre: climb the two-storey observatory for a panoramic view

The observatory is heated and equipped with bay windows and fixed telescopes. so you can see everything in the park.

More than 200 bird species live in and around the center, including birds, hawks and parakeets.

Visit the Discovery Centre to find out more

The Discovery Centre offers younger children the chance to explore and learn more about wetlands and the role they play in the natural world, and to discover how they can be used to enhance the natural environment. urban and rural water cycles.

Young environmentalists can solve riddles and learn everyday gestures to improve their carbon footprint.

Take time out for a bite to eat

The center has its own Kingfisher Kitchen and Water's Edge café, and both venues are family-friendly.

Kingfisher Kitchen offers fairly inexpensive children's meals like macaroni and cheese and traditional dishes.

There's also a coffee kiosk near the main entrance, as well as numerous picnic areas for al fresco dining with stunning views.

London Wetland Centre: some interesting facts

During development of the wetland site in the late 1990s, workers found a World War II bomb and required the services of a bomb disposal unit.

Between 1995 and 2000, over 300,000 aquatic plants and 27,000 trees were planted on the site.

In the first decade since its opening in May 2000, the number of bird species has risen from 132 to 161, and there are now over 220 different types of bird living in the wetland.

Facilities and accessibility

The London Wetland Centre is wheelchair accessible. The two-storey observatory and three-storey Peacock Tower have elevators.

Manual wheelchairs are available on site. Strollers are also welcome in and around the center, as are assistance and guide dogs.

Some doors and gates are heavy, but there's a team of roving volunteers ready to help, as well as any other needs you may have during your visit.

The center's gift store offers a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs, as well as educational books and other resources.

How do I get there?

Visit metro is Hammersmith. From there, it's a 10-15 minute walk over Hammersmith Bridge, followed by a five-minute bus via lines 209, 33, 419, 533 and 485 to the Red Lion pub, just 150 meters from the center.

The London Wetland Centre is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with the family. On site, you can take a breath of fresh air and discover new numerous animal species roam freely.

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