WWT London Wetland Centre

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The London Wetland Centre is a 105 acre award-winning nature reserve and London’s first large-scale, man-made, inner city wetland reserve. One of the 21st Century’s greatest urban conservation projects.

The London Wetland Centre provides a safe haven for a wide range of wildlife – from birds to bats, water voles to amphibians – and deliver a slice of the great British Countryside to the heart of our concrete capital city.

Opened by Sir David Attenborough in 2000, the nature reserve is formed from four disused Victorian reservoirs, tucked into a loop on the south bank of the River Thames. The centre features a variety of wetland habitats including lakes, pools, reedbeds and wet grasslands, all of which attract an incredible array of wildlife, some of which cannot easily be seen anywhere else in London.

The centre’s six hides, including a three storey hide and a two-storey glass-fronted observatory, provide plenty of places for visitors to survey the wildlife from. Beginner bird watchers will want to head to the Headley Discovery Hide, which has large windows, comfy seating, binoculars and bird ID books inside. While those wanting to get into nature itself can head into the centre’s meadows and gardens to pick up tips on creating their own wildlife garden or window box or take part in one of the events during the year. The centre is open 364 days per year.

Those wishing to get up-close to some of the duck species can visit Duck Tales, to feed the domestic ducks each day, or can join the afternoon bird feed tour at the weekends when wardens feed a diverse array of key flagship waterfowl species, representative of different wetland biomes from around the planet. 

A highlight of any visit are the centre’s Asian short-clawed otters, which can be seen in the daily commentated feeds. Daily spotlight talks will provide further insight into the centre’s history and its many inhabitants. London Wetland Centre is not only a conservation project but also a living, ever-changing experience with a wealth of events throughout the year.

Round off your visit to the London Wetland Centre with food and drink from the new Kingfisher Kitchen, before browsing in the centre’s gift shop.  Support the London Wetland Centre and its wildlife by visiting today.

Sir David Attenborough, who has launched the Centre, said: "The reserve is the ideal model for how humankind and the natural world may live side by side in the 21st century."

Pleae note, only assistance dogs are allowed into the centre. From an animal welfare point of view, we would prefer it if you did not bring your dog with you and leave it in your car as there is no shade in our car park.