Beautiful! The WWT has two adorable otters (feedings at 11am and 2pm) and so many ducks and geese of different colors than I had ever imagined existed! There are a south and west paths to follow and several lookout centers along the way to get a birds eye view of the wetlands. They also offer talks giving information about the various geese and ducks they have there. I love nature but am not a bird watcher or enthusiast and I still felt quite interested in seeing what was there. Although a bit of a trek to get out there, especially from East London, I would say worth it if you would like a nice nature day and especially if you are a fan of ducks and geese. read more

See all

I had been meaning to go to this place for years since I moved to London. Finally managed to track it down and get some Autumn duck spotting on the calendar. This place is amazing, it is almost impossible to believe that you are in London when here, and you really are in London! Looking out over the wetland the horizon is this weird mish-mash of high-rise buildings and London landmarks, is really cool actually. Plenty of parking, and the best way to get there is by car, and you are given a free token to get out if you visit the centre, otherwise I think it'll cost you £7.50 to get out. The entrance building is also the gift shop, which you are able to wander around on your way out towards the exit. Nice little bird/duck related products, and it seems almost half the shop is dedicated to children's items! The wetland area itself is magnificent and there are loads of fabulously coloured ducks and geese for everyone to get excited about. The read-beds look beautiful in Autumn and that time of year also rewards you with a wide range of migratory birds to spy on from one of the numerous hides dotted around the site. If you have kids the highlight for them will most likely be the adventure area all the way at the end of the South Route. Be warned though, there is a maze of underground tunnels for little ones to play in and it is one-hell of a pain if they decide they don't want to leave or come out - those with bad backs and find it hard to bend should abstain! All in all a fabulous place that I cannot recommend highly enough, spoiled by one simple, yet vital element that this place HAS to get right - the cafe. The food is appalling, I mean really appalling...at least it was when we visited. "Undercooked, overcooked, bubbling free, the fish, beans and chips are all cooked dis-gus-ting-ly" (sung to the Wombles theme-tune). For a centre such as this, that can keep a family entertained all day very easily, it really is important to get the catering part right, even mediocre, but this place falls very short. But please visit, walk, listen, spy on the unsuspecting ducks, grovel in the playground...but avoid the indoor cafe if you possibly can. read more

See all

I fell in love with the Wetland Centre the moment we walked in. It's such a beautiful, peaceful place to walk around. I was initially most excited about the otters, but after seeing all the wonderful birds they have here, I have really developed an interest in bird-watching! I've been here twice in the space of three weeks, and both times have easily spent well over 5 hours there. The bird-feeding tour is highly recommended! And as expected, the otters feed is popular, so get there early (especially if you're short like me :) ) The staff are amazing here, and super friendly - in particular James at the front desk, who went out of his way during his break to help us find the one red-breasted goose badge they had in the cafe! We now have a joint couples membership, and have already booked a trip to the original Wetland sight in Slimbridge! read more

London Wetland Centre - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Barnes, XGL

See all

The London Wetland Centre is a little oasis in the middle of the city. It's amazing that it's possible to have a wildlife watch in an urban site The site is run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, a UK conservation group committed to saving wetlands across the UK. The Wetland Centre is located on the banks of the river Thames in Barnes. It caters a lot to schools but is also open to the public 364 days a year. There is ample parking on-site It is possible to see many birds including ducks, geese, swans and cranes as well as a colony of endangered voles. You can wander round on your own, making use of the 6 hides overlooking the lakes and pools in the reserve or there are free guided tours daily. There are also other amenities to try out like the adventure zone where there's a zip wire, a visitor centre with cinema, a discovery centre and a giftshop Well worth a trip and amazing that it's in London read more

I wasn't sure what to think about this gem in Barnes... ~ A wetlands in the middle of the city with planes flying over to Heathrow.. One for the animal observationists of you out there (and if your super wildlife crazy and looking for a wedding reception venue then this too could be your place). Thos of you who have a pair (I didn't) be sure to take those binoculars along and see how many different species you can locate in the wild from the various tower look out points across the 42 hectares. For those of you not so bird enthusiasts this is a place where you can still wander around and see the various types of birds etc and stroll the wetlands casually at your own pace. If you are fortunate enough some bird enthusiasts may even let you have a view through there binoculars (so I have been told - not the case when I went there). The facilites operate on donations to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust conservation group and I am not too sure how long this Wetland Centre has been in operation but some parts to me look run down or perhaps just unfinished. read more

The London Wetland Centre is located in Barnes, out west and sitting pretty on the south bank of the Thames. The Centre, part of a global network of wetland conservation sites, is protected by law and is designated a Special Site of Scientific Interest or SSSI. What that means to you and I is that this vast wetland, criss-crossed by pathways, is a haven for all sorts of creepy crawlies, birds, fish, plants and other wildlife that are both individually and collectively rare, special, worthy of preserving and worthy of visiting. Whilst the wetland centre is beautiful, it is not free and entry is £10. For some this will seem like a bargain, given it provides access to all kinds of animals and habitats. This place is a twitcher's paradise, with a number of hides providing shelter and camouflage for a spot of bird watching. There is more here than just bird watching, however, with pleasant walks, interactive outdoor exhibits, otters, and pond dipping (for both adults and children). If you are an outdoors-y nature lover this is a great find and could quickly become a regular haunt. However, if you're more of an urbanite, seeking fast paced human and cultural interaction, a trip to Barnes would be off the mark. read more

You wouldn't believe this used to be a water treatment plant. This is a haven in London for wildlife and nature. What was once a treatment plant is now a area for various wetland birds and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest Well worth visiting and is a great neighbour, you've got plenty of birds visiting all year round with your summer visitors popping in during the summer months, in the winter you get the birds from the north coming to visit. There are all year round residents such as the Ducks and Swans.. It is also pretty close to where a breading pair of peregrine falcons live so if your lucky you may get to see them hunting.. read more

We could not believe we were so close to central London! It's a wonderful escape you'll need to allow at least half a day to enjoy properly. Can get busy, especially at weekends and during school holidays. Go early, before the crowds arrive! read more

Otters! OK, the birds are very nice, the facilities are well-considered and don't detract from the wild nature of the place, and the exhibits are informational but not overwhelming or overly technical. But the real draw for my wife was the otters, who are fed twice a day and are highly entertaining. I'm told that they're even more active during the warmer months, so we'll probably be back to see them again. Overall, the Wetland Centre is a nice outdoor area for walking around and getting a small dose of the wild very near Central London. It's not difficult to get there via the Piccadilly line and the 283 bus, which winds up right out front. read more

This place is so tranquil that it makes you forget that you are in London. The London Wetland Centre has been very well thought out to engage visitors of all ages and it is definitely a great day out for kids, as mentioned in the previous review, but it's also a good spot for adults who want to escape to a rural setting if only for the day. There are some great hides if you fancy some bird watching, but I have to admit that I prefer going for a stroll in the meadows then relaxing at the waterside cafe. You'll see all sorts of wildlife, the visitors centre is full of information about the animals at the centre and if you have specific questions the staff are always happy to tell you more. This really is a fun day out for all and trust me you'll be astounded by all the wildlife and then you'll be astounded again when you remember that you're in London. read more

Meh. Mostly ducks and geese. Lots of signs telling you which exotic and interesting birds can be found in various continents, but pointedly not to be found at the Wetlands. You'll see more bird diversity in Regents' Park - and not have to pay the rather expensive entry price to do so. read more

A great day out in London to do something completely different. You see a fantastic variety of birds if you look out for them but there's also some failsafe attractions such as the education center, playground and different animals in a petting zoo type enclosure. Definitely great for families with younger children. Just a perfect way to relax and get away from all the stress of city life for a day! read more

The London Wetland Centre in Barnes is one of our favourite places to go in the holidays. The children can learn all about the wildlife and look at the birds in the observatory. The adventure playground is well worth a visit too. There's a maze of child-sized burrows, a wall made of boulders to climb over and a river - great fun, and feels like a little bit of the country right in the heart of London. read more

Form the 1st of December to the 22nd this palce will be busy as it selling Christmas trees to the public.There sre some nice big ones to choose from. read more

A huge conservation area in South West London. A really good day out, although best enjoyed on a dry day! There are observatories as you walk around the site which provide shelter to view the birds if it's not as dry as you'd like! It's a really lovely opportunity to see so many birds in an open space so close to central London. If you travel by train, you can get 2 for 1 entry if you go to http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk . read more

In November 2010 I attended an event on biodiversity at the British Library. Questions from the audience included things like how best to bring back biodiversity to urban environments and engage young people with nature. I can't think of a example of where this works better than the London Wetland Centre. Not only is it a haven for water birds, water voles and all sorts of other creatures, it is a haven for people as well. There are lots of things to see and do for adults and children alike. Tell me, what beats mucking around with water and not being told off! True, there is a lot of noise from aeroplanes, but it can't really spoil the fun for me. It is in the top 3 of my favourite places in London. read more

This is a bit far out but it's the nearest you'll get to a wonderful wetlands in London so definitely worth the trip if you have a particular interest in wetland birds. Thre's flamingos here during migratory season as well s some year round species. read more