Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Gloucestershire
Slimbridge is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife, most notably the wildfowl that visit it. What you see can vary according to the time of year and luck however there is always plenty of swans, ducks, flamingoes and geese. Many of the species you see will be endangered or rare.
There is also ‘Crane School’ where young cranes are being reared. Keep your eyes open also for sightings of kingfishers or birds of prey.
Information plaques are available as you walk around the centre.
I must admit we always seem to end up ‘just’ taking a walk through the beautiful grounds admiring and taking photos of the many birds before going for lunch! However there are many other ways to explore and many other ways to enjoy yourself there including taking a canoe or landrover safari or joining a guided walk. One day we fully intend to try the safaris out but its such a relaxing place to be and us being members who have visited a few times there never seems to be any hurry to do so.
There is also a Visitor’s Centre and, for the serious twitcher, hides are available. There are paths throughout the grounds so there is no need for wellies unless you are a small child wanting to have fun in their new play area, Welly Boot Land.
The WWF works to manage, develop and protect wetlands, which are being destroyed faster than any other ecosystem. They have 9 centres like Slimbridge throughout the UK including Ireland, Wales and Scotland. We worked out that by joining the WWF we could support the work they do and only 4 visits a year would mean we had saved our membership fee (2 adults joining – members get entry to WWF Wetland Centres free).
Photos taken February and October 2008. For more photos please click on the bird button! 
INDIE SHAMAN REVIEW INFORMATION
Recommended? Highly recommended
Opening Hours All year round apart from 25 December
Children Welcome? Yes
Dogs Welcome? No because of the birds. Guide and hearing dogs by prior arrangement only
Accessibility
- Level access and tarmac on main routes
- All buildings fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs
- 12 of their 15 hides accessible to wheelchairs
- Free electric scooter and manual wheelchair hire (advance booking recommended)
- Hearing and guide dogs welcome by prior arrangement
- Wheelchair accessible toilets in centre & car park
- Free Car near to Centre including disabled parking bays
Facilities
- Free parking
- Restaurant – food ethically sourced, reasonably priced and very nice! Includes sandwiches & hot meals
- Toilet facilities excellent – inside centre & in car park
- Shop – good range including many Fair Trade goods
- Cinema showing wildlife documentaries & films
- Wildlife art on display
WEBSITE & LOCATION
Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Located near the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester.
Address - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT
ACCOMMODATION IN AREA (click on name for website)
- A family run put ½ mile from Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre
- Accommodation in the Tudor Arms Lodge - 12 bedrooms all on suite
- Caravan and camping site
- Bar and restaurant menu
- CAMRA’s “Gloucester Country Pub of the Year” in 2007 & 2008.
- Quiet country site behind the Tudor Arms right alongside the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal
- Open all year round
- Dogs welcome
- Children Welcome
- Adults Only Area
- Electric Hook Ups
- AA 3 Pennant graded park
- David Bellamy Conservation Award and David Bellamy 5 Year Commitment to Conservation Award
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY
The village of Slimbridge
The village of Berkley