This summer why not visit Slimbridge wetland centre with the kids. I can’t think of a better family day out if you are in the area. We love UK family days out and holidays and this is one of the best days out my family has had in a while. There are lots of wildlife to see, amazing play areas and so much more. This season has also seen the addition of a new interactive app that will enhance your visit even more.
Ad- Press trip. We were gifted entry in exchange for this review. All thoughts, photos and opinions are my own.
There are 10 Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) sites that you can visit across the UK. Before I discovered Slimbridge wetland centre whilst looking for things to do with kids in the Cotswolds, I had no idea that these sites were so fantastic for families. I imagined bird hides and nice countryside family walks. Read on to find out how far from the truth this is about WWT Slimbridge. I definitely need to find out if the other 9 make such great family days out too.
Where is Slimbridge Wetland centre?
Slimbridge wetland centre is located very close to Slimbridge village in Gloustershire (5 minute walk from Tudor caravan park where we were camping). Slimbridge is just outside of the Cotswolds and near the river Serven and the Sharpness canal.
The full address is – WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT
There is plenty of free car parking.
Birds at Slimbridge wetland centre
The star attraction has to be the 6 different species of flamingo. Did you know there are only 6 species of flamingo and the only place in Europe that you can see all 6 is Slimbridge wetland centre? My girls love flamingoes so they were thrilled to see them here. The different types are kept individually and they are spread out throughout the attraction.
Another highlight for us was the worlds rarest goose, the nene. In the newest area “Mission Possible”, you can find out all about how Sir Peter Scott developed techniques to had rear these geese and bring them back from the brink of extinction. We were lucky enough to see 10-day old ducklings on our visit to this new Hawaiian themed area.
Another bird highlight for my girls was feeding all the ducks and geese. You can buy bird seeds when you arrive (I think it was around £1.50 for a bag) and if you are lucky and brave you can even let a duck eat them from the palm of your hand.
Unfortunately, our visit was too early to see the Living Wetland Theatre and Waterscapes Aviary that is opening later this summer. The area looks amazing though so be sure to check it out once it is open. You can expect to watch birds flying overhead, films about the conservation work done at this wetland centre, live summer science demonstrations, watch ducks dive underwater in the dunk tank and discover wetland minibeasts.
There are numerous different hides for bird watching across the surrounding wetlands, scattered across the edges of WWT Slimbridge. These are much quieter areas of the attraction and there are some lovely country walks in these areas too.
Other wildlife at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
There are also otters in their own area and we were thrilled to see one swimming around on our visit. We also saw harvest mice, toads and much more in back from the brink and Toad hall.
We also loved the pond area where for one hour of the day they ran a pond dipping session. My girls loved this activity and my youngest even found a small stickleback fish.
Play areas at WWT Slimbridge
There are two amazing play areas at Slimbridge that my children loved and I’m sure yours will too.
The first area is Welly boot land and is nearest to the visitors centre and enterance.
Welly boot land is a wet play area that kids adore. The main feature is man made streams running around the area with various water features for kids to play with like water wheels, removable blocks so kids can alter water flow and so much more. There are also a few more traditional playground equipment like climbing frames but water is the main feature of this area.
We chose to visit this area last as we hadn’t expected it and hadn’t come prepared with towels and a change of clothes (we had them all in the van though so finishing the day with a splash was the perfect way to cool down).
The second play area is nearer to the back of the main area of WWT Slimbridge. This area is called Riverlife and features a large tower with slide and wobbly bridge. There are also swings, other balancing equipment and even a sandpit. Another really great play area for kids.
Even to just have one of these playgrounds would make this attraction great for kids but to have both is amazing. It’s also great to have one near the front and one nearer the back. Great for encouraging little legs to keep exploring.
Wetland heroes app
This new app has been created by Aardman animations and is free to download from Google Play or the Apple app store. The idea is for the app to enhance the natural surroundings and wildlife of Slimbridge and get visitors to visit parts that they might not usually visit.
There are a series of signs around the wetland centre that you scan with the app on your smart phone. Once you do this an animation starts off on the app and you unpack a new set of cards. These cards are filled with quizes, facts about the wildlife and more.
There are other fun features like these cute frames that you can take photos with. We loved the sounds that you can play to hear what the wildlife sound like and the cards that suggest things to do in the area you are currently in. There is also a map of where all the signs are which can also be used to find your way around the attraction too.
We love the gorgeous, cute and colourful animations in the app. The cards are great for dipping in and out of and teaching kids about the wildlife found here like the flamingoes and kingfisher. There are even extra seasonal packs that you can only get in the appropriate season. This means there’ll be new things to find each time you visit.
Canoe safari
For £10 per boat, you can hire a canoe (max 3 people per boat) and cruise down the 1km long trail and hopefully you’ll see water voles, dragonflies, warblers and ducks. We didn’t try this out as there were 4 of us but it did seem popular.
Our overall verdict
We had a fantastic day out at Slimbridge wetland centre. We had the perfect mix of walking, seeing wildlife, play areas and a little nature education too. We loved the Wetland hereos app which is so fun for kids and packed with things to learn. It really does enrich the wildlife experience of the attraction. I’m determined to look at some of the other 9 WWT sites and see which ones are as good for families as Slimbridge.
Top tips for visiting
- Plan to arrive early and make a full day out of your visit. There is so much to do for all the family.
- Buy some birdseed as you arrive. My girls loved feeding all the geese.
- Download the app before you arrive. I love using children’s love of technology to enhance their outdoor adventures.
- Picnics are welcome but the food outlets are also reasonably priced too.
- Pack a towel, water shoes and swimwear for the kids if the weather is warm. If not, don’t forget their welly boots, waterproofs and perhaps even a change of clothes.
- Tickets must be booked in advance. Book yours here.
More things to do with kids nearby
Under an hour away from Slimbridge is Puzzlewood which is another great family attraction. Find out more in my blog post – Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean review
Enjoy stunning walks surrounded by nature at Westonbirt Arboretum with lots of fun for kids too
A bit further away, but if you love splash parks, here are some ideas – Splash Parks, Aqua Parks and Outdoor Pools in (and around) Essex and East London