{"id":33690,"date":"2024-01-04T17:01:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T16:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4f13a606-3b55-4e74-825a-69c7b2342a56"},"modified":"2024-01-04T17:39:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T16:39:26","slug":"slimbridge-wetland-centre-gloucestershire-what-to-see-and-do","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/slimbridge-wetland-centre-gloucestershire-what-to-see-and-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire: what to see and do"},"content":{"rendered":"

From nest-building kingfishers and singing warblers to flamboyant flamingos, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve is perfect for a day out with the family.\u00a0Just don\u2019t forget your binoculars. <\/p>

By Abigail Whyte\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 04 January 2024 at 16:01 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Visit Slimbridge Wetland Centre<\/a> on a sunny day and it’s easy to see why founder Sir Peter Scott referred to this place as the “avian Serengeti”. Not that it needs to be sunny \u2013 even on rainy days WWT Slimbridge is a joy.<\/p>

Where is Slimbridge Wetland Centre (WWT) ?<\/h2>

Slimbridge WWT is in Gloucestershire<\/a> in South West England and is easily accessed from Bristol, Bath and Cardiff.<\/p>

When was Slimbridge created?<\/h2>

Son of Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Peter created a patchwork of wetland habitats on this vast stretch of land by the Severn estuary in the 1950s. He even built his family home here, with his huge living room window overlooking the lake.<\/p>

Sir Peter began to build his collection of waterbirds and wildfowl from around the world, and within a few years wild birds began to appear. They are now an integral part of the reserve, especially when thousands make it their temporary home during their annual migrations<\/a>.<\/p>

Discover more stunning nature reserves<\/a>, including Caerlaverock<\/a> in Scotland, Arne<\/a> in Dorset and Attenborough<\/a> in Nottinghamshire.<\/p>

The Living Wetlands Theatre at Slimbridge\/Credit: Geograph<\/figcaption><\/figure>

What wildlife can you see at Slimbridge?<\/h2>

Wintering birds are considered by many to be the star attraction at Slimbridge. Some 30,000 ducks<\/a>, geese<\/a> and swans<\/a> settle here, feeding and roosting on the reserve.<\/p>

Look out for Bewick’s swans<\/a>, white-fronted geese<\/a>, lapwings<\/a>, water rails, curlews<\/a>, marsh harriers, shovelers and teal<\/a>, to name a few.<\/p>

The reserve teems with birdlife in spring too, when kingfishers<\/a> are busy excavating nest holes, cranes are breeding, and chiffchaffs<\/a> and warblers <\/a>mark their territory with riotous song.<\/p>

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One of the winter stars of Slimbridge is the Berwick’s swan\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Things to do at Slimbridge<\/h2>

The reserve hosts a range of activities throughout spring and summer, including an Easter trail, pond dipping and wildlife photography courses.<\/p>

It’s worthwhile spending the entire day here, to meander between the different habitats and bird hides \u2013 places that invite you to slow down, peer through binoculars<\/a> and watch the frenzy of activity going on across the lakes, salt marsh and sedge beds.<\/p>

Children will love ogling the cosy harvest mice<\/a>, the rollicking otters<\/a> and, of course, the flock of flamingos <\/a>in the South American pen, flagging their heads in a dazzling courtship display.<\/p>

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Flamingos at Slimbridge\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

However, with the Canoe Safari, museum, play areas, amphibian exhibit and 2,000 acres of wetland to explore, there’s lots to keep the family amused for a whole day in the fresh Gloucestershire air.<\/p>

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Canada goose chick at Slimbridge\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Slimbridge webcam<\/h2>

For those who like to keep an eye on current activity at Slimbridge but don’t have the means to be there themselves, it’s worth checking out the Slimbridge webcam<\/a>.<\/p>

The webcam is angled over the Rushy lake, one of Sir Peter Scott’s favourite Slimbridge viewpoints. Which waders and waterbirds can you spot?<\/p>

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The Slimbridge webcam overlooks Rushy lake\/Credit: Geograph<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Slimbridge camping<\/h2>

Tudor Caravan Park<\/a> in Slimbridge is the perfect place for campers and caravaners to stay when visiting Slimbridge and the wider Cotswolds landscape.<\/p>

The park is open all year round and located just 800m from WWT Slimbridge. The Tudor Arms Pub and Restaurant is right next to Tudor Caravan Park, offering holidayers a warm, cosy place to hunker down for the evening.<\/p>

Tudor Arms<\/h2>

Perched beside the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal, directly opposite Tudor Caravan Park, is the 18th-century Tudor Arms<\/a>. The family operated pub serves cask ales and keg ales, stouts, lagers and ciders, as well as classic pub food.<\/p>

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The Tudor Arms Slimbridge\/Credit: Geograph<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/body><\/html>\n
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