Welcome to Walthamstow Wetlands, a huge, internationally important reserve. Just 15 minutes from central London, and free to visit, you will find a unique haven to explore, enjoy and connect with nature.
How big is the London Wetland Centre?
105 acre
The site is a 44 hectare (105 acre) mosaic of recreated UK wetland habitat including open water, reedbed, grazing marsh, ponds, wet woodland and flooded meadow. It is situated in Barnes in SW London and benefits from the city’s extensive transport links.
When did London Wetlands open?
2000
When it opened its doors in 2000, London Wetland Centre was the largest man-made wetland in any capital city of the world, with a beautiful network of shallow pools and wetland meadows for birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects.
Can I park at London Wetland Centre?
There is free parking for visitors to our wetland centre, please input your car registration details at admissions. We now have 4 public electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in place, available to visitors at a charge of 25p/kWH, to cover electricity costs.
How long does it take to walk around London Wetland Centre?
1-2 hours
Walking distance: 3 km / 2 miles (total length of trails) Suggested duration: 1-2 hours including frequent stops to explore the wildlife.
Does UK have wetlands?
Wildlife-rich wetlands
The rain-drenched lands of the UK offer perfect conditions for the formation of wetlands. These places where water and dry land meet are home to a wide range of species, from dragonflies and damselflies, to wading curlew and snipe; from carnivorous plants to flitting butterflies.
How much UK wetland has been lost?
90 per cent
In the UK we’ve lost 90 per cent of our wetland habitats in the last 100 years and over 10 per cent of our freshwater and wetland species are threatened with extinction. Two thirds of existing species are in decline.
How much of the UK is wetland?
Together, the freshwater habitat covers around 12% of land in the UK.
How many wetlands are in the UK?
WWT and Ramsar. The United Kingdom, including the Overseas Territories, now has 175 Ramsar sites, more than any other nation (although some are very small). Seven WWT reserves form part of a Ramsar wetland.
Where are the wetlands in England?
Wallasea Wetlands is a reclaimed wetlands area located in Essex, England. It has been created as part of a government-funded wetlands scheme to halt the decline of wild and endangered birds caused by the drainage and development of former wetland sites.
What is the best time to visit wetlands?
The Autumn months of April and May are cooler and therefore a great time to visit. Spring time (September until November) brings the most amount of rain but the wetlands are at their most colourful at this time of year. These months are also the breeding season for lots of animals, so wildlife viewing is good.
Is London wetlands in congestion zone?
The centre is located just off the main A306. Once in Barnes, you can follow the brown tourist signs to the centre. The centre is situated outside the London Congestion Charging Zone.
How much is admission to the Wetlands Institute?
$8.00
Admission: $8.00 ages 13 and up; $6.00 ages 3-12. Members admitted FREE. Find out about memberships here. Fun is a major part of every visit to The Wetlands Institute, as everything here combines both education and entertainment!
How long is the London Loop walk?
150 miles
The London Outer Orbital Path, or LOOP, almost completely encircles Greater London. Nearly 150 miles are split into 24 sections between Erith station and Purfleet. Find detailed walk guidance with maps for all sections of the London LOOP on the Ramblers website (updated May 2022).
Can you walk the full length of the Thames?
It is about 185 miles (298 km) long. A path was first proposed in 1948 but it only opened in 1996. The Thames Path’s entire length can be walked, and a few parts can be cycled. Some parts of the Thames Path, particularly west of Oxford, are subject to flooding during the winter.
Are dogs allowed in the wetland Centre?
WWT accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to vehicles. Unfortunately we can’t allow dogs or pets of any kind on site, with the exception of Assistance dogs (trained by member organisations of ADUK) on duty, as our wildlife may become distressed.
Does London have a marsh?
Hackney Marsh is one of the largest areas of common land in Greater London, with 136.01 hectares (336.1 acres) of protected commons.
What is Britain’s largest area of wetland?
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are Britain’s largest protected wetland and are unlike anywhere else. A rich tapestry of landscape, water and wildlife; woven together by history.
What cities are built on wetlands?
Some of the biggest cities in the U.S. were built on top of wetlands, including Boston, Massachusetts; San Francisco, California; and Washington, D.C. In fact, the “tidal basin” in front of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., often floods the surrounding sidewalks with water from the Potomac River.
What is the 50 20 rule wetlands?
The “50/20 rule”:
that individually or together account for more than 50 percent of the total coverage of vegetation in the stratum, plus any additional species that, by itself, comprises at least 20 percent of the total.
How deep is the water in wetlands?
Marshes and deep water wetlands have water depths between six inches and six feet. Some of these wetlands have standing water year-round, others for only part of the year. They support plant life both above and below the water surface.