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Visitor Information

**Please take note that our lift to the reserve is currently out of order, but maintenance works have started but look likely to contiune for a few weeks.  Until it is back in working order the reserve can only be accessed by two flights of stairs within the visitor centre.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.**

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Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

2012 admission prices

Prices are shown inclusive of Gift Aid and without. The Gift Aid admission price includes a voluntary donation, which enables us to claim the tax back as part of the Government's Gift Aid scheme. Further information on Gift Aid click here.

How to find us

By rail

Mainline railway: Littleport 5 miles.

By car

Welney Wetland Centre is located 12 miles north of Ely, 26 miles north of Cambridge and 33 miles east of Peterborough. It is 2 miles south of Welney village turning off the A1101 at the New Bedford Suspension Bridge, signposted Ten Mile Bank.

Occasionally, the A1101 between Welney Village and Suspension Bridge floods and is closed to cars. Under such circumstances, access to WWT Welney is always possible from Ely or Downham Market, off the A10.

By bike

Follow this link to the Sustrans National Cycle Network website for a location map and details of local cycle routes.

Site Information

The A1101 between Welney village and Suspension Bridge is open, for more up-to-date flooding information please call floodline on 0845 988 1188. Access to the Welney Wetland Centre is also possible from the A10 at Littleport or Ten Mile Bank.

All hides are open except for the new Nelson-Lyle hide (replacing the old Buxton hide) which is in the final stages of preparation before it is available for use.   

A section of the summer walk will be remaining open (water levels permitting) to give access to an area particularly good for watching the flocks of wintering wildfowl.

Opening times

Open 7 days a week, except 25 December

Please note new cafe opening times for 2012

Winter (Mon 31 October 2011 - Sun 26 February 2012)

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
10.00am to 5.00pm - Visitor centre/shop/reserve

Thursdays - Sundays
10.00am to 8.00pm – Visitor centre/shop/reserve

Late night last admission at 6.30pm.

Wigeon cafe is open:

10am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday
10am - 6.30pm Saturday & Sunday

Summer (Mon 27 February - Sun 28 October 2012)

9.30am to 5.00pm - Visitor Centre, Shop, Reserve and Observatory
10am to 3.30pm - Wigeon Cafe

Last admissions are at 4.30pm

Occasionally, during the winter months, the A1101 between Welney village and Suspension bridge is flooded. This flooding can also affect access to some parts of the reserve. At these times, regular updates will be posted on the website. In times when there is no flooding, no further notice will be posted. If you are unsure about the current conditions, or would like further information, please call the centre on 01353 860711 before you leave home.

For details of our swan feed experience and feeding times please see our winter swan season page

Facilities

Eating

The fully Licensed Wigeon Cafe offers a delicious selection of hot and cold food, a variety of coffees and chilled drinks, and tempting home-made cakes. From healthy vegetarian salads to hearty meat dishes, all can be enjoyed overlooking the beautiful wetlands.

Hot food served between 12noon and 2.30pm.

If you would like to hire our venues please contact the centre on 01353 860711 or email info.welney@wwt.org.uk to talk to the catering and bookings teams.

Shopping

The gift shop stocks a wide range of wildlife books, outdoor clothing, bird feeders/boxes, postcards and stationary, children’s gifts and souvenirs of your visit to the centre, including a unique range of products featuring the artwork of WWT founder Sir Peter Scott.

A range binoculars and telescopes are sold in the gift shop with trained staff on hand to explain the different products. Furthermore In Focus optics hold sales events throughout the year. An expert is on hand to give advice and guidance whatever your budget plus a percentage of sales goes directly to the conservation work of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Please contact the centre for upcoming dates.

Terms of entry

Visitors are asked to respect the habitats and wildlife of the Welney Wetland Centre by keeping to the paths at all times and not causing undue noise. It is especially important to remain quiet in the bird viewing hides.

No dogs are permitted on site, other than assistance dogs.

Occasionally, the A1101 between Welney Village and Suspension Bridge floods and is closed to cars. Under such circumstances, access to WWT Welney is always possible from Ely or Downham Market, off the A10. Under exceptional circumstances, WWT reserve the right to cancel an evening floodlit feed to due to severe weather or, for example, a power cut.

Accessibility

• The centre and reserve has tarmac or hard-surfaced paths on main routes.
• Low-level viewing windows in bird hides. Heated bird-watching in main observatory.
• Lift access to upper floors of visitor centre and bridge to reserve.
• Free wheelchair loan (including one electric wheelchair which should be booked in advance).
• Fixed hearing loops in education area and in observatory.
• Assistance dogs permitted. No other dogs permitted.
• Accessible toilets on both floors of the visitor centre
• Free car parking on site. Tarmac surface and reserved bays for disabled visitors.
• For more information & to see our accessibility statement, click here.

Photography  

The main observatory at Welney has a photography basement for use by primarily professional photographers. The basement provides low-level viewing ports to capture incredible wildlife shots particularly during the winter swan season.

The photography basement will be available for use from 1 October 2011 until 31 March 2012, to allow opportunities to photograph our wonderful winter wildlife. This is to minimise disturbance on the reserve during the breeding season. Basement use is also dependent on the water levels of the reserve.

A minimum donation of £30 per person per day is requested from photographers wishing to use the basement. Admission rates also apply.

Access is during reserve opening times only and at the discretion of the duty warden. Sessions must be pre-booked by contacting the centre on 01353 860711 or info.welney@wwt.org.uk

Accommodation

Listed below are details of the local tourist information centres:

Kings Lynn
The Custom House, Purfleet Quay, Norfolk PE30 1HP
T: 01553 763044 (24 hours)
E: kings-lynn.tic@west-norfolk.gov.uk

Downham Market
The Priory Centre, Priory Road, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9JS
T: 01366 383287 (24 hours)
E: downham-market.tic@west-norfolk.gov.uk

Ely
Oliver Cromwell`s House, 29 St. Mary`s Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4HF.
T: 01353 662062
E: tic@eastcambs.gov.uk

Cambridge
Wheeler Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England CB2 3QB
T: 08712 268 006
F: 01223 457 549
E: tourism@cambridge.gov.uk