Coronavirus

From the experience of the last few months, we know that the situation changes frequently. We do our best to keep the information here on our website completely up to date, but sometimes that’s not 100% possible. You may find that on the day you visit we’ve had to close something, or we’ve been able to open up something that was previously restricted. We hope that doesn’t affect your enjoyment of your day.

Are you open?

Yes, all our sites are open apart from our Llanelli site, which is currently closed until further notice following Welsh Government guidelines.

In order to visit one of our Wetland Centres, you will need to pre-book online for everyone in your household or bubble, including children under four and carers. Booking is available via the bookings page for the Wetland Centre you wish to visit.

There will be no charge if you are a WWT member.

Places are limited in order to manage the number of people on site and help keep everyone safe. Please bear with us if you find we’re fully booked. We are increasing the number of places available as and when it is safe to do so.

Steart Marshes in Somerset is an open access nature reserve. There is no need to book to visit.

We put your safety, and that of our local communities and our staff and volunteers first. We’re following the latest government guidelines, so we’ve made some adjustments on site. You’ll find further details are on the bookings pages for each site.

Please ensure you follow the law and government guidelines at all times. From Monday 14 September it will be against the law in England and Scotland to meet people you do not live with in a group larger than six.

What time can I arrive?

You can arrive any time during opening hours on your chosen day, unless otherwise specified on your booking confirmation. You can find opening times under the Plan Your Visit section of your centre’s web pages.

Are toilets available?

Toilets are available at all our centres but please be aware that we’ve closed some because they’re simply too small for safe use. Please ask a member of staff on site if you need directions to the nearest facilities.

We’ve also increased our toilet cleaning regime, and we have plenty of hand sanitiser available around the site.

Can I feed the birds on my visit?

You can buy grain to feed the birds at Castle Espie, Llanelli, Martin Mere, Slimbridge and Washington Wetland Centres. We will reinstate handfeeding at Arundel Wetland Centre once we’re sure it won’t lead to crowding.

We promise our wardens are feeding the birds regularly though. They’re not going hungry, so please don’t bring any bread or bird food of your own.

Is there wheelchair access?

Most of our paths and areas are designed for easy access for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. A couple of our hides are unsuitable currently.

You can hire mobility scooters or wheelchairs at Castle Espie, London, Martin Mere, Washington and Welney Wetland Centres. You’re welcome to bring your own mobility scooter or wheelchair to any of our sites as usual.

Are hides open?

There are hides open at every one of our wetland sites. A few are closed, either entirely or on the upper floors, because their layout prevents people from keeping a safe distance. We’re monitoring the hides carefully and restricting numbers inside. There are clear signs to help you use them safely.

Please be mindful of others and don’t linger too long as others may be waiting. We’re cleaning hides twice a day. And we’re keeping the doors and windows open so you don’t have to touch them and there is plenty of fresh air.

Are playgrounds open at your centres?

We’ve opened play areas where we can safely but we’ve had to put some restrictions in place. You’ll find play areas open at Arundel, Castle Espie, Martin Mere, Slimbridge and Washington Wetland Centres. Please check bookings pages for each site for details.

What advice do you have for parents and carers of small children?

• Children will have more fun if they wear clothes and shoes appropriate to an outdoor space
• We love seeing excited children at our sites but we would ask parents and carers to help children with social distancing requirements
• All of our sites have baby changing facilities and toilets. We have increased our checking and cleaning of these facilities. Some of our toilets have signs on them saying “One person at a time” but its ok for a parent/ carer to go in with a small child to help them with toileting and hand washing
• We have hand washing facilities and hand gel at our sites, please encourage your child to regularly use them

Are your shops and cafes open?

Takeaway drinks and snacks are available along with some shop goods at all our wetland sites (except Steart Marshes).

How can I contact you about my membership?

Please email us at supporter@wwt.org.uk. We continue to pick up telephone messages remotely so, if you can’t email, please leave us a brief message including your name, membership number (or postcode) along with an email address or phone number, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

How can I renew my membership at this time?

Thank you so much for your continued support. If you’ve recently received a renewal letter from us, you can now renew your membership at www.wwt.org.uk/renew or complete the form on your renewal letter and post it back to us. Please note that we are unable to renew your membership at our centres during this time.

Can I get a discount or pause my membership at this time?

Thank you so much for your support to-date. As a charity your membership does so much more than help us run our Wetland Centres. Our conservation work protects wetlands, wildlife and people’s wellbeing across the world. Keeping your membership going ensures we are here in the future to continue that work, thank you.

However, we recognise that this is a worrying time for many of our supporters. If you are concerned about not being able to continue your membership for financial reasons, or feel you’ve not received the full value from your membership, we would like to help. Find out if you’re eligible for help with your membership.

I am a member in the ‘at risk’ category and so won’t be able to visit my local centre. Are there any other ways I can keep in touch at this time?

Over the coming weeks, we will continue to do all we can to bring nature to you at home. If you haven’t already, you can sign up to our newsletter here. Links to our social media channels are at the bottom of this page.

I have pre-booked as a member but now can’t visit – can I cancel my booking?

If you are a member, please contact tickets@wwt.org.uk 48 hours before the day of the ticket to let us know so that we can offer your space to other visitors.

How can I donate to support WWT’s work at this time?

You can donate towards our Emergency Appeal at www.wwt.org.uk/emergency. Thank you so much for supporting our vital conservation work at this time.

Can I get my money back on admission if I join as member online after my visit?

Unfortunately, you are unable to redeem an admission ticket against an online membership at this time. If you are thinking of joining WWT please join online prior to purchasing an admission ticket to be able to gain free access to each of our 9 Wetland Centres across the UK throughout your membership period.

How can I redeem the complimentary ticket from my adoption?

We've been working hard to get discounts live again and our booking system is now supporting a number of those we previously offered, including member discount vouchers and complimentary adoption tickets. Please email tickets@wwt.org.uk to find out how to use your voucher, while we continue to improve this process.

Do I need to book to use corporate partner tickets?

Yes. Please book your admission tickets as usual, then proceed to the ‘pre-existing ticket holder’ area of the correct centre to book the day you will be visiting. You will need both a valid ticket and dated booking confirmation to gain entry.

I’m due to come on a corporate volunteering day this year. Is it still going ahead?

We are re-starting our corporate volunteering scheme from 1 September 2020. If your volunteering day was due to take place before this date it has either been cancelled or rescheduled and you should contact your volunteering team leader for further details.

I would like to book a corporate volunteering day but am concerned about having to cancel.

We are continuing to take new bookings for corporate volunteering days scheduled for 1 September 2020 onwards and hope to be able to honour these commitments. If we need to cancel your volunteering day due to Covid-19, you will not be charged and we will credit you any payment already made. Please contact corporate.enquiries@wwt.org.uk for further information.