The most wonderful time of the year

Header image: Whooper swan at WWT Welney © Ben Andrew/WWT

Slow down and spot wildlife

Spending time in nature and around blue spaces can help reduce stress and boost wellbeing. Set in the scenic South Downs, WWT Arundel’s two-hour Winter Wildlife Walk is the perfect opportunity to breathe in the fresh air, all while learning about the bird species that call Arundel home during the colder months.

Spot rare visitors, including snipe, marsh harrier and water rail, while picking up helpful identification tips from the team.

Need to know: The walk takes place on Monday 7 December 2026, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets cost £15 per person and must be booked in advance.

Binoculars are recommended to help you get the most out of the walk, but don’t worry if you don’t own a pair - binoculars will be available to borrow on the day.

Find out more and book your place

For a wildlife spectacle not to be missed this winter, WWT Welney’s Floodlit Swan Feeds offer the chance to experience the Norfolk reserve after hours. Watch wild swans flock to the illuminated lagoon for their evening feed and listen to a commentated talk, all from the comfort of a heated hide.

Need to know: Feeds take place on Saturdays at 6.30pm, from 14 November 2026 to 20 February 2027. The spectacle is free for WWT members, and there’s no need to book the swan feed itself. Make sure you arrive at the centre by 6pm to allow time to reach the hide. For non-WWT members, admission price applies.

Find out more about Floodlit Swan Feeds

Get crafty for Christmas

Enjoy a nature-inspired craft session with ecologist Connor Butler at WWT London’s Festive Cyanotype Printmaking Workshop.

Cyanotype is a photographic process developed in the 1840s that uses UV light to create striking blue-and-white prints. During this two-hour workshop, you’ll arrange winter-themed plants on light-sensitive paper to create your own botanical artwork. Take your creations home to decorate your space for the festive season, turn them into Christmas cards or give them as handmade gifts.

Need to know: The workshop takes place on Saturday 5 December 2026, from 11am to 1pm. Tickets cost £25 per person, including admission, and must be booked in advance. The workshop is suitable for adults aged 16 and over.

Book your place and celebrate the season with cyanotype.

If you’re looking for a wholesome activity this season, WWT Arundel is offering morning and afternoon Wreath Workshops. Learn to weave a natural willow wreath from scratch, embellish it with wetland plants and create a beautiful decoration for your front door - or a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Alternatively, if you’d like to make something to welcome more wildlife into your garden, spend a morning creating four hand-crafted bird feeders. Designs include a mini pinecone wreath, apple and sunflower baubles, cranberry and corn garlands, and cookie-cutter feeders.

Need to know: The Wreath Workshops are £30 per person and take place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026, with sessions at 10.30am and 1.30pm. The Hand-crafted Birdfeeder Workshop is £12 per person and takes place on Saturday 5 December 2026 at 10.30am. Tickets must be pre-booked in advance. For non-WWT members, admission price applies.

All materials are provided, so you can focus on learning a new skill and creating your masterpiece. These workshops are suitable for adults, for more family-friendly activities keep scrolling.

Find out more about the workshops and book your place.

Santa spectaculars

For magical festive moments with Santa, families can Sail to Santa at WWT Martin Mere or step into Santa’s Grotto at WWT Slimbridge.

At WWT Martin Mere in Lancashire, families can enjoy a short boat trip to Santa’s Island, surrounded by a wintry wetland landscape. Children can meet Santa and his elves, receive a gift and take part in Christmas crafts in the elves’ workshop.

Meanwhile, at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, children can greet Santa in his magical wetland-themed grotto and receive a very special gift, Lottie the otter.

Need to know: Both Santa experiences run on selected dates between 5 and 23 December 2026. Tickets must be booked in advance to secure a boat ride or grotto slot. Check the individual event pages for full booking details and prices.

Book Sail to Santa at WWT Martin Mere

Book Santa’s Grotto at WWT Slimbridge

New wetland adventures

If you’re looking for something a little different, there are also plenty of new experiences to explore across WWT’s wetlands this winter.

Families can walk into a Wetland Wonderland at WWT Slimbridge, a charming new Christmas tradition. Listen to Waterlily the elf’s story in her enchanting library, then search for characters from the story around the wetlands. Follow the Little Book of Joy and visit Cuddle the elf’s workshop to craft a willow star tree-topper to take home. There’s plenty for young explorers to discover.

Visitors can also make the most of their festive day out by browsing the indoor festive market and local artisan stalls or listening to live music from the choir in the Swan Café.

Need to know: Wetland Wonderland runs on selected dates between 5 and 23 December 2026. Activities are included in admission and free for WWT members.

Find full details of Wetland Wonderland.

For an educational day out in nature, crack the code and help wildlife survive the colder months with WWT Martin Mere’s Winter Survival Quest.

Visitors are invited to tackle challenges, solve puzzles and follow clues to uncover nature’s winter survival secrets. From hibernation and migration to clever adaptations and huddling together for warmth, wildlife has some incredible tricks for surviving the cold.

Need to know: This is a self-led activity, simply collect a free quest card from the information desk and set off to explore. The activity runs from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 7 February 2027. It’s suitable for all ages, whether you’re visiting as a family or with a group of friends looking for a fun challenge this season.

Ready to take on the quest? Find out more

Over in south Wales come face to face with modern-day dinosaurs at WWT Llanelli’s Meet the Birds That Time Forgot

Through fossils, guided birdwatching, hands-on art and fascinating wildlife encounters, discover how birds became the last surviving dinosaurs and spot the wetland birds living at WWT Llanelli today.

Need to know: Running every weekend throughout December 2026 and January 2027. The event is included in admission and free for WWT members.

Unearth a prehistoric line-up of activities