Step into a world of wonder this half-term
This October half-term we're inviting families to discover two brand new experiences, celebrating the mood-boosting superpower of wetlands.
Experience one of our, new for 2025, October Half Term adventures!
By day, little explorers can uncover nature’s secrets at the Super Natural event – packed with hands-on activities and fascinating facts that reveal just how ‘super’ wetlands can be. Families can make willow wands, mix plant-powered potions, and search for spotted tops and giant domes on a fungi hunt.
There’s plenty to explore in the autumnal wetlands too – from mystical canoe safaris to spooktacular science shows that will enchant and delight. To guide their adventure, families can collect a free Super Natural logbook from admissions. With space to record fungi finds, potion ingredients, and their own wish for nature, it’s the perfect keepsake from a magical day out.
As darkness falls, WWT Slimbridge will transform into a glowing, otherworldly wetland landscape for the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience. Wetland-themed lanterns light the way through an enchanting evening trail, filled with wildlife encounters. Spot enormous insects glowing in the dark, luminous owls hunting for mystical mice and a larger-than-life kingfisher.
Explore the illuminated wetlands like never before, meet a friendly marsh witch to cast your own spell for nature, toast marshmallows around the fire, and learn about nocturnal creatures along the way. WWT experts will also be on hand to help families spot the elusive bats that call Slimbridge home. Craft lovers can also make their own lantern to take on the trail, for an additional charge.
The Lantern Company create bespoke nature-inspired installations, and has curated the Mystical Marsh lantern experience especially for WWT Slimbridge. Each lantern has been designed to reflect and illuminate the wonderful diversity of wetland creatures that live or visit the wetland centre.
Jo Pocock, Artistic Director at The Lantern Company, said:
We are especially delighted to be partnering with WWT Slimbridge for the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience this coming Autumn. We love visiting the wonderful wetlands and getting up close to nature. Our company ethos and nature-based interests are so closely linked with everything that WWT stands for - its offer to visitors is exceptional and so unique. We can’t wait for visitors to see all our lantern artworks in situ.
Participation in the WWT Slimbridge daytime Super Natural event is included with the price of admission and is free to WWT members, except for canoe safaris, which cost £10 per canoe or coracle. This event takes place on 18 and 19 October and 25 to 2 November.
After dark, the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience will take place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October, and throughout the half-term week: Friday 24 to Saturday 1 November. Tickets can be purchased online for entry from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, with time slots every 15 minutes. Tickets are £12.95 per person. Half day tickets, which allow visitors to enjoy the daytime Super Natural activities and the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience, can also be purchased.
Relaxed SEN sessions will be held on 17, 18 and 24 October at 5.30pm and 5.45pm with reduced noise volume and softer lighting.
