Dragonfly Festival: A Self-led Adventure for Families
Your summer wetland adventure starts here! Colourful bunting flies high as we welcome you into the vibrant Dragonfly Festival where you can pick up your challenge sheets and headbands before you dart off on your great dragonfly day of discovery, to immerse yourself in the exciting sights and sounds of the wetlands.
Discover dragonflies and damselflies on a self-led family safari at WWT Welney. Explore ponds, spot dazzling insects, and enjoy a wild summer adventure!
Go wild on a Dragonfly Safari!
From 18 July to 31 August 2026, visitors to WWT Welney are invited to explore the wetlands with our self-led Dragonfly Safari.
Whether you're part of an energetic family full of budding young naturalists, or someone looking for a peaceful afternoon outdoors, this activity is a brilliantly addictive way to connect with wetland nature, one species at a time!
Armed with a free spotter guide, watch as dragonflies zip through the air and damselflies bask in the sunshine or shoot out from beneath your feet like electric sparks of colour. These bejewelled aerial acrobats are a joy to watch — and spotting them in action is a thrill for all ages!
Get a head start before you visit and read our 11 easy tips to identify dragonflies and damselflies this summer.
Look for dragonflies hunting above your head, catching flying insects on the wing with incredible accuracy.
Spend a little more time by ponds and waterways, and you'll also see female dragonflies dipping their tails into the surface over and over again as they place their eggs in water or mud for them to begin their fascinating lives.
Also collect:
- Challenge sheets
- Dragonfly or damselfly headbands
Other self-led activities:
- Pond dipping
- Journey of the dragonfly trail
- GIANT outdoor games
Activity Info
When: 18 July to 2 September 2026
Where: Pick up your free spotter guide from the Welcome Desk
Cost: Included in your entrance ticket price, which is free for WWT members.
