Family day out: London Wetland Centre, Barnes
I rarely return to places again and again. When there’s so much to discover, why revisit ones you’ve already seen? But travelling with a child means you can discover the same place over and over as they grow and develop. Certainly when it’s somewhere as lovely as the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, handily just down the road from me.
review visit*
On our first visit, Minnie was still newly walking and we had the place almost to ourselves on a chilly grey winter’s day. Second time around, she was almost two and the sun shone.
Visit 3, earlier this year, Spring was just starting. And for our latest high summer trip to the wetland centre, we’d timed it for the school holiday activities – which Minnie was also old enough to join in.
Honestly, the wetlands are always worth exploring. Whatever the weather or time of year, there’s something to see, along with the world’s cutest pair of Asian short-clawed otters which are a highlight of every trip.
EDIT: The London Wetland centre has also now added its Wild Walk, which is huge fun for kids – stepping stones, a rope bridge through the greenery and another bridge which might just sag low enough into the water to get your feet wet.
There are gardens, bird hides (if you’re not with small children), open paths to run along, birds galore on the lakes and ponds, a bug hotel, always changing with the seasons – this time we saw cygnets and the flowers were in bloom.
And there are some great child-friendly spots. First, an indoor games room where all the activities have an educational slant – dam a river or divert the water in one, fire ‘poo’ (balls) and see how important protective reeds are in another, shoot water jets and revive endangered species for a third.
Then the Explore play area, which we discovered for the first time on this visit, with the usual playground options like slides, wobbly bridges, balance beams and ‘giant water vole’ tunnels, along with a splash zone if you want to cool off from the sun.
Or a giant snakes and ladders. This time, I won…
During the summer, there are several small food kiosks open as well as the main cafe (which does some very fine millionaire’s shortbread which I can rarely resist).
That’s before the activities. There’s usually something running throughout school holidays as well as some weekends, which we usually manage to miss by going on a weekday in term-time to avoid the crowds.
Last weekend, we finally got to join in. And despite being a glorious summer’s day, it wasn’t even too crowded. The wetland centre has introduced a ‘Nature Explorer’ passport with eight different activities to try which helps you discover the whole area.
You get stickers for each one you complete (which can be on successive visits) and once you’ve got the set, kids get free entry with a paying adult. Under-fours are already free.
However many you tick off, it’s a great way to help plan your visit. There’s so much to do in a day that we never get to all of it. This time, we spent five hours exploring and skipped whole areas that we saw last time, including most of the Pond Zone and the Wetlands of the World section.
But we did get to try pond dipping, scooping up a water snail or two, spotting a few tadpoles, pond skater and a surprisingly speedy damselfly nymph. Or possibly a mayfly nymph. Thankfully there were handy pictures and helpful staff to help narrow it down.
Later, we joined in some crafts as well – leaf rubbing with crayons, which Minnie thought was basically magic, and making an impression of flowers and leaves on cloth. It was an extra pound to join in that one, wielding a fairly hefty hammer to thump the plants into the material, but all the rest are included in the entry fee.
And the otters. No trip would be complete without the otters.
As ever, you’ve got to be lucky to spot them outside feeding time, but watching them glide through the water, dexterous little paws pouncing on fish and mussels, gobbling them up before squirming in the dust to get the water from their coats, was just magical – check out the video.
With quite a few stamps still to get, I can’t imagine it’ll be long before we’re back again.
Need to know: London Wetland Centre, Barnes
Prices start from £16.54 for adults, and £10.72 for children (both excluding gift aid). Under fours and WWT members are free. Family tickets start from £46.22.
The centre opens at 9.30am year-round, with last admission at 5pm in summer and 4pm in winter. Closed on Christmas Day and some sections are shut during the winter months.
Maps are available to download online, with a walks and talks schedule also on the website. There are also special events throughout the year.
Disclosure: Our entry was free of charge for the purposes of review and to try the Nature Explorer activities. All opinions remain my own. Our previous three visits were paid for, so you can tell I mean it when I say we love this place.
Images and video copyright MummyTravels
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This was really interesting. We’ve only been to the Wetland Centre once and I think Master ATWWAH didn’t quite appreciate it, he was a bit too young maybe. We’ll have to give it another go after reading this #MondayEscapes
It was interesting going back this time – she remembered a lot more of what was there (not just the otters) and was definitely more involved. Such a leap from our first visit 18 months ago where she spent most of the time snuggled up in a buggy! Worth popping back while the activities are on if you can.
that wetland reminds me of the one I’ve visited outside Arundel! I think I still have the guide with the various types of ducks that I tried to recognize while walking around the area! Wetlands are nice places to visit for kids and adults alike!
There is a WWT at Arundel so I’m guessing that’s the same one – they did a big thing with ducks at Easter (which we missed by a week). Always something lovely to discover there though.
ooo will be adding this to our bucket list 🙂 you have captured some lovely photos – I love these sorts of places! Thank you for sharing x #MondayEscapes
Thanks! Can’t believe I only really discovered this less than two years ago – despite being a short drive away. Hope you have fun there too 🙂
I know what you means about not wanting to go to the same place twice, but with a toddler you do! We went to the Wetlands Centre when Tyler just turned 2, he was really into ducks then, and they had a water play section he really loved. Still it looks as though there is lots more to explore from what you’ve written – we may have to revisit! #mondayescapes Sabrina xx
Definitely worth a return trip – we’ve done different areas each time, I think, depending on weather etc. It always surprises me just how much there is to do, even just walking around.
I love that places like this can be visited over and over as your child grows. It is interesting watching your child’s interests change over time.
It’s great isn’t it, like visiting somewhere new in some ways because they’re such different little people.
I am so with you on not wanting to go back to the same place but with children their experience really does change (and most of the time they can’t actually remember being before)! I haven’t been to the Wetlands with Mrs T so will have to sort that out soon! Looks like it is totally set up for children and I’m incredibly impressed you managed five hours there! Wow. Thanks for sharing #mondayescapes
Definitely one I think you and Mrs T would love – they’ve got a lovely balance of things for families and then space for the serious birders with their massive cameras! My phone battery had gone flat and I didn’t have a watch on, so I’d slightly lost track of time – couldn’t believe five hours had whizzed by when I realised, but we could have stayed much longer to keep exploring. I had to practically drag Minnie out to go home…
What a beautiful place it is, and it is not so far from the city. I took a look at their website, even I feel like going there when visiting London! Great images, Minnie seemed enjoying the nature there 🙂
Thanks! And definitely, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river from Hammersmith – such a lovely day out though.
Wow what an amazing place. So pretty. I wish we can visit. Love your video too. I always wanted to make one but I just dont know how to start! #MondayEscapes
It’s so lovely there – and thank you! The video is just with a smartphone and I don’t really have much kit, just a few odds and ends. The guy behind this site (thevideoeffect.tv) has some great tips and recommendations, although honestly I think I’ve just been working out a lot as I go along 🙂
I used to live just across the river and I never knew it existed! It sounds great – I’ll definitely have to plan a visit 🙂 #Whatevertheweather
I can’t remember how I stumbled across it the first time, but I’ve been in London for almost 15 years, and that was only 3 years ago. Definitely one to come back for a visit.
I do love otters, they are so fab to watch. You’re like us, we rarely go back to the same place again but I think the Wetland centre as well as other gardens etc, there is always room to explore more as the kids get older. It looks like you had a great day and I am so ashamed I haven’t been yet! It is on my forever growing list! Thanks so much for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Otters are just so cute – I could watch them all day. This and Kew Gardens, also helpfully on my doorstep, are two of the few places we do revisit regularly, and there’s always so much to discover and such a different experience, I never feel we’re going over old ground. I think Monkey would love the Wetlands though.
This looks great, I will definitely have to go when we’re next in London. Otters are one of my favourite animals, so wonderful to watch – what a treat to be able to see them like this!
They are wonderful aren’t they, and fantastic to be able to see them feeding. So cute.
You are so right about revisiting places with kids. I’m like you, as I like to go and discover new places, but as our kids grow and develop, outings do change. Looks like you had a fab day out. #CountryKids
Thanks – it is almost like discovering somewhere new I think. Although there’s so much to see here, I could go back again and again anyway.
We really loved the London Wetland Centre too (and we don’t even have kids) 🙂 It’s definitely fun for all ages. The lapwings were my favorite.
Absolutely – every time I’ve been, there’s been a huge range of ages and everyone enjoying it. Haven’t managed to see the lapwings, although possibly that’s to do with my excited companion!
Wow, there really must be so many things to do there if ?Minnie was happy exploring for 5 hours! We love pond dipping too, it’s great for the little ones to see all the creatures zipping about the tray.
O saw otters at a local aquarium and was besotted with them, we had to spend ages pretending to be otters!
I definitely want to try the flower stamping using the hammer and fabric, I’ve seen demonstrations before, but never tried it!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
There really are – we could easily have stayed longer if we hadn’t had to get home. I’d never tried the flower stamping before but it was such a great idea, the activities really made it an extra fun day this time.
Cathy I really like the look of this wetlands centre there is so much there to do. Your video it is delightful and so special to catch the otters playing together. A giant snakes and ladders chalkboard is a great idea and one I may have to copy here at Coombe Mill. Thank you for sharing a great venue and a lovely day out on Country Kids
It’s such a lovely place – I think the snakes and ladders would definitely be a hit (apart from any cross toddlers who come 2nd…) and thank you about the video, those otters are SO cute!
The Wetlands Centre sounds like an incredible place to visit. I want the giant snakes and ladders chalkboard in my garden haha. There’s so much to do. I wish this was a bit nearer to me. I’d love to take my daughter. Your video is so lovely. What a precious moment! It’s great that they have lots of activities and crafts available too. Lots to see and explore. Thank you so much for linking this up to #whatevertheweather x
Thanks! Definitely a great place for a day out – the snakes and ladders was great fun (well, right up until my daughter didn’t win!)
I keep meaning to visit the Wetlands and still have not done so! They are relatively close to my university, but not so much to my home 🙂
They are so lovely – definitely worth stopping by when you’re back in the area 🙂