Family day out: Vlog – the London Wetlands Centre
Spring is just about springing, and I’m loving being able to get outdoors more without freezing – so it was the perfect timing for a friend of mine to have a spare ticket to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes.
Minnie and I have been to the wetland centre twice before – last January when she was newly walking then last summer for a very different family day out in the sun. This time, the weather might have been mixed but she was raring to explore and the otters were as cute as ever.
And this time, I’ve captured it on video for my second MummyTravels vlog – check out my YouTube channel for all the latest videos I’ve added.
Need more tempting? It’s been voted the UK’s favourite nature reserve – and since it opened in 2000, the four former reservoirs which created the wetlands have been home to more than 200 species of birds, 300,000 plants, 27,000 trees, water voles, dragonflies, frogs, snakes, slow worms, bats, newts and butterflies.
As well as activities, you can now pretend to be a Springwatch presenter, play in the huge playground (and splash zone when it’s warmer!), check out more information on protecting the environment, see water creatures under a microscope after pond dipping and more – not to mention my favourite otters.
The cafe also has very good cake…
London Wetland Centre: Need to know
Entrance costs £12.87 for adults (including gift aid) and £7.83 for children, while under fours go free. A family ticket (two adults, two children aged four to 16) costs £35.19, including a 10% discount if you book online.
Free activities include the otter feeding at 11am and 2pm, guided tours lasting up to 90 minutes at 11.30 am and 2.30pm, and bird feeding at 3pm. Check the board as you go in for details of times of activities each day.
There are children’s activities including pond dipping and arts & crafts every weekend and during school holidays, which have previously included a new Giant Easter duck hunt and Lego trail.
Check out what my three-year-old thought of pond dipping at the London Wetlands Centre when we returned for another visit by clicking here
Images and video copyright MummyTravels
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Otters are so cute, I love how they sometimes lay on their backs in the water while eating, just looking so cool and chilled out, hehe.
I’d definitely have to be there for feeding time 😉
Aren’t they? These two are especially gorgeous, scuttling around after each other, squeaking away, nibbling away at the food in their paws.
We have an otter and owl center near us and the boys are always fascinated to see them being feed 🙂 I love the video of the tots running back over the boardwalk #countrykids
My daughter would be in heaven – throw in bears and monkeys and that’s all her favourite animals! And they were cute scurrying off to explore 🙂
I visited here on a school trip a few years ago and the kids loved it! I liked the peacefulness of sitting and watching the ducks in the water 🙂
It’s so peaceful isn’t it – great for school groups too, I expect, there was one visiting last week as well.
I love this place! I love the tranquility place, then the splash park bit is brilliant when it gets warmer!
It is lovely isn’t it – I didn’t know there was a splash park though?
Awww what a lovely place and love the video too! #countrykids
Thanks! It’s a gorgeous spot.
Sounds like a great place to explore and the otters are so cute – think my eldest would love to go at otter feeding time. Maybe one day we will have to pay a visit.
So cute, all the kids loved seeing feeding time. Definitely one to put on the list.
I’ve never heard of the London Wetlands, but it looks a fabulous place, and the otter is super cute.
#Tried/Tested
I hadn’t for ages either – it always amazes me how there can be places down the road that I never seem to come across, but really glad I found this (especially for the otters)
This looks like such a great spot for a family day out! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
It’s a lovely place to wander, and great holiday time activities as well.
It looks like a great day out!
Lovely to see you on #TriedTested this week x
Thanks – it’s a great one for toddlers.