Autumn and winter are wonderful times to visit the Gloucestershire village of Slimbridge. Home to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s first Wetland Centre, established in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott, it is one of ten WWT Wetland Centres located around the UK. Slimbridge is the largest site, hosting the world’s most significant collection of rare and endangered ducks, geese, flamingo and swans.
In autumn, a huge variety of waders and migrating rare birds visit whilst on their migration journey across the globe. Moreover, the winter months bring over 30,000 birds to Slimbridge, like Bewick Swans which migrate from the shores of the Artic Ocean in northern Russia and other visitors including pochard, pintail, teal and many more.
A visit to an area such as a wetland is not just about birds as there is so much more to see and learn about. Whether you are into conservation, ecology, sustainability, horticultural, photography or, indeed, if you are an artist or maker, you will find something of interest. Slimbridge WWT has something for all age groups and what’s more, the pathways are accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs with additional facilities for people with additional support requirements.
One of the first areas you will encounter when you leave the main visitor centre is the recently developed Estuary Shoreline which can also be viewed from the main restaurant. Grounds Manager and Designer Chris Rixton and his team started work to transform on the area which had previously home to the centre’s Caribbean flamingos in May 2024. After an industrious 12 months, the area now provides an immersive experience with an all-weather event space, a sunken mindfulness seating area, giant lily pad stepping stones taking visitors across the water, a shoreline beach, and a tributary in which to play and relax.
The magnificent willow Moon Gate was designed by Chris Rixton. It frames the walkway which takes visitors towards the Estuary Tower. Once its steel footings were in place, the feature was lovingly weaved by Chris and Ruth of Oakey Bear Sculptures. Visitors will appreciate this, and the considerable amount of work which has gone into developing all aspects of the Estuary Shoreline. Over 20 native trees, including a rare black poplar (Populus nigra) of which there are thought to be only around 7,000 left in the UK and some beautiful silver birch and alder specimens have been planted, complimented by thousands of wetland plants. Immediately outside the Kingfisher Restaurant are sweeping flower beds planted with familiar perennials which are attractive to pollinators including Nepeta, Salvias, Cranesbill Rozanne, Astrantia and Erigeron.
As you follow the pathway, each twist and turn offers another stunning vista. Benches have been carefully placed inviting you to take a seat and enjoy the environment around you. Some of these benches have been thoughtfully constructed as pollinator benches which would be reasonably simple to replicate in a home garden environment.
Back in 2011, the Royal Bank of Canada New Wild Garden was relocated to Slimbridge following its appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Designed by Nigel Dunnett with the Landscape Agency, it was RHS Chelsea’s first full-scale rain garden. Now it is well established, and here you will be able to view an entire garden designed as a wildlife habitat, including a green roof and habitat walls.
The Willow Walk, with trees over 70 years of age, includes several rare cultivars. The willows are regularly pollarded to maintain their size and shape, but you will also see willows which have been allowed to grow majestically in their waterside environment.
Beyond the Willow Walk a pathway leads to the Artic Adventure. Planted with various cultivars native to Artic regions which have low light levels and endure harsh conditions, this area is best viewed in spring and summer to fully appreciate the Artic poppy, Moss campion, Artic bell heather and lichens, to name but a few of the specimens planted here. This area is also frequented by oyster catchers when they are nesting during spring and summer months.
Just beyond the Artic Adventure is an area originally designed by Charlotte Harris, inspired by the boreal Canadian wilderness. Here, planting focuses on North American native swamp plants, and includes wildflowers, grasses and perennials; all creating a vital ecosystem for local wildlife. You will also see a recreation of North American Tepees, and anyone who visits in late summer or early autumn will be able to enjoy the spectacular Pampas Pen Zone, where a number of pampas grasses can be seen with their tall plumes of seedheads.
A partnership between Greenfields Ltd and the WWT saw an area named Mission Possible dedicated to the conservation of the Nene Goose (Hawaiian Goose). Some 75 years ago, the Nene was nearly extinct but now thanks to the steps taken by Sir Peter Scott and his trusted team at WWT Slimbridge, its status has improved from Endangered to Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The area provides an authentic habitat for geese and is where various Trachycarpus palms were relocated to by Chris and his team after embarking on the Estuary Shoreline project.
The Waterscapes Aviary provides a wonderful walk-through space in which to observe a number of different species of birds at close proximity. Beyond the Aviary, you will reach a lagoon devoted to various species of flamingo including Chilean and Caribbean flamingos. Seek out the undercover area for visitors to stand and watch these colourful and flamboyant birds.
Walking back to main visitor centre takes you through the centre of Swan Lake where, throughout the year, you will see a number of Slimbridge WWT’s resident swans. Wrap up warm and enjoy watching the Bewick Swans and other birdlife as this pathway provides a great vantage point. Grounds Manager Chris Rixton has long-term plans to enhance this space but working with wildlife is challenging, and much planning has to be done before work can commence.
If you do plan a visit to WWT Slimbridge, which is a charitable organisation, consider becoming a member as you’ll certainly want to return and membership also affords the chance to visit the other nine WWT sites around the UK. For more information, please visit wwt.org.uk.
