London Wetlands
Centre
Barnes, London
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Location Guide |
A Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust site. More than 40 hectares of created wetlands in the heart of a capital city. In
February of 2002 the centre was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI), supporting nationally important numbers of Gadwall and Shoveler
duck. Opened in May 2000, the London Wetland Centre offers hundreds of thousands
of visitors the chance to see rare and beautiful wetland wildlife just a stone's
throw from central London.
Wildlife The London Wetland Centre is the best urban location in
Europe to watch wildlife - designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
due to its diverse range of breeding wetland birds and winter flocks of Shoveler
and Gadwall duck. In addition to attracting more than 180 wild bird species each
year (including regular rarities such as Bittern, Cetti's Warbler, Peregrine
Falcon and a breeding colony of Sand Martins), the reserve is a safe haven for 8
species of bat, 7 species of reptile and amphibian (including Slow-worm and
Common Lizard) and more than half of all the UK's dragonfly and damselfly
species.
Accessibility
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Paths
- The centre has level
access and hard-surfaced paths with tarmac on main routes (and compacted
gravel on minor paths)
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Bird hides
have Low-level viewing
windows and level access to ground floor hides. Heated bird-watching
observatory in main visitor centre
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Lift access to upper
floors of visitor centre, observatory and three-storey Peacock Tower hide. No
lift in Wildside Hide
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Free wheelchair
loan (including one electric wheelchair which should be booked in advance)
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Hearing Loop Fixed loops in
admissions area and in audio visual theatre
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Policy on dogs Trained
assistance dogs only (i.e. Guide dogs). No other dogs permitted
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Toilets Accessible toilets in
car-park and visitor centre
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Parking Free car parking on
site. Tarmac surface and reserved bays for disabled visitors
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Public Transport
Direct to the centre from Hammersmith bus station to the centre between 9.30am
and 5pm.
Daily Events from
the Courtyard
11am and 2pm Free Guided Tours - learn how the
centre was created and discover what wildlife lives here.
3pm Feed the birds - Join the wards as they feed
rare ducks, geese and swans from around the world.
.
Planning Grid
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Location: |
London Wetlands Centre, Barnes,
London |
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Grid Reference: |
TQ228771 |
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Getting there: |
Off the A306 which
runs from the South Circular at Roehampton to Hammersmith, just minutes from
the A4/M4. Once in Barnes follow the brown tourist sites. |
|
Access: |
Situated outside the
London Congestion Charging Zone. On the banks of the River Thames. |
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Parking: |
Large free car park,
(you need to collect a token on your way out). |
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Facilities: |
Cafe (serves hot food
between 11am and 3pm), gift shop and art gallery. Picnic area. In Focus
optics shop stocking binoculars, telescopes and everything you need to watch
wildlife. |
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Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
Wetland wildlife,
butterflies, wild flowers, buildings, reed beds and other activities. |
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What to take: |
Telescope, binoculars,
long lenses for when in hides, polarizer may be useful on sunny days when
doing wider views. During winter months wrap up warm most of the site is
outdoors. |
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Nature highlights: |
Waders, Raptors,
Wildfowl, butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers. |
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Address: |
WWT
London Wetland Centre
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Queen Elizabeths Walk
Barnes
London |
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Postcode: |
SW13 9WT |
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Telephone: |
0208 409 4400 |
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Opening times: |
Open daily
9.30am to 6pm Summer
(29th March- 24th October)
9.30am to 5pm Winter (from 25th October)
Late Night Opening every Thursday
5pm-9pm in July and
August only.
Early closing 24th
December last admission 2pm. Closed Christmas Day. |
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Charges: |
Free to WWT Members
Adult £9.95; Concession (Students, Over 65 and unemployed)
£7.40, Child £5.50 (4-16 years); Family Ticket £27.75.
All prices shown with
Gift Aid, group prices available, (min. 12 people). |
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Photo Restrictions: |
Commercial and stock
photography must be agreed in advance and is subject to a fee. |
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Other Restrictions: |
Keep to the paths at
all times. |
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Special Needs Access: |
Level access to all
areas. Car park has reserved bays. |
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Special Needs Facilities: |
Disabled toilet in
main visitor centre, free manual and electric wheelchair loan. |
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Children Facilities: |
During weekends and
school holidays activities are put on for the younger visitor. Baby changing
facilities. |
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Dogs Allowed: |
Dogs are not allowed
in WWT Centres except guide/trained assistant dogs. |
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