WWT Welney Wetland Centre
WWT Welney Wetland Centre
WWT Welney Wetland Centre
4.5
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
WWT Welney has a beautiful wetland reserve and eco-friendly visitor centre. Every season is different; in spring watch breeding birds and chicks. In summer see dragonflies, butterflies, and wildflowers out on the summer walk. In winter the Ouse washes are home to thousands of whooper and Bewick’s swans, the largest gathering in the UK. Amazing events throughout the year and brilliant café for refuelling! Open everyday except Christmas day, see website for opening times.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
3 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
228 reviews
Excellent
134
Very good
73
Average
14
Poor
6
Terrible
1
wildlifewanderer
Stamford, UK2 contributions
Sept 2020
A lovely day again, the reserve is looking glorious, a massive shame about the centre though, one poor member of staff is having to man the reception, shop and cafe which is down the corridor. I say cafe, it’s only drinks, expensive snacks and mass produced microwaved pasties. No doubt they’re having to make cost savings but to raise income trashing what was a lovely cafe stop is commercial suicide and a poor visitor experience.
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We welcome the feedback you have given after your visit to our centre, and thank you for complementing our reserve.
We are still working through challenging times, prioritising welcoming visitors back to experience the reserve with all the safety measures we have in place. Summer is our quiet season and so we have only brought back a small team for now, to make sure we can keep visitors and staff safe, as well as keeping costs low to make sure that as much support can be given to wetland conservation as is possible. It has very much been a team effort to get this far through the pandemic, despite not all of the team being back on site. We still want to make you as comfortable as possible on your visit, and we are planning to build the team back up as we move into our busier, winter season.
We have sourced the best options that we can for the time-being, the food being red tractor standard. Please be assured we are always working on ways to bring you the warmest welcome and when things change you will be one of the first to know.
Thank you for supporting the WWT Welney Centre with your visit.
Leigh Marshall
Written 21 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
davidM1459FS
Ely, UK4 contributions
Dec 2019
Our group of 38 birdwatchers plus friends hugely enjoyed a Swan Supper evening at WWT Welney as our Christmas social. The event was outstanding; it began in the observatory watching hundreds of overwintering wildfowl gathered under floodlights as a warden spread grain into the water for them. Returning to the visitor centre our evening continued with a three course table service dinner overlooking Lady Fen. The food was excellent, expertly cooked and served; WWT Welney staff ensured the evening was a complete success.
A Swan Supper evening at Welney is a great choice for any social group wanting a really enjoyable and unusual venue for a Christmas or New Year celebration, highly recommended!
A Swan Supper evening at Welney is a great choice for any social group wanting a really enjoyable and unusual venue for a Christmas or New Year celebration, highly recommended!
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephanorvall
Ely, UK16 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Very peaceful interesting place to visit. We went with friends to see the swan feed . It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed the Center and the information we received. However we were very disappointed with the Swan feed. 7 swans turned up and lots of ducks moorhens etc. On arrival we had seen hundreds of swans in near by fields and were told they were preparing to return to Iceland and wouldn’t visit the reserve again to feed only to roost at sunset. What ashame no one mentions this when people come to see loads of swans being fed. We thought paying the £7 concession was abit of a waste of money and it would be better for the reserve to tell people to visit before the end of February.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICK0950
Hinckley, United Kingdom469 contributions
Nov 2021
This was our first visit to this centre and we found it compact and very interesting.
We especially enjoyed the swan feeding and very informative talk provided in the hide. We were especially staggered by the sheer noise coming from the birds on the lake.
We lunched in the cafe and were impressed with the soup and the availability of water without having to buy bottles.
We especially enjoyed the swan feeding and very informative talk provided in the hide. We were especially staggered by the sheer noise coming from the birds on the lake.
We lunched in the cafe and were impressed with the soup and the availability of water without having to buy bottles.
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen272
Lichfield, UK90 contributions
Feb 2022
Had the pleasure of staying a couple of nights at the Air B&B next to the WWT site . Our first day was spent exploring the footpaths and hides on the wetlands . It was wet and some hides were closed, but this really didn’t matter. We sat till, waited and listened and saw plenty of birds. Not the best time of year to visit, but we really enjoyed it. On our second day, we booked a personal guided tour with one of the volunteers. We went round before opening time , very misty and damp and not so not much in the way of birdlife, but we learnt so much about the history of the wetland site and fens from Clive, it was brilliant! Thoroughly recommend you book this if you can. Definitely returning . This aside, recommend the coffee and the cake in the cafe overlooking the pools too! Thank you for a fantastic stay.
Written 4 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phoenix56
England47 contributions
Aug 2021
Excellent hides overlooking the wetlands. Well laid out with friendly helpful volunteers. Very peaceful. Given that it is so far from other shops and cafes it's a pity the cafe at the center does not have a greater variety of food/drink.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Phoenix56,
Thank you for sharing your review with us.
We couldn't achieve all that we do without our wonderful team of volunteers, so it is great to hear that you appreciated them on your visit. Our quiet season for visitors is summer at Welney, so we were running a basic offer with the team we had in place after the lockdowns last spring. Now we are entering our busier winter season, and with new team members in place we are able to offer a wider range of catering options.
We are glad you enjoyed your day with us and will make sure the team see your feedback.
We look forward to welcoming you back for another visit in the future,
Emma Brand
Written 17 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robert S
Wisbech, UK36 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
I am a member of WWT and have been visiting Welney for a very long time, since well before the new visitor centre was built many years ago. The birds as always are superb. Although famous for its winter swans, the summer birds can often surprise and yesterday there were Spoonbills outside the observatory and very late nesting swallows in the Friends Hide. This would be a 5 star review but isn’t due to the extortionate cafe prices - £6 for a small bacon roll is ridiculous. I also had to wait a long time to be served. I appreciate that WWT relies on volunteers but this is not the first time I have experienced poor service and expensive food. It’s a great shame
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coaster
Suffolk, UK129 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We rang beforehand to hire the mobility scooter free of charge. This meant my husband could go across the walk way to the observatory to watch the lunchtime feed being given. Was great to watch the mallards climbing into the floating wheelbarrow and the swans eating self service! Clear explanation of the Wetlands trusts work from the warden who shared how the fields are flooded at this time of the year. Excellent food in the Cafe. Well stocked shop and all staff very helpful and informative. Will definitely be visiting again.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen Hawkes
3 contributions
Feb 2020
We visited one Sunny day in February. The volunteers were friendly and helpful. Disappointed I couldn’t hear the commentary as the “induction loop was broken.” Also bought tea and cake at 3.00pm, as the tables and chairs were being moved about by staff the noise was unbearable for someone with hearing difficulties. The acoustics in the restaurant are poor and this made it worse. I gather this was in preparation for an evening function. The birds were impressive.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin
Great Dunmow, UK16 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Highly recommend as lots of children’s activities in the educational room down stairs. Great for birdwatchers over the Welney Washes. The cafe has a limited menu but last time we visited this was not displayed. Occasional talks are given by the guides which worth catching.
Written 29 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi.,am thinking of bringing small group 3rd week in feb.
Is this a bit late for swans please?
Written 29 January 2019
Should be still on.Ring them to get swan feed time. At the moment 3 feeds a day I believe. Saw 3.30 feed last week. Good little informative event. Ouse Wash has record number of birds this year.
Written 29 January 2019
j0andrews
Downham Market, United Kingdom
We are hopefully coming for a visit soon and I was wondering how much the binocular hire is and whether they are suitable for both adults and children?
Written 2 August 2017
Hi,
Apologies for the delay. Hopefully you have been able to contact us on 01353 860711 by now. If not, or, you are yet to visit us we do hire out binoculars to visitors. These are £5 for the day with a £20 deposit (refunded on return of the binoculars). The binoculars are 8x25 Opticrom Taiga, they are light to carry but will help you with most birds and other wildlife seen around the reserve.
We look forward to welcoming you soon,
WWT Welney
Written 15 August 2017
I was thinking of walking to the centre from Downham Market by following the public footpath down the NW side of the New Bedford River. This path appears to pass straight through the Wetland Centre but I think it may be more complex than that, and the only access to the facilities is from the road (Station Road) on the SE side of the river, over the covered wooden footbridge. My question is: Can I gain access to the Wetland Centre hides and so on from the public footpath or do I have to stick to the road? Alternatively, there is another public footpath on the SE side of the same river which I could take, but it seems to be separated from the road by a barbed wire fence, which I could probably tackle, but would prefer not to. Which route would you advise me to take? I don't begrudge you the entrance fee, but I would prefer not to have to walk all the way to the suspension bridge at Wash Road and back again just to get in. Suggestions please.
Written 28 January 2017
Hi Richard, You can't gain access to WWT Welney from the public footpath on the NW side of the river, the only access is through the visitor centre which is on Station Road. There is a bridleway on the SE bank of the New Bedford River, and you can come down off that bank onto the road through a gateway where the old footbridge used to cross (so you wouldn't have to travel as far as the Wash Road). This Bridleway is about 3 miles from Downham Market, alternatively, the walking route mentioned in a previous comment via Denver then Ten Mile Bank but this would be longer. Some of the routes will be muddy so boots or walking shoes advisable.
Written 31 January 2017
Got a birding friend from Ireland coming just before New Year. Would this be worth a visit.
Written 24 October 2016
Hi Barbara, We hope that you do decide to come and visit us this winter. Our busiest week of the year for visitors is Boxing Day to New Year's Day. We've got plenty of information on the website about events and activities you might like to include: Hare walks and swan feeds are a must! Do check back closer to the time for wildlife highlights in December and any new information. We look forward to welcoming you to WWT Welney :-)
Written 7 November 2016
We are thinking of visiting tomorrow with our 2.5 year old son is there much for him to do on site?
Written 29 May 2016
Hi Victoria, Apologies for not answering sooner.
If you did brave the weather earlier this week, we hope you enjoyed your visit.
If you are yet to visit us, we have the following activities available:
- Pond dipping, all equipment is provided, a great experience for the whole family to share
- explorer backpacks, collected from the gift shop when you pay admissions, these include a pair of binoculars, a magnifying glass and bug pot great for exploring grass verges along the footpaths. The pack also includes a brass rubbings trail leaflet (and wax crayon) and a flyer for our holiday activity (this half term is our pond dipping competition, summer holidays it will be a nature explorers passport
- in the main hide there is a light box table for tracing birds shapes and a chalk board, and for slightly older children an illuminated swan migration map and interactive touchscreen swan computer
- in the visitor centre our pond room (decorated as if you are below the surface of a pond) has indoor art & craft activities and is where we put on bird feeder making, owl pellet dissection and cress caterpillar making on special events or holidays.
Hope this helps for the future :-)
Written 4 June 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing