Click Thumbnails to Enlarge
Wow factor
Accessibility
Photo potential
London Wetland Centre
| Directions: |
The London Wetland Centre is 25 minutes from central London, on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes. The centre lies just off the A306 which runs from the South Circular at Roehampton (with easy access to the A3) to Hammersmith (just minutes from the A4/M4). Once in Barnes follow the brown tourist signs to the centre. There is ample free parking, or hop on the number 283 Duck bus, direct to the centre from Hammersmith bus station (stand C). |
| Accessibility: |
Open daily, except Christmas Day. Winter opening from 9:30am-5pm (last admission 4pm). For summer opening times, add one hour. The main route around the site is compacted gravel. There is low-level viewing from and level access to the hides and a 3-storey peacock tower hide. |
| Costs: |
£8.75 adults; concessions and family tickets available. Free to WWT members. Commercial photography attracts a separate fee. |
| Best time to visit: |
May for the waders. |
Venue information
The 43 hectare London Wetland Centre is the best urban site in Europe to watch wildlife and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Created in the mid-90’s from redundant reservoirs, the centre is home to rare and beautiful wildlife including Bitterns, Kingfishers and a colony of endangered Water voles. There are 6 wildlife hides and a viewing observatory, appropriately named ‘bird airport’. As with many such locations the hides are designed more for watching birds than photographing them, which results in the need for very long telephoto lenses much of the time. Wide unobstructed views of the horizon provide great sunset shots, particularly if you can catch a flock of geese flying past at the same time.
Venue verdict: Some great opportunities, particularly if you’re willing to put in the time and effort it takes to get close enough to birds to photograph them well.
Ratings (out of five): 3