WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre Gloucestershire

Nestled alongside the River Severn, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre provides unique opportunities for learners of all ages to interact with birds and other wildlife from the UK and across the world.

Our comprehensive educational visit packages can include a curriculum and syllabus-linked learning session along with opportunities for connecting with nature, memory making moments for your learners. Online we have pre and post visit resource packs available together with a range of interactive activity ideas that supporting adults can use to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing. As one of the UK’s leading providers of outdoor education, we know that children learn best through real-life experiences and hands-on activities. Join us for an action-packed day of exploration and discovery.

Designed to promote learning through exploration and discovery, our curriculum-linked learning sessions make the most of the fantastic wildlife and outdoor environments at our centres. Our wellbeing sessions use mindfulness, storytelling and sensory approaches to improve children’s wellbeing whilst inspiring a love of nature.

Getting up close to the wildlife is one of the unforgettable joys of visiting Slimbridge. See your learners’ faces light up at this amazing experience.

100% of teachers who visit would recommend a visit to us.

LOtC Quality Badge

• Full day admission with access to our daily talks and exhibits
• A curriculum-linked learning session of your choice. We offer a range of sessions to cater for all ages from Early Years through to University.
• Pre and post-visit session plans and resources
• Self-guided learning resources for use during your visit
• Bag storage, lunch space and free coach parking
• Free familiarisation visit including free family entry
• Risk assessments and safety information
• Free accompanying adults
• Free binocular hire on request

We run sessions for a minimum of 12 pupils. Minimum numbers for Special Schools may be lower. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Resources such as our map, pre-visit, social and sensory stories can be found on our website here: https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/plan-your-visit/  Enhance the on-site learning experience with our self-guided learning resources that can be hired free of charge for use on the day: https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/explore-resources/self-guided-resources/

General teaching resources to inspire your learners and help deliver key curriculum topics are available for download on our website as well.

There are no restrictions.

Our risk assessment is available on request and on our Learning Zone website page here: https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SL-Learning-Risk-Assessment-2026.pdf  Learning visit leads are also very welcome to come on an agreed free pre-visit to undertake their own planning and risk assessment.

Booking enquiries are welcomed by emailing us at education.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk by calling 01453 891117 or by filling in a contact form online: https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/contact/

Please outline clearly the differences in prices/costs/fees for pre-school, primary, secondary, further education including college, university and youth groups etc. (per child/pupil/student etc.)

All our prices include full access to our centre for the day, so you and your pupils can enjoy all that we have to offer.

Prices – visits from March to August

Price offer – visits from September to February

Visit us from September to February and we’ll add a learning session to your itinerary free of charge. You will pay the admission price only.

Please note: Prices change from the 1st April each year.

Please note: We now require payment in advance of your visit. This is to avoid late cancellations and allow schools on our waiting list to have the chance to enjoy a visit.

Free adult ratios

We offer free entry to adults within the following ratios, and free entry to all essential carers.

Sensible footwear and weather appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting us

Duty 1st aiders are appointed each day

A First Aid room is located within the Shop on the Ground floor of the Visitor Centre

Learning groups are encouraged to bring a qualified first aider with them on visits

• Changing Places facility available, accessible toilets and parking spaces
• Sensory backpacks
• Pre visit, social and sensory stories are available
• Quiet spaces
• Outdoor and covered lunch spaces are available. Indoor spaces are available on request
• The Gift Shop has a range of items to suit all budgets. Goody bags can be made for an agreed amount when pre-booked
• Kingfisher Kitchen Restaurant
• Kiosks are open seasonally
• Wellyboot land and Riverlife play areas. Wild play including den building is also available at Riverlife

Key accessibility information for Slimbridge Wetland Centre can be found here:
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/plan-your-visit/accessibility We have a range of resources available for download to help support your SEND learners. Please feel free to edit these resources in a way that will work for your children. We are also open to any feedback you have about how to improve these. Please contact us to discuss your learners’ needs and our experienced staff will adapt your programme to ensure everyone gets the most out of their day.

We’re open 7 days a week, 364 days a year and there’s always something to see and do! From the last Sunday in October – January | 9.30am – 4.30pm (last entry 3.30pm).

We’re open every day except Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve we’re open 9.30am – 3pm. February & March | 9.30am – 5pm (last entry 4pm). April – October (until end of BST, last Saturday in October) | 9.30am – 5.30pm (last entry 4.30pm).

Our ‘What Teachers say’ section can be found half way down this page: https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/

We also have 4.8 stars awarded to us by learning visit leads on Kaddi by Evolve

If you would like more information our EYFS and Primary Visits brochure is available for download on our website

https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SL-EYFS-Primary-brochure-2025-Web.pdf or please do email us and we can pop one in the post for you.

This is the same for our Secondary, F.E. and H.E. Visits brochure. An online version is available here https://learningzone.wwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SL-secondary-brochure-WEB.pdf or again a copy can be sent out to you on request.