WWT Slimbridge — Attraction in Stroud

I recently went to WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre with my family, and we had such a brilliant day out. My dad is a huge bird lover, so he was especially excited, but honestly, we all had a great time. From the moment we arrived, the place had such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere—it didn’t feel like just another attraction; it felt like somewhere you could properly enjoy and take your time exploring. One thing I will say straight away—wear trainers or shoes you don’t mind getting a bit messy! With so many birds wandering around freely, there’s a fair bit of bird poo on the paths. It’s all part of the experience, but definitely something to keep in mind when choosing what shoes to wear! My absolute favourite part of the day was seeing the flamingos. They’re such beautiful birds, and I could have stood there watching them for ages. The bright pink feathers, the way they stand on one leg—it’s just so cool to see them up close. I also loved feeding the ducks. For just £1.50, you can buy a bag of food, and it was so much fun having them waddle over, all eager and excited. The swans got in on the action too, gliding over so gracefully. It was such a simple thing, but it made the experience feel even more interactive. We also spent some time in the bird hides, which was perfect for my dad. He was pointing out all the different species and getting so into it, which was really nice to see. The Estuary Tower Hide was amazing—the views from the top were incredible, and because it has a lift, everyone can enjoy it. Watching all the birds out on the wetlands felt so peaceful, and it was one of those moments where you just stop and appreciate nature. Slimbridge is such an inclusive place, which is something that really stood out to me. Whether you're young, old, a serious birdwatcher, or just someone looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone. The staff were really friendly and helpful, and everything from the accessible pathways to the well-placed seating areas made it feel like a place designed for everyone to enjoy. For families, there’s loads to do. We saw kids splashing around in Welly Boot Land and others getting stuck into the play areas. There’s even a canoe safari, which looked amazing—I’d definitely love to try that next time! Overall, we had such a fantastic day, and I’d 100% recommend it to anyone. Whether you love birds, enjoy being out in nature, or just want a fun and relaxing day with family, Slimbridge has so much to offer. Just make sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting a bit mucky—I learned that the hard way! We’ll definitely...

We visited last year for the second time in recent years (although my parents took me years ago when i was little) and I was disappointed and upset by some of the things I witnessed! A huge part of the place is now a kids playground and some of the wild birds are in danger.. there was a family of coots, and they were on the path, one woman allowed her little 1 year old to try and touch the chicks and so I deliberately intervened, then all of a sudden a child with mental degeneration started chasing, screaming and trying to kick the chicks and parent coots, and if that wasn't bad enough! I then saw a little girl hit a mallard ... kids and wildlife do not mix! (Especially today's society as the parents have no control or discipline) and to top it off, in the area where there are signs "do not feed" a bloke was feeding bread to the birds, while another woman was sitting eating her lunch! Bread can kill birds and it has no nutritional value! That experience has completely upset me and makes me reluctant to visit again! You need to decide... kids theme park or wildlife reserve.. you can't have both because the kids harm the wildlife not just physically but also, the loud noise of screaming kids scares wildlife away! If you got rid of the "kids theme park" and brought back the quiet wildlife sanctuary it used to be.. I'd love to visit again.. but untill then .. I don't want to experience another day like last...

I have to say my rating is slightly increased my nostalgia but here is my reasoning.

Slimbridge is very accommodating of family's and children. The building is clean and presentable with wheelchair and pushchair access everywhere. The grounds are littered with information about everything from birds to how they keep the lakes and rivers clean on the grounds. They have multiple rare birds that you can see and feed and they have really made this an experience and not just simple bird watching. They are always improving the grounds and are actually added a small lake and seating area outside the cafe.

My recommendation: I can seem quite expensive as tickets are £18 for adults however it is up to the customer how much they want to get out of it I highly recommend going for the whole day they have loads to see and they have playground for the children. Make sure to take advantage of the diving duck show and theatre in the aviary and the canoe safari doing these little things through the day really bring the value to the experience and add an element that is well worth the money. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable so don't be afraid to ask questions. Also make sure to wander through toad hall before leaving. This is a charity organisation trying to make a safe and eco friendly home for our birds and have projects to save species all over the world. 5...