WWT Welney Wetland Centre

Spread your wings at WWT Welney Wetland Centre and spend a day exploring the wetlands in the heart of the Fens. Your wild adventure is enhanced by the comforts found in the visitor centre. Begin your day with breathtaking views over the Fen landscape from the cafe. Here you can spy hares boxing, and listen to warblers sing in spring or enjoy views of owls, swans, cranes or even catch a glimpse of the elusive water rail in winter, all with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

A walk across the footbridge brings you to the first and largest of the hides; where commentated bird feeds can be enjoyed during the winter months with swans and pochard a visitor favourite. There is no need to worry about getting chilly; this heated hide allows you to watch the winter spectacle in comfort. In the summer months watch house martins, swallows, common terns and rare black-tailed godwits raise their young in front of you.

Exploring the wider reserve will give you access to four further hides, from which you can watch thousands of ducks and wading birds in winter or chicks and ducklings taking their first steps in summer. Along the footpaths look out for butterflies, bumblebees and dragonflies, or find out what lives beneath the surface at the pond dipping stations. Step free access, wheel-friendly route from entrance door to all of our hides.

Enjoy swathes of colour as wildflowers line the summer walk, and totally immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the wetlands at this furthest point of the reserve. This smooth, regularly mown path is suitable for all walkers, pushchairs and all-terrain mobility scooters (of which we have two available to hire for free in centre).

At the furthest reaches of the reserve adventurous explorers can find the tansy trail (not suitbale for mobility scooters, walking shows advised). From late summer to late winter the Lady Fen trails are also open and available to enjoy.

Everything you need for an unforgettable day out.

Eating Facilities
Our Wigeon cafe offers the chance to enjoy home-cooked food whilst looking out on fantastic Fenland views. Our bright, big-windowed café comes with a gorgeous panorama over the stunning wetlands of the Fens. There's space for everyone - friends, families, groups - to enjoy freshly-cooked food and Fairtrade hot drinks to tickle all tastebuds. Grab a cold snack, sit-down with a hot meal and enjoy views to dine-for. Open from 9.30am daily.

Disabled Access
Wheelchairs are available on site with good access to the visitor centre, bridge, heated main hide and many hides and walkways. A hearing loop exists in the visitor centre and main observatory.

Gift Shop
Something for everyone - bursting with luxury gifts, gorgeous greeting cards, local souvenirs, as well as the latest wildlife books, bird care essentials, and a fantastic range of optics with binoculars, telescopes and accessories. Our friendly team are on hand to help with any questions, make suggestions and help you get the most out of your visit.