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WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

Type:Animal Collection

Fish Lane, Burscough, Nr Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 0TA

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1055 reviews1055 reviews

Tel: 01704 895 181

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WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

There’s a fantastic day ahead of you at Martin Mere Wetland Centre.  Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal with some of nature’s most wonderful wildlife.

800 acres of adventure to flutter hearts, home to thousands of rare birds; a cheeky family of otters; an all-star cast of pretty pink flamingos and a group of white storks to mention a few.

Living collection:
Martin Mere has over 70 wetland species from across the globe that you can see all year round.  Take a walk around the amazing scenery and see flamingos, inca terns, spoonbills, common cranes, southern screamers, and a wide variety of ducks, geese and swans.

Canoe Safari and guided boat tours:
Grab a paddle and take to the water in this award-winning canoe safari or guided boat tour.  Embark on the canoe via a self-service jetty and set off on your watery adventure, searching for moorhens, mallards, fish, water voles and the elusive kingfisher.  Open April – September daily (11:00 – 16:00), and weekends and half term in October (11:00 – 15:00).  £10.00 per canoe, or £3.00 per seat on the guided boat.  Guided boat tours can be booked in advance via the Martin Mere website, canoes are bookable on the day of your visit.

Wildlife hides and spotting:
There are 12 hides and a reedbed to give your senses a treat.  Each season offers new life, with summer being a great time to discover wetland wildlife.  The reedbed comes alive in the summer as all of the warblers that have been over wintering in Africa return and fill the reedbed with song.

Play areas:
From zip wire screams and scramble net laughs and treehouse trailblazing, the huge adventure playground is a total rush for ages three to 12.  For a new adventure, visit the Wild Walk for the newly installed play area.  Test your balance on the balance weaver and balance beam, take on the swinging steps, and brave the rickety bridge.  ​​​​​In addition, balance on the popular stepping stones, and have a go at den building.

Pond dipping:
Delve into the ponds and see what creatures are lurking beneath.  Can you find the slippery newts or dinosaur-like dragonfly nymphs in this free activity?  No booking is required to take part but it is recommended to come later in the session to avoid the initial queue.  Open weekends and school holidays April - September, 13:00 - 16:00.
​​​​​​​
Craft room:
The family craft room is the perfect activity come rain or shine. Let your kid's creativity run wild with activities for all ages, including free and paid activities. Open weekends and school holidays, 13:00 - 16:00.

Eat, drink, shop
A selection of hot and cold food is available from the Mere Side Café and outdoor kiosks so you can take a break from your wetland adventure. There is also a selection of drinks and snacks including tea and coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, and homemade cakes.  The café also has a range of vegan and gluten-free options available.  Want to bring your own picnic?  No problem.  Take a seat at one of the picnic tables, or head to the picnic room (open weekends and school holidays).

Browse through the wide range of items in the retail shop.  There are gifts, fun toys, books, accessories, and good-value bird food and feeding accessories.  And every penny you spend goes to support the vital conservation work of WWT.

Book Tickets

Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£15.40 per ticket
CarersFree
Child 4-17 years£10.00 per ticket
Child under 4 yearsFree
Concession (65+, disabled, unemployed, FT student)£13.86 per ticket
Family (2 adults & 2 children aged 4-17 years)£43.18 per ticket
MemberFree

If you are visiting Martin Mere Wetland Centre as a group consisting of 12 or move individuals you can ring through in advance and receive a group rate admission upon arrival.
Book online and save 10% on admission prices.
All admission prices exclude Gift Aid contribution.

Opening Times

Open New Year

* • Open 364 days a year – that’s every day except Christmas Day
• Car park closes at 18:00 in the summer and 16.30 in winter
• You can visit between 9.30 - 18:00 (16:30 in winter and 15:00 on Christmas Eve) and last admission is one hour before closing.
• Buggy and wheelchair friendly

Events

Wednesday, 6th September 2023 - Wednesday, 17th July 2024

Gosling Gang at WWT Martin MereGosling Gang is a morning of fun and learning for your toddlers, including story time, sing along and toddler activities.   
more info

Saturday, 14th October 2023 - Sunday, 31st March 2024

Whooper swan and wild bird feed at WWT Martin MereJoin the wardens to watch this amazing spectacle.
more info

Wednesday, 20th December 2023 - Sunday, 14th April 2024

Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake Exhibition at WWT Martin MereThe exhibition of 54 of Quentin Blake’s wetland-themed prints will be split into two parts that will be available to enjoy at different times throughout the autumn and winter.
more info

Monday, 1st January 2024 - Friday, 16th August 2024

North West Wetland Photographer of the Year at WWT Martin Mere2024 celebrates the wonders of wetlands.
more info

Monday, 1st January 2024 - Monday, 30th December 2024

Craft Room at WWT Martin MereLet your kid's creativity run wild with activities for all ages, including free and paid activities.
more info

Friday, 9th February 2024 - Monday, 30th September 2024

Hand Feeding at WWT Martin MerePick up a bag of bird feed and feed the birds in the living collection.
more info

Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Sunday, 2nd June 2024

Saturday, 25th May 2024 - Sunday, 2nd June 2024

Bing's Nature Explorers at WWT Martin MereLearn all about wetland nature and wildlife with a little help from Bing and his friends.
more info

Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Saturday, 23rd March 2024

Saturday, 18th May 2024 - Saturday, 18th May 2024

Saturday, 21st September 2024 - Saturday, 21st September 2024

Saturday, 23rd November 2024 - Saturday, 23rd November 2024

Art Workshops at WWT Martin MereBe inspired by the wetland setting as Kerry’s expertise and passion takes your skills further in your wildlife artwork.
more info

Friday, 29th March 2024 - Sunday, 14th April 2024

Easter Giant Duck Hunt at WWT Martin MereThink you've got the detective skills to find 20 giant yellow ducks and their five real-life friends, hidden around Martin Mere Wetland Centre?  
more info

Wednesday, 1st May 2024 - Saturday, 31st August 2024

Moth Trapping at WWT Martin MereFind out all the weird and wonderful facts about moths.
more info

Monday, 6th May 2024 - Monday, 6th May 2024

Annual Duck Race at WWT Martin MereThe only race that matters, the annual bank holiday rubber duck race. 
more info

Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction
VAQAS VB Attraction

Awards

  • Sub-Regional AwardsBest Visitor Experience of the Year Best Visitor Experience of the Year 2011
  • Green AwardsGreen Tourism Business Scheme (Gold) Green Tourism Business Scheme (Gold) 2014
  • Sub-Regional AwardsSustainable Tourism Award Sustainable Tourism Award 2012
  • Sub-Regional AwardsPartner of Visit Lancashire Partner of Visit Lancashire 2018
  • Sub-Regional AwardsMaking a Difference Award Making a Difference Award 2011
  • Sub-Regional AwardsLancashire Tourism Awards 2016 - Finalist Lancashire Tourism Awards 2016 - Finalist 2016

Directions

Road Directions

Follow A59 towards Preston. Through Burscough Village turn left immediately after the railway bridge onto Red Cat Lane. Follow for 1 mile, Martin Mere is on left.

Public Transport Directions

Nearest railway station is Burscough Bridge station. Martin Mere is 1.5 miles from station. Signposted walk, approximately 30mins, or can get taxi from Burscough Village. Cyclists are always welcome at Martin Mere.

The centre is signposted from Junction 8, M61, Junction 3 on M58 and Junction 27 on M6.

Facilities

Other

  • Concessionary Admission Charges
  • Open All Year
  • Outdoor

Establishment Features

  • Conference Facilities
  • Disabled Access/Toilets

Parking & Transport

  • Car Parking
  • On site parking

Payment Methods

  • Delta accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Special Group Rates
  • Switch accepted
  • Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

  • In countryside

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

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