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WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

Type:Nature Reserve

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

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1038 reviews1038 reviews

Tel: 01704 895 181

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A child looks through binoculars to watch the flamingos.

There’s a fantastic day ahead of you at Martin Mere Wetland Centre.  Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, feeding, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal to 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.

Wildlife hides and spotting
There are ten hides and a reedbed to give your sense a treat.  Spring is an amazing time to discover wetland wildlife whether it is exploring the mile long reedbed walk listening for species like cetti’s warbler, sitting and viewing perching birds eat from our feeders, or overlooking the vast mere and marshlands as migrant waders breed, kingfishers feed and marsh harriers and barn owls fly overhead.

Canoe Safari and guided boat tours
Grab a paddle and take to the water in this award winning canoe safari or glide along on a guided boat tour or the wetlands.  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 illusive kingfisher. Open everyday from 11:00 to 16:00, there is an extra charge for this attraction, payable via a card machine at the canoe lodge.

Play areas
From zip wire screams and scramble net laughs and treehouse trailblazing, the huge adventure playground is a total rush for ages 3 to 12.  In addition, build a conifer den, go on a wild walk adventure or balance along the stepping stones.

Pond dipping
At the weekends between 13:30 and 15:00, 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.

Royal Bank of Canada Garden
Come and see the Royal Bank of Canada Show Garden.  This garden received a gold award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017 and the garden has been permanently relocated to Martin Mere.  Designed by Charlotte Harris, the garden recreates the boreal environment and is located within the Wooded Wetlands development at Martin Mere.

Eat, drink, shop
A selection of hot and cold snacks, drinks and ice creams are available from the outdoor kiosks for you to enjoy on-the-go to fuel your wetland adventure.  Snacks include tasty pasties, yummy sausage rolls and brownies.  You’re also welcome to bring your own food and drink and make use of the well-spaced picnic benches to enjoy your snacks in the great outdoors. 

The retail shop is open, offering a gorgeous selection of gifts, fun toys, informative books and good value bird food and feeding accessories.

Book Tickets

Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adultup to £15.50 per ticket
CarersFree
Child 4-16 yearsup to £8.50 per ticket
Child under 4 yearsFree
Concession (65 +, disabled, unemployed, student)up to £13.15 per ticket
Family (2 adults & 2 Child aged 4-16)up to £40.45 per ticket

If you are coming to Martin Mere Wetland Centre as a group consisting of 12 or move individuals you can ring through in advance as recieve a Group Rate Admission upon arrival.
Book online and save 10% on admission prices.

Opening Times

Open New Year
Winter Season (30 Oct 2022 - 27 Mar 2023)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday09:30 - 16:30
Bank Holiday09:30 - 16:30
Summer Season (28 Mar 2023 - 29 Oct 2023)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday09:30 - 18:00
Bank Holiday09:30 - 18:00

*
• 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

Tuesday, 27th September 2022 - Tuesday, 28th March 2023

Guided Walks at WWT Martin MereEvery Tuesday and Thursday, join one of the expert volunteers for a guided walk around our reserve.
more info

Tuesday, 8th November 2022 - Friday, 31st March 2023

Whooper swan and wild bird feedHundreds of whooper swans join the feed whilst you listen to the warden's commentary, telling you all about these amazing birds and why they choose to spend the winter with us at Martin Mere.
more info

Tuesday, 8th November 2022 - Sunday, 30th April 2023

Giant Lego Brick AnimalsVisit the centre to discover the Lego brick models that have been exclusively designed for WWT.   
more info

Saturday, 26th November 2022 - Friday, 31st March 2023

My Great Winter AdventureVisit Martin Mere during weekends and school holidays for My Great Winter Adventure activities and explore the journey of migratory birds that visit during the colder months.  Learn about the conservation work the team undertakes, such as how they ring birds to track their movements and the…
more info

Saturday, 1st April 2023 - Sunday, 16th April 2023

Easter Duck TrailHave a quacking time at Lancashire's wetlands as you enjoy the Easter Duck Trail.
more info

Monday, 1st May 2023 - Monday, 1st May 2023

Annual Duck RaceThe only race that matters. 
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:

4.5 of 5 stars
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    680
  • Very Good
    266
  • Average
    62
  • Poor
    16
  • Terrible
    14

Recent Reviews:

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    • Pink-feet & Whooper swan migration
    • A safer visit to Martin Mere

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