WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

WWT Martin Mere is where wilderness and family-friendliness combine.

Spring and summer are fantastic times to visit the centre as new life develops allowing you to see the cute sights of ducklings, goslings, cygnets and chicks spring up around the reserve. Seasonal attractions include the award winning duckling nursery open from late May, take to the water and get a close encounter with nature on our award winning canoe safari and boat tour experience, den building, see what creatures you can find on bug hunts and pond dipping sessions every weekend.

But there is plenty to see and do at Martin Mere all year round, with more than 100 types of rare and endangered water-birds to hand feed, a family of enchanting otters in residence, den building, an imaginative playground for young adventurers, an inspirational eco-garden and a rolling programme of events, walks and talks.

Feature attractions

Wild Walk:

Explore the newest hidden gem of wetland habitat. The Wild Walk experience takes visitors on a journey through three types of wetland habitat, providing a taste of the ‘wild’ reserves, which are traditionally only accessed via viewpoints in hides.

Visitors are encouraged to bring wellies and meander through a maze of wetland tracks, through the muddy meadow to the middle maze lodge, across the wobbly web bridge to the wet woods and along a reedy ramble, discovering hidden play equipment along the way.

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.

Rushes Adventure Play Area

The Rushes is designed to reflect Martin Mere’s focus on the environment and natural play. It seeks to provide opportunities for all ages and abilities in a social, safe and clean context. Features include:

• Mini marshlands – Toddler play space
• The wetlands – water play space with dams, bridges and channels to explore
• Fly like a bird across a cableway
• Climb the giant treehouse and slide down the tunnel
• The reed bed – giant timber sculptures with nets and ropes for climbing, jumping, sliding and clambering on
• The sand flats – sand play area with playful grassy mounds and smooth boulders

Award winning Canoe Safari & boat tours

This self guided canoe safari offers families and adults a safe and fun way to explore the recently created reedbed habitat and its rich biodiversity. Adults and children alike will be able to enjoy spotting some of the UK’s most threatened species ranging from water voles to reed buntings whilst having plenty of fun!  The canoes can have up to three people in them and the charge to use the safari is £8.00 per boat.  Children under 18 must be accompanied in a boat with an adult.

The canoe Safari won the award for Best Visitor Experience in the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 2011/12.

In contrast take a peaceful tour of our wetlands via a guided boat, learning all about Martin Mere, watching wildlife, spotting dragonflies, listening for warblers and admiring the wild flowers whilst enjoying the peace and tranquillity. The boat tours cost £3 per seat for the 30 minute guided tour. The boats seat 8 people and can also accommodate 2 wheelchairs.