WWT Washington Wetland Centre on Wearside plans to re-open on 12th April

Washington Wetlands
Author: Micky WelchPublished 7th Apr 2021

The north east will soon be able to find solace from the latest lockdown by getting out into the 104 acres of big skies and beautiful wetland nature at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, which re-opens on Monday 12 April, subject to government confirmation.

The centre is planning to have online tickets available a week in advance on Tuesday 6 April on Washington’s website: [wwt.org.uk/washington]. To keep everyone safe and socially distanced, the wetland centre is managing numbers by asking every person who visits Washington to pre-book their tickets, including those who visit for free such as members, children under four and carers.

Visitors returning to the wetland centre can expect an array of seasonal spring delights, with birds such as avocet and grey heron nesting on Wader Lake, woodland birds including bullfinch and long-tailed tit displaying and mating in Hawthorn Wood, and flowers, insects and amphibians emerging each day! Hides will be open too, allowing you to get even closer to nature. While there are still some restrictions in place, you can be sure for a fantastic day out, whatever the weather!

Gill Pipes, centre manager at WWT Washington says, “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our wonderful wetlands. They’re bursting with spring life and we’re looking forward to visitors seeing the stunning colours and diverse wildlife, and for them to get immersed once more in the great outdoors. And we think our animals may well be looking forward to seeing some different faces!

As a conservation charity, we are incredibly grateful for our members and the public support through these challenging times, it has meant the world to us. Thanks to local peoples’ and supporters’ generosity we have been able to carry on caring for our wildlife and our wetlands even when we’ve been closed. Re-opening Washington on 12 April feels like a significant milestone towards a more secure future, and a brilliant way to thank everyone for sticking by us.”

To keep everyone safe, there will be daily limits on the number of visitors to Washington and booking is essential for all visitors. For full up-to-date information and to find out what facilities will be available nearer the time, please visit wwt.org.uk/Washington.

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