Top 10 things to do this summer at Martin Mere

We’ve put together a list of our top 10 recommendations this summer - take a look!

Looking for a fantastic family day out this summer holidays? Join us from 20 July and see wetland stars like fabulous flamingos, wonderful white storks, and incredible Inca terns and have a jammed-packed day full of fun activities. We’ve put together a list of our top 10 recommendations - take a look!

The Mere Tun Village at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, weapons training session in the background.

1. Mere tun village

During the summer holidays, get an exclusive look into our Mere Tun village and see how wetlands were used throughout the ages. Find out more about how materials were used to create roundhouse villages and something we’re really excited about - defend the village with our weapons training sessions!

Cost: free

Dates: Daily, 12:00 - 15:00


Picture shows two children pointing at a giant Lego otter at WWT Martin Mere

2. GIANT LEGO© Sculptures

See if you can find all 15 of our exclusively designed GIANT LEGO© brick animals! There are amazing sculptures like our large North American river otter, a Hawaiian goose (the world’s rarest goose!), a giant kingfisher, frog, flamingo and more! Over 250,000 LEGO© bricks were used to make the wetland characters, which took over 1,500 hours to make!

Cost: free


Pond dipping session at WWT Martin Mere, young boy and adult looking into his net.

3. Pond dipping

There’s lots to discover in our Pond Zone, water boatmen, diving beetles, snails, and maybe even newts! Our volunteer-led sessions are available for no extra cost.

Cost: free

Dates: Daily, 13:30 - 15:00


20150627-DSC_0670.jpg

4. Wild Walk

It’s the place to let your kids run wild - take a visit to our Wild Walk and explore our brand new adventure play area. Meander through a maze of wetland tracks, and see what creatures you can find in one of the world’s largest bug hotels.

During the summer holidays, go foraging in Wild Walk as part of our Drawn to Water activity booklet! Find reed, water mint, wild marjoram and more.

Cost: free

QB-seasonal-966.png

5. Drawn to Water seasonal highlights

Reimagine the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eyes of the UK’s best-loved illustrator. Collect an illustrated guide full of Quentin Blake’s drawings and journey around our wonderful wetland world this summer.

Cost: free

Boat-tour-Martin-Mere.png

6. Guided boat tour

Learn about amazing wetlands with our guided boat tour. Whether you’re a nature lover, or looking to unwind and relax, these informative boat tours will delve into the history of Martin Mere and the wetland species you can find here.

Want a quieter session? Please call our team in advance and we may be able to run an earlier session at 10:30 (based on availability). Boat tours can accommodate two wheelchairs and carers go free.

Cost: £3 per seat, advanced booking recommended

Time: Daily, run hourly from 11:00


Picture of father and son on a canoe at WWT Martin Mere

7. Canoe safari

Embark on your own canoe adventure through breathtaking landscapes and mesmerising waterways. Dragonflies, kingfishers, water voles – what treasures will you discover?

Cost: £10 per canoe

Dates: Daily, 11:00 - 16:00


Young girl birdwatching from a scope, WWT Martin Mere

8. Family birdwatching

Head to the Discovery Hide for a fantastic view of our mere and see what species you can spot. As part of your Drawn to Water activity booklet, we’ve tasked you with finding a coot, tufted duck, oystercatcher, lapwing and more!

Our expert guide in the hide will also be available between 14:00 - 15:00 for some bird watching sessions.

Cost: free


Picture shows a lime hawk moth recorded from a moth trapping session at WWT Martin Mere

9. Moth trapping

Each morning at 10:30, we’re opening up our moth trap outside of the Discovery Hide to see what species we find at Martin Mere. We have over 300 species at Martin Mere - so you may find something different every day!

Cost: free

Dates: Daily, 10:30


A child making a clay model in the Longhouse craft room, WWT Martin Mere

10. Arts and craft

Each day, head to our Longhouse craft room and get stuck in with clay modelling, building your own mini-roundhouse, traditional weaving and more.

Cost: free and paid crafts (from £1 - £2.50)

Dates: Daily, 13:00 - 16:00


Normal admission prices apply during our summer holiday events, with members entering the centre for free.

Ready to visit?

Book now

  • Share this article