Walk away those Christmas calories this Boxing Day at WWT
Wake up on Boxing Day feeling like a pig in a blanket? Many of us overindulge on turkey, booze and Christmas pud, so why not clear those foggy heads with some fresh air and work off those festive excesses with a visit to a WWT wetland centre – one of the few attractions in the country actually open on Boxing Day.
WWT centres change throughout the seasons, and when Christmas casts its frosty spell over the wetlands, it is a magical time to visit. And after spending a day indoors opening presents, enjoying a Christmas feast then falling asleep in front of a film (cracker hat still on), getting out on Boxing Day is a great opportunity for the family to get out and about. Witness the wildlife spectacles nature has to offer by strolling through the wetlands at one of WWT’s nine centres throughout the UK. Experience stunning scenery, breathtaking views, and nose to beak encounters with the world’s most dramatic and rare wildlife, including the many thousands of ducks, geese and swans who migrate thousands of miles to WWT centres.
Enjoy the stunning spectacle of up to 9,000 whooper and Bewick’s swans at Welney, some 30,000 pink-footed geese at Martin Mere, more than 25,000 barnacle geese at Caerlaverock, and almost the entire population of light-bellied brent geese at Castle Espie. See these amazing winter visitors close-up at the regular commentated wild bird feeds at many centres, and look out for the Bewick’s swans at Slimbridge, each of whom is named and individually recognised by their own unique bill pattern.
Don’t forget, the winter heat of WWT’s 2011-2012 Photography Competition is running from December until the end of February, so why not bring your camera and see what masterpieces you can capture during your visit. To enter the competition and be in with a chance of grabbing one of the fantastic prizes worth a total of £50,000, visit www.wwt.org.uk/photo.
There are lots of festive activities, guided walks and talks at centres for all the family throughout the festive period. Each centre has excellent restaurants and gift shops and all have family friendly and disabled facilities including buggy access, manual wheelchairs and electric buggies for hire.
For more details on what is happening at each individual WWT centre over the festive season and into the new year, visit www.wwt.org.uk/visit.
