Family Favourites

Hand feeding

Bird feeding has returned to Martin Mere!

Pick up a bag of bird feed for £1.50 and feed the birds in our living collection!

Our living collection represents birds from wetlands in Australia, Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. You’ll be able to hand feed swans like our beautiful black swans, geese such as our friendly nenes, and many ducks such as the shelduck, white-faced whistling duck, indian runner duck, and tufted duck, making your visit that extra bit special.

To buy seeds to hand feed our birds, ask our information desk for more information on arrival.

Outdoor adventures

Head to our stepping stones, den building or outdoor play area; from zip wire screams and scramble net laughs to treehouse trailblazing, our huge adventure playground is a total rush for ages 3 to 12.

Talks and feeds

At 11.30am and 2.30pm every day, we feed our Asian short clawed otters, Penny and Kenai. The otter feed includes a talk and you can get up close to the otters to get some amazing photos. Head to the greater flamingos at 1:30pm and learn all about this flamboyant bird. Find out more about talks and feeds.

Canoe safari

Grab a paddle and take to the water in our award winning canoe safari. Embark on the canoe via a self-service jetty and set off your watery adventure searching for moorhens, mallards, fish, water voles and the illusive kingfisher.

Open from 29 March until 30 September, and weekends and school holidays in October until 27 October. The minimum height for children is 1m. There is an extra charge for this attraction, payable via a card machine at the canoe lodge. Our safaris are very popular so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Useful information for families

• All of our pathways on site are buggy friendly, you will be able to explore all of the grounds seeing our amazing wildlife up close
• Just ask at our admissions desk if there is anything you need – from a sewing kit, cycle puncture kit, wipes, sanitary products to directions to the nearest electric charging point, our team are here to help.
• Our Mere Side café has a good selection of children’s hot and cold lunches. Water refills are available as well as a bottler warmer on request and a microwave to warm up baby food. We also have spare bowls and spoons just in case, just ask at the till point.
• Picnic benches are located around the grounds and there is a kiosk by the canoe safari, open at weekends and holidays serving soft scoop ice cream, drinks and snacks
• Guided boat tours are available for children under the age of 5 (height restriction on canoes) and the boat can also accommodate wheelchairs. You can book this in advance online via the canoe safari experience page.
• There are changing facilities located in the café and by the play area. There is a hoist and adjustable height changing table located in the main building.
• Pocket money items in our shop include marbles and stationery items
• We have sensory bags available from the admissions desk, which include fidget toys, ear defenders, binoculars and bird tick lists. These require a £15 deposit which is refunded once the bag is returned.
• In our craft room, we have cushioned trays available for wheelchair users or anyone who would struggle to sit at a lower table.

For further information on our accessibility and quiet times, please visit our accessibility page.