Chill out in our cooling wetlands as the heat rises
With hot weather expected for the next few days, why not bring your temperature down on a visit to our wonderfully cooling wetlands?
Take a midweek wander through our shady ancient woodland, alongside bubbling Spring Gill, or meander round our sparkling ponds and reservoir, with welcome shade from the many trees lining the way.
When your legs need a rest, pause a moment in one of Wader Lake's hides, overlooking wading chicks including common tern and avocet, or venture to Hawthorn Wood and marvel at the abundance of colourful woodland birds at the feeding station, many with youngsters in tow. You never know what star species you might see!
Our reedbed shelter provides cover from the sun, along with amazing views of Penshaw Monument on the horizon and swaying reeds containing warblers and families of moorhen and coot.
Come the weekend, bring the kids down and let them splash around in our wet play area - with its Archimedes screw and water wheel - while you chill on the grass or under the trees nearby with an ice cream.
Our Water Lab offers both fun and respite too. Work the lever to see the 'tippy cups' fill and empty in turn and enjoy sitting awhile bathed in the gorgeous light filtering in from the multi-coloured windows.
Outside, the Working Wetland Garden is beginning to bloom and with its shady picnic table and little metal dock perched above the cooling water, it makes for a great spot for some al fresco lunch and dragonfly spotting.
Don’t forget to try one of our delicious iced drinks or milkshakes back at Waterside Café too, which you can sit and savour on the sun terrace while watching geese, ducks and Eurasian cranes preen and swim on the stream below.
Best of all, your visit to our wetland reserve won’t just cool *you* down – by supporting WWT Washington you’ll also be contributing to our work creating and restoring more wetlands to help cool the whole planet.
Now that really IS cool!
Ready to visit?
If you've been inspired to explore Washington Wetland Centre, find out more and book your visit online.
