Top 5 things to do over the festive holidays

Getting out and about in nature can be particularly rewarding after a busy few weeks of Christmas shopping, parties and family gatherings - so don't forget to plan in your down-time!

Here's our 'top 5' things to do during a visit to Washington Wetland Centre this festive period.

1. Wild Welly Walks

Pick up a Wild Welly Walks activity guide all throughout December and January and spot, draw and splash your way through winter. With fantastic nature-themed tasks and challenges to keep everyone entertained, it's a great excuse to explore. PLUS, don't forget to collect your FREE COOKIE from our cafe team after completing them!

2. New Year guided walks

Enjoying a New Year's Day walk and the widllife sightings that come with it is one of life's true pleasures, so why not kick start your tick list early and meet volunteer Melissa for one of two guided wanders taking place on 1 January! Full details here.

3. Visit a wildlife hide

Hawthorn Wood hide is always a favourite place to spot woodland birds but especially during the colder months. See greenfinch, bullfinch, great tit and many more calling in to feed on the array of nuts, seeds and fatballs on offer.

The four hides around Wader Lake make for great viewing too, with redshank, curlew and lapwing (to name a few) regularly spotted along the water channels, meadows and islands.

There have also been lots of fantastic sightings around Saline Lagoon hide this winter, including little egret, kingfisher and Eurasian teal. With its 360-degree vista, taking in the reedbed, River Wear and lagoon itself, it's the ideal place to spend some quality time patiently waiting for your next wildlife spot!

4. Listen to an otter talk

Our sweet and charismatic Asian short-clawed otters noisily await tasty treats! Come along to twice-daily talks (11.30am and 2.30pm) and learn a little bit more about this species of otter, our family here at Washington Wetland Centre and how your visit contributes to work being done to help save them in the wild.

5. Dine at Waterside Cafe

You may have noticed that things have changed in Waterside Cafe. Our menu has had a revamp and we are now offering lots of warming and hearty meals, hot drinks, scones, cakes and delicious freshly made sandwiches. Sit and enjoy the views of our stream channel, where common crane, barnacle geese and white-fronted geese go about their business. Read more and view our menu online here.

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