July’s walk of the month: WWT Washington Wetland Centre

The trailhead for all three walking routes around Washington Wetland Centre can be found at the main visitor centre – with facilities also including a café (with sun terrace), a gift shop, accessible toilets and a baby changing room.

THE WALK

WWT Washington Wetland Centre is a wetland nature reserve and visitor attraction on the banks of the River Wear. Open 364 days a year, this family-friendly site offers visitors of all ages and abilities a host of unforgettable wildlife encounters and beautiful scenery whatever the weather.

In summer, wetlands are truly uplifting places to be. They are lush, verdant and brimming with life. Birds are busy raising their young, ponds are buzzing with colourful dragonflies and meadows are awash with flowers, while cool waterways and woodlands offer shade on warmer days.

Better yet, there’s no right or wrong way to explore these magnificent wetlands. In fact, there are three main routes for you to choose from, all starting at the main visitor centre.

These can be divided into the “inner circuit” – which is circular, fully tarmacked and takes in the animal collection – and the “outer circuit”, comprising a number of wild habitats and split roughly into two walks, which take in either the East or West of the reserve.

Both outer routes lead to one of WWT Washington’s year-round wildlife hotspots, Wader Lake, from which you can access the inner circuit for a quicker return to the building or carry on and enjoy the opposite side of the reserve from where you began. 

HLN Hint: most of the site is accessible, but one or two areas are too steep for wheelchairs. The centre’s visual accessibility guide here shows you what to expect to help you plan your visit.

THE ROUTES

• The inner circuit – approximately 880m – involving a collection animals including wildfowl, otters and flamingos.
• The outer circuit (East) – approximately 1300m – wildflower meadows, ancient woodland, wildlife ponds and Wader Lake.
• The outer circuit (West) – approximately 1300m – reedbed, deadwood habitat, woodland bird feeding station, saline lagoon, the Lookout, the River Wear and Wader Lake.

On arriving at the main visitor centre, you’ll find a large map in the corridor detailing the layout of the 103-acre sloping site. Snap a photo for reference and look out for the signposts with maps guiding you around outside, too.

The inner circuit

A walk around WWT Washington’s animal collection may be the shortest option on a day out, but it’s certainly not short of amazing sights to enjoy.

Step out from the visitor centre and you’re greeted by a flourishing stream habitat, complete with giant oxeye daisies, blooming lavender covered in bees, the sound of running water and incredible views of native wildlife such as barnacle geese, goldeneye and once-extinct common cranes.

Walk on and you’ll come to Close Encounters; home to ducks and swans from around the world, some of which have young families in summer and can be seen feeding and enjoying the sunshine.

Further along is Ganderland – where you can meet the world’s rarest goose, the gentle Nene, as well as many other species – followed by a network of ponds with a variety of feathered inhabitants and a large grassy picnic area framed by pine trees, ideal for a picturesque snack stop.

The nearby Chilean flamingo flock has been resident here since 1986 and breeds some years, with the newly hatched birds just visible between the many legs of the surrounding adults.

Down the hill from their enclosure and its solar powered flamingo house, you’ll pass the world’s smallest swan species – the coscoroba – before arriving at the Asian short-clawed otters.

Mimi, Musa and their son Buster can be seen frolicking in their watery habitat all day long, with twice-daily talks from their keepers at 11.30am and 2.30pm (followed by commentated flamingo feeds at 11.45am and 2.45pm).

From here, it’s a short stroll up the bank to the rain garden and interactive Water Lab – gold award and Best Showgarden winner at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, from where it was transplanted and lovingly reinstated in WWT Washington’s grounds.

Still on an incline, the path continues back towards the visitor centre, with an optional detour to the duckery, as well as passing the insect garden.

As the route levels out again, the site’s orchard and working allotment are worth a look and provide Waterside Café with tasty homegrown produce across the seasons.

MORE INFORMATION 

WWT Washington runs its own guided walks every month, led by expert staff and volunteers. Free with admission, the hour-long walks start at 11am prompt and there’s no need to book.

For the latest upcoming event info and news stories, visit WWT Washington’s What’s On pages or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and check out the wildlife sightings, updated daily, for an idea of what highlights are about at the moment.

WWT Washington Wetland Centre, Pattinson, Washington NE38 8LE

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