South West · Gloucestershire
WWT Slimbridge
Sir Peter Scott's original reserve — and still the best place in Britain to experience the winter wildfowl spectacle. Thousands of Bewick's and whooper swans, white-fronted geese, plus rarities every winter.
Region
South West
Habitat
Wetland, estuary
Best months
November – March
Famous for
Bewick's Swan, White-fronted Goose, Pintail
What you'll see
From November, the Severn-side fields fill with wintering swans + geese. Bewick's swans (Russia) and whoopers (Iceland) come right up to the floodlit observation tower for evening swan-feeds. White-fronted geese in 4-figure flocks. Wigeon, pintail, teal, shoveler in their thousands.
Spring + summer remain interesting — breeding waders, common cranes (re-introduced population), occasional rarities. The Scott collection of captive wildfowl is itself a draw, and the Tropical House gives close encounters with non-UK species.
How to visit
Free for WWT members. Visitor centre, café, hides spread across the reserve. Evening swan-feeds (Nov-Feb) are bookable. Tropical House on site.
Top species
- Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan
- White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose
- Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler in numbers
- Common Crane (re-introduced)
- Rare visitors annually