Welcome
WWT Washington Wetland Centre is a wetland nature reserve and visitor attraction on the banks of the river Wear. Open 364 days a year, our family-friendly site offers visitors of all ages and abilities a host of unforgettable wildlife encounters and beautiful scenery whatever the weather.
Visitors can explore 103 acres of exciting wetlands, woodlands and meadows that are home to rare wildfowl, flocks of waders, Chilean flamingos, Asian short-clawed otters, Eurasian cranes and more.
Every season brings a host of different flora and fauna, including regionally rare favourites such as avocet and Northern marsh orchid, as well as a variety of insects and amphibians; meaning no two visits are the same.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Visitor toilets within the centre buildingCompost toiletWaterside CafeGift ShopCafe verandaAccess with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to:
Admissions deskHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Travel by taxi
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The door to the main entrance is always left open for visitors' ease on arrival. There is a 6cm lip at the entrance to the visitor centre - a portable ramp is available to aid entry.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Admissions desk
There is a 6cm lip at the entrance to the visitor centre - a portable ramp is available to aid entry.
Things to See and Do
Public toilet
Visitor toilets within the centre building
The disabled toilet has a baby changing table which is at an accessible height.
There is a family toilet with baby changing room also within the centre building, which has a bench and two changing mats.
Public toilet
Compost toilet
This compost toilet is located in between the Asian short-clawed otter enclosure and Northumbrian Water hide. It has a changing table and accessible space.
Shop
Gift Shop
Place to eat and drink
Waterside Cafe
Service is from a self-service counter. Visitors requiring assistance to carry trays of food and drink to a table should ask a member of staff.
Staff are happy to assist by reading out menus and describing or locating products for those visitors with visual impairments.
Getting around outside
Inner circle - our main animal collection
This part of the attraction includes various stopping points to view wildlife including areas with gates which are simple to push. The otter viewing platform has an accessible ramp to one side for viewing and the otter holt area is fully accessible with large viewing windows.
Designated Walking Trail
Wild reserve
All hides have moveable seating to allow access to wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
The path to Lagoon View hide is steep. It is accessible for mobility scooter users but with caution and at low speed. It is not suitable for wheelchair users. The path is not DDA compliant. Please ask the admissions team if you require any further assistance.
Some sections of footpath in Spring Gill are steep and it is not recommended that wheelchair users or mobility scooters continue beyond the bridge. The steep section is clearly visible from the bridge as the path rises towards Top Meadow.
A foxproof gate must be passed through at North Wood, which may prove difficult for larger wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Hawthorn hide
Lagoon View hide
Northumbrian Water hide
Paddy Fleming hide
Diageo hide
Prince's Trust hide
Picnic Area
Reedbed shelter
There are a variety of picnic tables around site. Some of these are accesible for wheelchair / mobility scooter users with extended picnic benches for access.
Cafe veranda
The cafe veranda is accessible from the main centre building and through the cafe itself.
Customer care support
The centre has a manual wheelchair available to hire during your visit. The centre also has a number of electric scooters also available to hire. Please book in advance on 0191 416 5454. A short induction programme is given to each new user of the electric scooters.
If you require something to be charged, please speak to a member of the team who will get this arranged for you.
Emergency evacuation procedures
We have a full evacuation procedure to clear the centre building with staff that will be available to assist all visitors if and when needed.
Customer care support
We can print a large scale visitor map on request for any visitors who may need it.
Fully trained, on duty assistance dogs (trained by member organisations of ADUK) are welcome on site. The admissions team can provide a bowl of water. Unfortunately we can't allow any other dogs or pets of any kind on site as our wildlife may become distressed. Assistance dogs must be kept on their lead, under control and their harnesses must state "working or assistance dog".
Please ensure any dog waste is removed. If any of our birds/animals behaviour is affected by the presence of your dog, we respectfully ask that you understand that we may have to ask you to move away from the area. Please do not leave your dog in your car whilst visiting.