WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) reserve · Welney, Norfolk
Welney Wetland Centre birdwatching guide
WWT Welney sits on the Ouse Washes, the vast flood-storage washland that becomes a winter inland sea drawing thousands of whooper and Bewick's swans from the Arctic. A heated observatory overlooks the floodlit evening swan feeds — winter birdwatching in armchair comfort.
Key facts
- Habitat
- wetland
- Size
- 400 ha
- Entry fee (adult)
- £7.00
- Entry fee (child)
- £4.00
- Membership required
- No
- Hides
- 7
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
- Car park
- Yes
- Car park to hides
- 250m via the footbridge to the heated observatory
- Toilets
- Yes
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Status
- open
- Best seasons
- winter
Species by season
| Season | Species | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| spring | Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) | common | — |
| winter | Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) | frequent | — |
| winter | Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) | common | Thousands roost on the washes |
Getting there
Welney, Norfolk, PE14 9TN
View on OpenStreetMap · Official website
Facilities & opening
9:30am–5pm; floodlit swan feeds November–February
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Information last updated 25 July 2026.
Bird Places