Urban Oasis: The London Wetland Centre
In the leafy village of Barnes is the London Wetland Centre, home to 100 acres of wildlife parkland on a former Victorian reservoir.
One of my fellow mom friends recommended the London Wetland Centre as a nice family day out. With the gorgeous spring weather, we made a jaunt out to southwest London to visit the London Wetland Centre.
Despite living in Clapham Common for five years, we have never been to Barnes. This pint-size village is often overlooked in favour of the well-known affluent riverside village of Richmond. Stepping out at Barnes Bridge station, the river is just a stone’s throw away. A short distance takes you to the High Street. Here is a perfect mix of pubs, restaurants, independent cafes and boutiques, pet shops, butchers and green grocers. The ultra cool TotallySwedish offers a slice of Sweden offering everything from Nordic delicatessen to chic Scandi-inspired home goods. Olympic Studios, an independent cinema with a cafe was heaving with people enjoying the glorious sun and cherry blossom.
An Urban Oasis in London: The Wetland Centre
Residents living in Barnes not only have access to the river, but also an abundance of green space. From Barnes Green to Barnes Common and Leg O Mutton, there is plenty of green space for leisurely family walks or a game of football. Of course, beautiful Richmond Park is just a short hop away in case you want to go deer-spotting.
On the edge of Barnes, the London Wetland Centre is perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. We make our way towards the “World Wetlands” and the “Wildside” via a network of pram-friendly footpaths. Within the marsh lands and meadows, there are some 180 species of birds here at the London Wetland Centre. We love being in nature and enjoy the tranquillity of this protected nature reserve. Scattered around the parkland are six hides for some serious bird-spotting and wildlife photography. We are amateurs at both, but that didn’t stop our adventurous daughter from using her pint-size binoculars at various lookout points.
EXPLORE: Adventure Playground
There is a wonderful adventure area for young children on the southeast side of the nature reserve. Children can explore various play structures including tunnels, zip lines, balance beam, slides, and climbing walls. In the summer months, children can enjoy the water features such as the shower fountain and water tray. Lady Yeya spent hours exploring every nook and cranny at this adventure playground. If the weather was just a few degrees warmer, she may even get under the fountain.
Meet the Resident Otters: Tod and Honey
Like Battersea Children’s Zoo, the London Wetland Centre has two resident Asian small-clawed otters, Tod and Honey. Being animal lovers, we couldn’t leave the London Wetland Centre without watching the otter’s feeding session of prawns and fish. Unfortunately, the Asian small-clawed otters are at risk of extinction due to illegal poaching and disruption to their natural habitat. But here at the London Wetland Centre, Tod and Honey live a good life.
Of course, no family outing will be complete without some ice cream to end a wonderful family day out. Barnes Pantry is a perfect place to pick up some refreshments to enjoy at the nearby Barnes Green. For nature lovers and avid bird-watchers, the London Wetland Centre will not disappoint. We are happy to make the short trip to the leafy corner of Barnes.
