What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

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WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

WWT Martin Mere is a visitor centre open all year. Come and see the power of wetlands for yourself.
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WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is a wetland nature reserve and visitor attraction in Burscough, Lancashire. Open 364 days a year, our family-friendly site offers visitors of all ages and abilities a host of unforgettable and accessible wildlife encounters and beautiful scenery whatever the weather. Established since 1975, every season brings a host of wild experiences from the autumn goose spectac

ular when 40,000 pink-footed geese will roost on the reserve, the winter swan spectacular when up to 2000 whooper swans will feed everyday on the mere, to the spring new life as ducklings, goslings, chicks and cygnets spring up and the summer flora, forna and insects; meaning no two visits are the same. Supported by dedicated and knowledgeable staff and enthusiastic volunteers, we are committed to offering the best possible experience for our visitors. In addition to wildlife spotting, there is a canoe safari and boat tours, pond dipping activities, den building, a selection of daily talks including an otter talk and feed, hand feeding birds from around the world in our collection and the option to lose yourself in nature on our wild walks. Everyone from bird enthusiasts and animal lovers to school groups and families looking for a wild adventure can find something to enjoy here at WWT Martin Mere – it’s the perfect place to get closer to nature!

28/08/2026

Beautiful marble-effect feathers? Yep, this bird of the month is our marbled teal!

Learn more about these wonderful birds with our Living Collection Wardens Jess and Megan!

27/08/2026

Last week our Living Collection team completed a health check on our white storks.

This consisted of gathering the storks and holding them to be examined by a vet. We did a general health check including their eyes to make sure they're nice and healthy.

We also took some samples from our youngest storks which will be sent off for testing to determine whether they are male or female.

26/08/2026

Happy birthday to Kenai, our male otter!

Today Kenai is celebrating his 9th birthday with treats, new toys, playing with his favourite pebble, and plenty of cuddling time with our female otter, Penny.

Thanks to those who visited us today and stopped by to wish him happy birthday!

24/08/2026

Circus Skill this upcoming bank holiday weekend 🎪

Test your balancing skills with plate spinning, have a go at juggling, and show off your aerial tricks with diablo.

Included in your admission tickets or membership, drop in near our café from 11am - 4pm, hosted by Andy Jester from Usefool aka Jesters

29, 30, 31 August. Find out more: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/whats-on/events/circus-skills

21/08/2026

Enter our 2026 photography competition! 🦢

Our photography competition is now open with the theme of migratory wildlife, as part of our brand new Goosefest event.

From a skein of pink-footed geese to whooper swans on the water, show us your favourite migration moments at Martin Mere!

Entries close 18 October, so there's plenty of time to visit Goosefest (5 Sept–18 Oct) and capture the perfect shot, if you don't already have any!

Find out more on our Goosefest line-up: https://ow.ly/Iqos50ZAkFa

20/08/2026

Challenge: Can you count how many geese are in this picture?

Our reserve team keep track of pink-footed geese numbers when they start to arrive in the autumn. There can be tens of thousands at one time, and one of the most common questions we get asked is, how do we count them?

As part of our new Goosefest celebrations, we're hosting our very first 'how to count geese' workshops. Included as part of your admission tickets or membership, you can book these via our website: https://ow.ly/ZyxE50ZwAiF

Photo from a previous year

19/08/2026

EXCITING - The first pink-footed geese have arrived!

On Monday 17 August our reserve team recorded 13 pink footed geese flying over. It may not be many, but it's a sign that autumn is approaching and that we can expect more within the next few weeks!

Usually pink-footed geese start to arrive late August to early September, and although this is a bit early, it isn't the earliest we've seen. Checking our records we had a flock arrive on 16th August in 2016.

PS - We've got a line-up of events and activities to celebrate their arrival with our brand new Goosefest. Take a look here: https://ow.ly/CVnK50ZBmxR

15/08/2026

We cannot wait to hear this sound again 🎶

Autumn is almost here, which means the pink-footed geese will soon return with one of the most iconic sounds of Lancashire. Who else is excited?

This year, we’re celebrating with our brand-new Goosefest, bringing back favourites including Late Night Openings and the North West Bird Watching Festival, alongside new experiences such as our How to Count Geese workshops.

Take a look at our line-up, starting 5 September: https://ow.ly/GGT750Zyy2c

11/08/2026

🦽 Did you know our sunken walkway is accessible for manual wheelchairs?

The sunken walkway is one of our newer features where visitors can go through the water (around 6cm deep), and was built with accessibility in mind.

At different points you'll find small stepping stones across the sunken walkway, which is separated perfectly for manual wheelchairs to pass through.

Find out more about our accessibility on our website: https://ow.ly/xCI250Zyw9e

07/08/2026

Ever seen a smew get the zoomies?

As diving ducks, swimming and diving are natural behaviours for these smew ducklings, so this shallow tub provides them with enrichment and helps them to develop their diving skills ready for their adult life!

Thanks to Jess in our Living Collection team for this video!

Address

Fish Lane
Ormskirk
L400TA

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/

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