WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is hitting a major milestone this November 2026, as the centre turns 80 years old – and it's offering free admission on the big day to celebrate.
As well as being a popular family attraction for the county, attracting over 250,000 visitors per year, Slimbridge provides over 800 acres of internationally important wetland habitat on the banks of the River Severn near Stroud.
It was founded by pioneering British conservationist Sir Peter Scott in 1946 as a centre of science and conservation, alongside the wider WWT charity, and was unique at the time for allowing the public access.
Described by Sir David Attenborough as 'the patron saint of conservation', with his understanding that people and nature form part of the same ecosystem, Peter believed that allowing people to get closer to nature and develop a connection to it would encourage them to fight to conserve it.
In the 80 years since Slimbridge opened, the WWT has created 10 wetland sites across the UK, protected thousands of hectares of these unique habitats across the world, and inspired a whole new generation of wetland champions – with its latest projects including supporting Bristol to become the UK's first Wetland City by creating a groundbreaking urban wetland, and restoring 148 hectares of saltmarsh on the Awre peninsula in the Forest of Dean.
With a particular fondness for migratory geese, Sir Peter Scott is credited as being responsible for saving the Hawaiian nene from extinction, using conservation techniques still employed today.
He also loved the Bewick's swans, which continue to be a star attraction when they make the long journey from Arctic Russia to Slimbridge for the winter each November.
Visitor experience manager at Slimbridge, Charlotte Stokes, said: 'Sir Peter Scott’s vision was always to protect nature, and find ways to bring people closer to it. And in that spirit, we’re delighted to be offering free admission to the centre for our birthday.
'Scott’s philosophy of creating a world where healthy nature thrives and enriches all of our lives is carried forward in all of our work today at WWT Slimbridge.
'We’re inviting visitors, both frequent and new, to learn more about our founder and the journey of WWT Slimbridge over the past eight decades, as we look towards a bright, thriving future.'
Slimbridge Wetland Centre celebrates its 80th anniversary on Tuesday 10 November 2026, when admission will be free to all visitors, all day.
Visitors can claim up to six free tickets each. To find out more, and book tickets in advance, visit wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/celebrating-80-years-of-wwt-slimbridge.
