If you’re looking for a fun day out over the school summer holidays, the WWT London Wetland Centre is running its first Dragonfly Festival from 18 July to 31 August.
The 105-acre reserve has something laid on every day from 10am to 5.30pm (last entry 4.30pm). There is pond dipping, a splash pad water-play area, and a rotating programme of storytelling, puppet shows and craft workshops on specific dates through the holidays, alongside dragonflies themselves, insects that have been flying for roughly 300 million years, well before the first dinosaurs existed.
Lots of types of dragonfly
WWT London is an officially designated British Dragonfly Society “Dragonfly Hotspot”, and rangers have already been logging the different species on site.
“We’ve already spotted 14 species of dragonfly and damselfly at WWT London this season, including a Red-veined Darter, which is an unusual and exciting visitor to the site,” said Alexia Hollinshead, general manager at WWT London. “Dragonfly Festival is all about helping families get closer to nature, discover the magic of wetlands and enjoy a different outdoor adventure every time they visit.”
Daily activities need no booking. The dated events do: Professor Slug’s Bugs (18-19 July), Insect Circus (25-26 July), Monday storytelling sessions with Olivia Armstrong, Friday arts and crafts, a dragonfly wing-making workshop on 29 July, and further one-off dates through August. Full listings are on WWT’s website.
A working reserve, not just an attraction
WWT London is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with six hides for wildlife-watching and flat, accessible paths across the reserve. It also has adorable otters and the cafe is a relaxing spot to sit in the sun. Entry fees go towards WWT’s wetland restoration work.
Tickets start from £16 for adults and £45 for a family, with free entry for WWT members and under-3s. Parking is free, with eight accessible bays and one for electric vehicle charging. Dogs are not permitted, except assistance dogs. Bring swimwear and a towel if the splash pad is on the agenda.
