Wetland Wonderland—a charming new Christmas tradition at WWT Slimbridge
Can you help the Slimbridge swans save Christmas? Join Waterlily the elf for a magical story-led experience in the wetlands.
Every Saturday and Sunday in December until Christmas, and Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd December 2026
New for 2026, Wetland Wonderland is a family experience coming to WWT Slimbridge this Christmas with storytime and trail, indoor festive market, Santa’s grotto, daily choirs, crafts and much more.
The story, How the Slimbridge swans save Christmas has been written especially for Wetland Wonderland and features Lottie the otter, Phoebe the flamingo, Gribit the Frog, Nibble the harvest mouse and Bettie the Bewick’s swan. The animals work together to help power Santa’s sleigh with childrens’ laughter. Visitors will hear Waterlily the elf tell the story in her enchanting library before heading on the trail around the wetlands. They will take with them a Little Book of Joy to find the characters in the book and their best cracker jokes. Along the way they will encounter and learn about the real-life animals from the story—including the Bewick’s swans who have flown over two thousand miles to WWT Slimbridge from Arctic Russia. Afterwards, children can head to the elf workshop to make a willow star tree-topper to take home.
Santa will be paying a special visit to WWT Slimbridge and visitors can meet him inside his twinkly grotto and receive a very special gift — Lottie the otter, straight from the Christmas story.
For the grown-ups the festive market will feature stalls by local artisans to browse for Christmas gifts and regional choirs have been invited to perform each day of Wetland Wonderland in the Swan Café.
Wetland Wonderland is included in admission along with access to the whole of WWT Slimbridge. Admission tickets from £17.91 per adult and £11.84 per child. Under 3s go free.
Santa’s grotto is an additional cost of £15 per child. Advance booking for this add-on experience is highly recommended. Book for Santa's Grotto here.
Dates Every Saturday and Sunday throughout December, plus Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd.
