WWT Washington Wetland Centre

About WWT Washington Wetland Centre

WWT Washington is a wetland nature reserve run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust on the north bank of the River Wear at Pattinson. It first opened on 29 May 1975 as Washington Wildfowl Park and marked its 50th anniversary in 2025. The site is known for its naturally established heronry, and the Trust runs conservation work here including the Willow Tit Project.

Visitors can watch wildlife from a series of bird hides and follow paths through Spring Gill, Hollow Wood, North Wood and Hawthorn Wood. There are walk-through exhibits, adventure play areas and Asian short-clawed otters. The centre has moved to seasonal opening and is currently open Friday to Sunday and closed Monday to Thursday, so check the WWT opening times page before you travel. Seasonal events run through the autumn and Christmas holidays.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature WWT Washington Wetland Centre.

Washington Old Hall and George Washington: The Wearside Roots of a President

How a medieval Wearside family gave its name to Washington and to America's first president, how the Old Hall was saved in the 1930s, and what you can see there today.

Nissan Sunderland: 40 Years of the Car Plant on the Old Airfield

The story of Nissan's Sunderland plant, from the 1984 agreement and the first Bluebird in 1986 to the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF built there today and the EV36Zero battery and renewables hub.

Best Hotels in Sunderland

Where to stay in Sunderland, from seafront hotels at Roker and Seaburn to city-centre budget rooms, a hotel beside the Stadium of Light and a golf and spa hotel in Washington.

Meditation and Mindfulness in Sunderland

Where to learn meditation and mindfulness in Sunderland, from studio classes at Sunderland Enterprise Park and Ashbrooke to NHS support, local mental health charities and quiet places to practise.

Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in Sunderland

Holiday courses, beaches, country parks, wetlands, watersports and the Summer Reading Challenge: ways to fill the six-week break in Sunderland.

Family Activities in Sunderland: Days Out, Indoor Fun and Weekly Clubs

Beaches, country parks, wetlands, castles, climbing, swimming and soft play: a family guide to Sunderland, with links to our detailed guides for each.

Parks and Green Spaces in Sunderland

Sunderland's parks, country parks and nature reserves, from Mowbray Park and Barnes Park in the city to Herrington, Hetton Lyons, Rainton Meadows and the Washington riverside.

Walks in Sunderland: Coast, River and Countryside Routes

Walks in and around Sunderland, from the Roker to Seaburn coast path and the River Wear to Penshaw Monument, Tunstall Hills, Rainton Meadows and the end of the C2C.

Playgrounds and Play Parks in Sunderland

Where to find playgrounds in Sunderland's parks, from Mowbray Park in the city centre to Roker, Barnes Park, Herrington and Hetton Lyons, with tips on combining a play stop with a day out.

Free Things to Do in Sunderland

Beaches and Roker Pier, Penshaw Monument, city parks, Culture House, Hylton Castle's grounds and the Fans Museum: free things to do in Sunderland that cost nothing to enjoy.

Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park

A guide to Penshaw Monument, the 1844 Greek-temple folly on Penshaw Hill, and Herrington Country Park below it: history, the Lambton Worm, walks, parking and nearby visits.

Upcoming Events

Events that feature or are connected to WWT Washington Wetland Centre.

Past Events

Recent events connected to WWT Washington Wetland Centre.