London Wetland Centre turns 20 today

Published on 26 May 2020

One of JTP’s earliest projects, a pioneering reserve by conservation charity Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), to bring threatened wetland wildlife to the heart of London, celebrates its 20^th anniversary.

London Wetland Centre, a beautiful network of shallow pools and wetland meadows for birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects, opened its doors to the public in 2000. At the time it was the largest man-made wetland in any capital city of the world, attracting both wildlife and people.

Today, the reserve in Barnes is an ecological oasis, teeming with biodiversity, boasting 2,399 wildlife species, across 47 hectares of land. David Attenborough, who opened the reserve, called it ‘London’s extra lung’.

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The London Wetland Centre demonstrates how quickly wildlife can bounce back when given the chance. Thankfully, other countries with built up cities have taken notice and now the London Wetland Centre has become a blueprint for urban wetlands around the world.

Kevin Peberdy, Chief Operating Officer at WWT

The London Wetland Centre was built from four disused Victorian Thames Water reservoirs. In 1995 the reservoirs were broken up and 500,000 cubic metres of soil sorted and remixed. During the next five years over 300,000 water plants, 8000 wild flowers and 27,000 trees were planted by hand. 600m of boardwalk and 3.4km of pathway were laid before the centre opened on 26 May 2000.

Within two years of opening, London Wetland Centre was awarded Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, owing to the emergence of an impressive number of wintering shoveler and gadwall ducks. The creation of the London Wetland Centre has reversed the fortunes of many wetland species in the area while providing residents a place to escape the pace of city life.

Early sketches of London Wetland Centre from JTP

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This is one of JTP’s most iconic projects and resonates with the values we’ve built our practice on. This 20 year milestone is all the more poignant as, around the world, society struggles with a global pandemic, giving us an opportunity to reflect on how we can re-examine our relationship to the natural world and how important it is for us to work together in building a future that allows the natural world to thrive.

Marcus Adams, Managing Partner at JTP

The project was completed in partnership with Berkeley Homes and Thames Water. Due to current restrictions, the site is currently being maintained by a skeleton staff, but plans are underway for a safe, gradual re-opening when the Government gives the go-ahead.

Please visit wwt.org.uk/london for more information.

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London Wetland Centre,
London, UK

One-off Building
Stage: Completed