Overview

London Wetland Centre


London, UK

Project type: One-off Building
Location: London, UK
Client: Berkeley Homes, Thames Water, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Stage: Completed
Programme: 1994–2000

The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) is a leading UK conservation organisation preserving wetlands and their wildlife.

Founder Sir Peter Scott’s ambition was to create a wetland centre in London.

In 1989 a site was identified in Barnes where four Victorian reservoirs had become redundant. WWT entered into a partnership with Thames Water, the reservoir owners, and Berkeley Homes who purchased 10 hectares of the site for residential development.

The scheme for the visitor centre and wetlands habitat was funded by the residential development. JTP were masterplanners for the residential scheme and architects for the visitor centre.

Since opening in 2000, the centre has become one of the most popular attractions in London, with nearly a quarter of a million visitors annually.

“
London Wetland Centre is the ideal model for how humankind and the natural world may live side by side in the 21st century.
Sir David Attenborough
“
Visions are terribly important, and it’s not just dreaming, it’s making those dreams happen!
Joanna Lumley, on the 20 year anniversary of the London Wetland Centre

Project Delivery

  • A visitor centre, constructed from sustainable materials, located at the public entrance to the wetlands.
  • Incorporation of exhibition and display spaces, a glass-walled observatory, lecture theatre, shop, gallery, restaurant and café within the visitor centre design.
  • Two and three storey hides set within the landscape, away from the main building.
  • Buildings of one and two storeys grouped around a landscaped central courtyard.
  • A rich variety of wetland species including birds, bees, bats and butterflies responding to the changing seasons.
  • A unique blend of conservation centre and visitor attraction, drawing in 220,000 visitors per year.


In 2020, the London Wetland Centre celebrated its 20th anniversary. Whilst the wetland wildlife was unaffected by the global pandemic, it caused us to reflect on our relationship with the environment and how important it is for us to work together in building a future that allows the human and natural world to thrive in harmony.

Awards

Countryfile Magazine Award 2012
Favourite Nature Reserve
The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2004
Heritage & Conservation Award – Winner
Tourism for Tomorrow 2000
Global Winner for Sustainable Tourism
Silver Unicorn Award, British Guild of Travel Writers for UK 2000
Best New Tourist Attraction
RICS Award for Regeneration 2000

Project type: One-off Building
Location: London, UK
Client: Berkeley Homes, Thames Water, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Stage: Completed
Programme: 1994–2000
Project Team
Eric Holding
Eric Holding
Strategic Projects
Debbie Radcliffe
Debbie Radcliffe
Consultant
Tags
Nature, Wildlife, Conservation, Sustainability, Tourism
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