London Wetland Centre, Barnes

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Client Berkeley Homes, Thames Water, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Stage Complete

Programme 1994 - 2000

Client Berkeley Homes, Thames Water, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Stage Complete

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.

In 2020, the London Wetland Centre celebrated its 20^th 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.

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.

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