Venue Description

WWT Martin Mere is where wilderness and family-friendliness combine. Spring and summer are fantastic times to visit the centre as new life develops allowing you to see the cute sights of ducklings, goslings, cygnets and chicks spring up around the reserve. Seasonal attractions include taking to the water and get a close encounter with nature on our award winning canoe safari and accessible boat tour experience, den building, see what creatures you can find on bug hunts and pond dipping sessions every weekend. But there is plenty to see and do at Martin Mere all year round, with more than 100 types of rare and endangered water-birds, a family of enchanting otters in residence, an imaginative playground for young adventurers, an inspirational eco-garden and a rolling programme of events, walks and talks. In autumn, up to 40,000 pink-footed geese use the reserve as a stopping point on their migration from Iceland providing a rare opportunity to see the display of thousands of geese whiffling over the mere. The geese are only with us a few weeks making this a must see attraction in October. In winter, many thousands of wild ducks, geese and swans are drawn to the internationally-rated wetlands, offering spectacular displays of feather and flight with an award winning experience called Swan Spectacular, watching thousands of swans feed everyday.

Accessibility

Text Relay number: 01704 892343 There is a push button to open the main entrance doors which is is 90cm above the ground and the door opens to a width of 118cm. Upon entry the admissions desk height is 74cm. The admissions area and whole building has level access. The exit doors back to the car park are automatic opening. Free wheelchairs are available at the centre and these can be requested on arrival. There is a mobility scooter available to book in advance by emailing info.martinmere@wwt.org.uk. There is a £10 charge for the mobility scooter. Sensory bags are available from the admissions desk with a £15 refundable deposit. These contain ear defenders, fidget toys, binoculars and bird tick lists. The building The building houses an exhibition hall, retail shop, lecture theatre and classrooms. There is a craft room that is open at the weekend and during holidays offering a range of free and paid crafts. Cushioned trays are available to request from the craft room for visitors in a wheelchair who would like to have a go at the crafts. All areas are accessible for wheelchair users. There are large windows in the main foyer and exhibition hall for ease of movement in building for visitors with a visual impairment. Our shop staff will be happy to assist anyone who is unable to reach the higher shelves. The retail payment point is 99cm in height with a lower option available at a height of 74cm. Mere Side Café The entrance and exit doors are controlled by push buttons that are 85cm above the ground. Menus are in large text on the walls in contrasting colours. Large print versions of the menu can be requested. Meals are ordered at the counter at a height of 90cm and the food is delivered to your table. Cash as well as card payments are accepted. There are a large number of baby chairs available as well as a microwave to heat up baby food, spare bowls and a bottle warmer. Free water is provided. Double handed mugs are available upon request for hot drinks. We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian and gluten free (celiacs) specific diets, although it is worth contacting the café in advance to inform us of any specific dietary requirements There are large windows along the right hand side of the café to assist with visitors who have a visual impairment. The table and plates have contrasting colours. There is an outdoor seating area overlooking swan lake. This is accessible via a sliding door in the café and has a non slip floor surface externally. Our café staff will be happy to assist anyone who needs support in carry trays, drinks and condiments. The Waterfowl Gardens The waterfowl gardens are all fully paved and accessible with benches at regular intervals as resting points. There are steel gates separating the themed waterfowl zones which are manually opened. Guided Boat Tours Guided boat tours are available from the canoe safari location. The boat can accommodate two wheelchairs. It is recommended to either pre-book your boat trip online or enquire on arrival as they do get fully booked in busy periods. We can offer an early boat tour at 10.30am upon request for a quieter session. The path leading to the boat tours is stoned. There is no minimum age for the boat tours. The minimum height for a child is 1m to go on the canoe safari and a large print health and safety briefing is available upon request. Boat tours close from November to March. The Nature Trail The nature trail is fully paved. It is not a circular loop. Most of our hides have lower windows to allow for wheelchair users to view the wildlife. Please refer to the accessibility guide for the heights of these windows as well as door widths and key accessible information. Some of the hides can appear to be dark upon entering. Morning Explorers: Relaxed times to visit the centre At Martin Mere, during mid-week term time, the centre is quiet enough to welcome anyone who may struggle with crowds or have a sensory overload – this includes people with autism and dementia. At the weekends we recommend visiting between 9.30am and 11.30am when the centre is more relaxed. There will be no queues at the entrance and the building and café will not be noisy. Activities during morning explorers: • Call in advance for your own guided boat tour, reserved specifically for children or adults with additional needs. The guided boat tours are 20 minutes in duration and the boat floats along at 3mph giving you the opportunity to get up close to nature. The boat tours are an additional £3.50 per seat. The boat tours run at 10.30am and 11am. The boat can accommodate 2 wheelchairs. The boat tours are only available from April to end of September. - At the weekends (term time) quiet pond dipping sessions are available from 10.45am to 11.15am

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/plan-your-visit/accessibility/

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/plan-your-visit/accessibility/

Accessible Performances

Daily otter talk and feeds at our otter enclosure which has low windows around base. Wild bird feeds over the winter from the Discovery hide, a heated hide with lower windows to view the wildlife and a commentated talk. Guided boat tours in Spring and Summer that can accommodate up to 2 wheelchairs. Guided walks around our bird collection

Awards List

VAQAS

Toilets

All our toilets have motion centred lighting installed. There are accessible toilets available in the following locations: • In Mere Side Café • Next to the play area • At the canoe safari (compost toilets) • On the nature trail opposite the Raines Observatory • Main corridor of the building: this includes an adjustable height-changing table and hoist. You will need your own sling to attach to the hoist. This toilet does not have a hand dryer.

Staff

All front of house staff have been trained in some basic sign language phrases to welcome you to the centre. We do have members of staff trained to BSL Level 1 and they are available to help you on request. Our staff and volunteers have also been trained by Guide Dogs UK to welcome people to our site with an eye condition. Some of our volunteers have been trained to guide you around the site, or provide an informative tour based on your needs so you can still experience our wetlands.

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

Water bowls are available on request for assisted dogs