Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
Explore the wetlands and its wildlife throughout the year, using our self-guided resources.
In winter learn about migratory birds at our daily wild swan feeds and witness thousands of barnacle geese, ducks and waders on the reserve. In summer investigate different ecosystems by pond dipping in our paddock ponds and bug hunting out on our wildflower meadow.
What teachers say
"Fantastic - would highly recommend it and would bring my own children."
Lucy Loughran, Maben School House
Prices
All our prices include full access to our centre for the day, so you and your pupils can enjoy all that we have to offer.
| Session type | Pre-school | P1-P6 | S1-S5 | S6+ | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self guided visit | £3.94 | £3.94 | £3.94 | £5.87 | £6.88 |
Free adult ratios
We offer free entry to adults within the following ratios, and free entry to all essential carers.
1:2 - Pre-school
1:5 - P1-P3
1:10 - P4-P7
1:15 - S1+
Minimum numbers of pupils
Self-guided groups have no minimum or maximum number.
Sample Itinerary
Arrival
We'll meet you on arrival at the Visitor Centre and guide you to your base for the day. There you'll have time to use the toilets and space to eat a snack before you start your self-guided visit.
Self-guided learning session: Pond dipping
Use pond nets, trays and guides to catch and identify the fascinating creatures that live in our freshwater ponds in the Paddock.
Self-guided learning session: Bug hunting
Use the map to find the Walk on the Wildside, where you can explore the wildflower meadow to find butterflies, dragonflies and all kinds of bugs and beetles.
Lunch
Have lunch in our covered picnic area, near the toilets and the visitor centre, where you can check on the osprey family live on the web cam.
Self-guided learning session: Farmhouse Tower
Climb the Farmhouse Tower to see the expanse of the Solway Firth with its mudflats and saltmarsh. Watch the house martins swooping into their mud nests around the top of the tower and use the huge binoculars to look for birds and other wildlife.
Added extras
Extra equipment available
In addition to the self-guided resources provided at other Centres (web link to self-guided section), we have a range of equipment that schools are free to use during their visit. This includes binoculars, microscopes, bug pots, magnifying glasses, FSC identification guides, soft toys and a migration map.
Cost: FREE
Daily swan feeds
There are swan feeds with a live commentary at 11am and 2pm. These are open to the general public but schools are welcomed. The swan feeds take place daily, October to March.
Cost: FREE
Farmhouse Tower
Look through the giant binoculars and count our barnacle geese!
Cost: FREE
Wildlife garden
With its own Bug B&B, perfect for pollinators area and log piles this is a great area for children to explore looking for minibeasts including frogs, toads, newts, beetles, worms and slugs!
Cost: FREE
Paddock
Our new paddock area has 3 ponds with dipping platforms and a wild walk. Come along and immerse yourself in nature. Find newts lurking in the pond and dragonflies and damselflies dancing around the pond edges.
Cost: FREE
Walk on the wild side
Take a ‘walk on the wild side’ and look for wild flowers, insects such as bees, butterflies and dragonflies, and birds such as swallows and skylarks.
Cost: FREE
Gift shop
Do your learners want to take home a keepsake? We have plenty of fun items for sale from 50p upwards.
Cost: varied
Live cameras
Come and view our live webcam in the centre, with our growing osprey family on their nest in the summer and whooper swans, mute swans and ducks on the whooper pond during the winter.
Cost: FREE
Learning map and guide
Download the learning map and guide for WWT Caerlaverock. See all the facilities and fun things to see on your trip.
Contact us
Speak to one of our Learning team today at WWT Caerlaverock to book your visit or find out further details.