WWT Arundel Wetland Centre has wildlife hides and café indoor seating re-opening on 17 May 2021

Nature lovers will once again be able to view wildlife from inside the popular wildlife hides at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre when government restrictions on closing indoor areas are lifted on 17 May.

Indoor seating for counter service from the Water’s Edge Cafe will also be re-opening, giving visitors the full wetland centre experience for the first time since last summer. At Arundel this includes reopening eight wildlife hides and the indoor visitor centre. Social distancing and other guidelines to keep everyone safe will be observed across the site in all areas, including inside the hides. On May 29 family pond dipping session will reopen at the Raised Pond for the summer half term (May 29-June 6).

Bookings for WWT Arundel can be made on the centre’s website www.wwwt.org.uk/arundel. As numbers on site are still being restricted, all visitors are asked to pre-book tickets including those who visit for free such as members, children under four, and carers.

Tim McGregor, centre manager for WWT Arundel Wetland Centre said there was a wide range of hides at Arundel,  with something for everyone including families, photographers, keen birder-watchers or just anyone wanting to escape from the unpredictable British weather.

“We know how important the hides are to so many of our visitors and we can’t wait for people to return to them,” he said.

“As spring turns to summer, this is a fantastic time of the year to spot birds and other animals like nesting sand martins and kingfishers and our hides offer stunning close-up viewing opportunities as well as some of the best chances to get great wildlife shots.

“We have traditional wooden hides looking out onto views crammed with wildlife, larger discovery hides with comfortable seating and heating, hides with viewing equipment and books to help beginners and of course our Sand martin hide with artificial nesting banks attached putting you in the centre of this small colony.”

The hides are particularly loved by photographers who use them to capture breath-taking wildlife spectacles including courtship rituals, feeding young and preening. The water-side hides offer a variety of shot levels and close up opportunities, and some with a selection of bird watching equipment, to take advantage of the action right in front of your eyes.

The indoor seating area for Arundel’s Waters Edge Café’s counter service will also re-open on 17 May, offering a selection of tasty hot and cold food, snacks, cakes and pastries, drinks and ice-cream to help fuel visitors on their wetland adventure. The ice cream van near the boat jetty will be open weekends and holidays.

To find out more and book tickets please visit wwt.org.uk/Arundel