WWT Slimbridge wins Gold Accreditation from VisitEngland

Slimbridge Wetland Centre are extremely pleased to have won a Gold Accreditation from VisitEngland, an award that is only handed out to a select few visitor attractions across the country. 

2021 has been a year of celebrations as Slimbridge turns 75 years old, as well as marking the completion of the Slimbridge 75 project. Slimbridge have recently won ‘Family Day Out Venue of the Year’ in the SoGlos Awards, along with ‘Best Family Attraction’ in the Worcestershire and Gloucestershire Muddy Stilettos Awards. Now to top it off the wetland centre in Gloucestershire, are delighted to have won a VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Gold Accolade.

In September Slimbridge scored 96% in the VAQAS (VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction) assessment, improving on previous high scores with a 1% increase from the 2019 assessment. This meant that Slimbridge became eligible to be nominated for the VisitEngland Gold Accolade.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: I’m so pleased to see our visitor attractions back in the spotlight with these Accolades that recognise the amazing experiences available across the country. They also acknowledge the people who bring the attractions to life through their unparalleled customer service. They are the ones who make an attraction the most ‘welcoming’ and give life to the ‘Best Told Story’ whilst the quality of the attractions themselves are rewarded with ‘Quality Food and Drink’ and ‘Hidden Gem’ and of course ‘Gold’ for best all-rounders. Now more than ever we need these attractions to encourage and remind us to get out and explore the amazing tourism on offer across England, driving recovery and economic benefits through the regions.

Introduced by VisitEngland in 2014, the Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to members of the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme who represent a wide range of tourism experiences across England, from museums and galleries, farm attractions, historic houses and gardens to churches, cathedrals and country parks. They are supported by a network of highly trained and experienced assessors who advise on improving and promoting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of their offer.
VisitEngland were highly impressed by Slimbridge's staff and volunteers as well as their new exhibits including Mission Possible and the Living Wetland Theatre and Waterscapes Aviary. The assessor was furthermore impressed by their new app – Wetland Heroes, which they felt was entertaining and informative. They also commented that the expanding visitor offer helped to both educate and entertain visitors and that for Slimbridge’s assessment scores to be consistently high (and especially so during the Covid restrictions), means a huge congratulations are in order for the entire team.

Gary Haseley-Nejrup, Slimbridge General Manager explained: “Six years ago Slimbridge was scoring 84% on its VisitEngland assessment. When you compare this to the 96% we scored this year, you realise what a massive achievement this is and how far we have come as a centre of excellence. 

This achievement reflects everyone’s hard work, not just at the centre but also our colleagues in HQ, the dedication of the 2020 project teams, the site teams in delivering an exceptional clean, safe and welcoming environment and the investment in our visitor engagement.  I would personally like to thank each and every one of you for your support in moving the centre forward to achieve such results.”