WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre wins gold and silver awards in Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2021

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is delighted to have won gold in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award and silver in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards for 2021.

Slimbridge applied for the awards back in 2021 and in January 2022 were announced as finalists in both categories. On 17 February more than a hundred businesses took part in an online awards ceremony. Slimbridge were crowned winners in the Accessible and Inclusive category by sponsors Visit South Somerset and given a silver award for Largest Visitor Attraction of the Year by sponsors Love to Visit, with gold being awarded to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.

Nell Barrington, awards organiser and co-host for the day, said “I was so moved to hear about the amazing things these businesses had done to welcome visitors and care for their staff during this particularly difficult time.  Congratulations to everyone and I truly hope that you all have a great season and also have time to celebrate your success.”

This was the first time Slimbridge had applied for the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Awards and are absolutely delighted to have been successful in both the categories they had applied for. Slimbridge were particularly excited to have won these awards at this time as 2021 was an important year for the visitor attraction as it marked its 75^th anniversary and saw the completion of their Slimbridge 75 project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Winning gold in the Accessible and Inclusive category was a massive achievement for Slimbridge as all of WWT’s wetland centres exist to fulfil founder Peter Scott’s vision of connecting people with nature, and aim for their wetlands and wildlife to be accessible to everyone. The award recognises that Slimbridge provide a truly memorable visitor experience for everyone - particularly those with accessibility requirements, and demonstrate excellence across every aspect of their business. Slimbridge provides enhanced facilities for everyone, with accessibility highlights including their wheelchair-friendly Wild Safaris for wider access to the 800 acres reserve, the fully-accessible Estuary Tower Hide and the Summer Walkway and viewing platform, with access to the banks of the Severn Estuary.

Fran Penny, Visitor Experience Manager for Slimbridge explained: “We are thrilled to have won both a gold and a silver award in the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Awards especially after such a milestone year for the centre. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve these awards without the amazing support of our staff, volunteers and all our members and visitors.

As winners of the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Awards, Slimbridge will also have the opportunity to be nominated for the national Visit England awards later in the year – so wish us luck!”