WWT Martin Mere Reviews Summary

Visitor Experience

Pros:

• "Beautiful relaxing nature reserve, you could spend the whole day there feeding various birds, pond dipping and wandering around."
• "The birds are great to look at as well as using our binoculars out of the many hides at the back of the park."
• "There's tonnes to do: boat rides, walks, parks, picnics, building dens, learning about birds, crafts, watching talks/demonstrations, pond dipping."
• "On the open mere we watched mute swans, pink-footed geese, plovers, coots, moorhens, mallards and more."
• "A lovely reserve to visit, plenty of walking trails and very modern hides."
• "Wonderful place! The birds fly and roam free."
• "Great wildlife sanctuary, plenty to do for children, lots of interesting wildfowl with great viewing hides."

Cons:

• "However it did feel like we were encroaching on an attraction aimed at children and young families."
• "Some of the site was closed due to bird flu and the boats closed until April but we didn't feel we missed out."
• "It's not bad for the price but there isn't a massive amount to do unless you really like watching ducks."
• "I was a little sad that some of the pens of exotic ducks, geese and swans were nearly empty perhaps victims of bird flu?"
• "Only disappointments were that various birds were removed from their display areas due to bird flu, which is understandable, but it wasn't mentioned when booking tickets and paying full price."
• "We spent most of our time trying to get away from screams, children running around and chasing poor ducks."
• "Martin Mere is looking a little tired and in need of some TLC."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Very knowledgeable and helpful staff."
• "There is a really nice cafe on site and the staff were all really welcoming."
• "Staff were super helpful, lots of stuff to read and well mainted."
• "Welcoming staff on hand to answer your questions, and total immersion in nature, what's not to love?"
• "Staff were very friendly, I would definitely return we all had a lovely day."
• "Wow wow wow The team at Martin Mere are so welcoming such a brilliant place to visit."
• "Very lovely place with friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers."

Cons:

• "Staff looked at us but went passed the visitor centre giving the very clear impression that they didn't really want to be bothered with visitors."
• "There was also a rather rude (or should i say disrespectful) lady near the inside Welcome area who could have been more polite."
• "Only criticism is cafe. OMG. Soooo expensive, poor choice of food both hot & cold and very average service."
• "The activities for the toddler group could have been better."
• "The only disappointment, in my eyes, is the cafe, which is expensive and often crowded, with long queues for overpriced food."
• "Rest of the staff were really great."
• "Staff are friendly and helpful and will approach you and speak to you."

Accessibility

Pros:

• "Mostly wheelchair accessible."
• "It is good value for the size, with free carers and discounts available for students, pensioners, and unemployed."
• "Paths are tarmac and suited to wheelchairs and also elderly who are concerned with uneven paths."
• "The site is well suited for disabled guests too and is accessible in most areas for wheelchair users."
• "Recently installed a changing place toilet with adult changing table and hoist."
• "The whole place was truly wheelchair accessible, and there is a fully functioning changing place."
• "The site is accessible (there are small wild areas that may not accommodate pushchairs or wheelchairs). The trails are paved and there are plenty of benches dotted around."

Cons:

• "Some of the gates are quite heavy for a wheelchair user to operate."
• "A bit too expensive in my opinion and the playground is next to the car park which is not great."
• "Paths a bit rough for wheelchairs in places although advertised ad wheelchair accessible."
• "Just a note that if you have allergens (eg gluten and diary) the cafe doesn't cater at all for you so you would be advised to bring your own food/picnic."
• "It's still very noticeable how few birds there are compared to visits a few years ago."
• "There were some push-wheelchairs available to borrow for free."
• "This venue is suitable for wheelchairs."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "With a family pass at only £6 a month its fantastic - we go at least once a week and spend afternoons strolling round."
• "If you become a member it is excellent value for money for multiple visits."
• "If you're not already a member.... you should be. The savings you make is worth it and you are also supporting a worthy cause."
• "Entry price fair, parking free."
• "We have a membership which works out at around £7 a month."
• "Would recommend you buy an annual pass it's good value for money and I'm sure once you have been you will want to return."
• "Thoroughly enjoyed the canoeing, for £10 for the hour it was great value and we all loved it."

Cons:

• "Family ticket a little overpriced but they are encouraging you to take the WWT membership subscription and get your ticket cost refunded."
• "Food/drink here is expensive as you would expect at these kind of places so no harm there."
• "The cafe was quite expensive but you expect that at places like this."
• "Expensive to get in, nearly 16 pound for a adult."
• "It's a little on the expensive side for a one-off visit, but it does help support and look after the birds and otters."
• "It is quite expensive for a family of 3 to go, around £23 This was booking online and getting a 10% discount too."
• "My main gripe is how expensive it is."