# WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, Dumfries — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > Discover diverse birdlife and stunning wetland habitats along family-friendly trails at this Scottish nature reserve, complete with viewing hides, accessible paths and refreshment facilities. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/attractions/wwt-caerlaverock-wetland-centre (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Nature Preserve # WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre East Park Farm, Caerlaverock [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=13641980511573938198&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Lorna Lomas](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/117982068251750684513) **In short:** WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is a nature preserve in Dumfries, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 330 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre Discover diverse birdlife and stunning wetland habitats along family-friendly trails at this Scottish nature reserve, complete with viewing hides, accessible paths and refreshment facilities. ## Good to know ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance ### Payment - ✓Credit cards - ✓Debit cards - ✓Contactless Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## Facilities Toilets Free Wifi Gift Shop Accessible Toilets Baby Changing Wheelchair Hire Wheelchair Friendly Pushchair Friendly ## Opening hours **Monday** Closed **Tuesday** Closed **Wednesday** Closed **Thursday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Friday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Saturday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Sunday** Closed Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours. ## What visitors say [Alan Bradshaw](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/112683919274425177696/reviews) ★★★★★ This is an amazing place to see over wintering wildfowl, including Whooper Swans and Barnacle Geese. There isn't a cafe, but they have a machine and some cakes for sale. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. A couple of things to be aware of. It's expensive to get in, so worth a longer visit. They feed the swans at 1pm and one of the keepers gives a talk before doing so. Kids love this and there are great opportunities to record video and take pictures. There are a number of hides and other sites with a range of habitats, so brilliant for birdwatching. You can visit the national nature reserve via a different car park and a walk through muddy paths and fields. This reserve is free and has wooden paths you can use through the reeds. There are also hides on the free reserve. Directions and helpful signs just aren't there which is unhelpful and disappointing when very cheap low tech signage could have made a difference. Overall, the Solway Firth is an incredible, beautiful place to visit, and largely unspoilt. · via Google [Willow Tkw](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114467476745685483269/reviews) ★★★★★ A fabulous day out on the reserve as a celebration treat. I've been a few times before when visiting from down south. Now I live up north, and I need to make more of an effort. The centre is signposted from the A75 to Dumfries. The roads do get narrower and windier as you get closer and don't panic. You've not driven into a dairy. Keep going and hang a left once through the centre gateway to the car park. The weather here can be wild as it's literally on the Scottish side of the Solway Coast. So before you're out of the car, you might wanna be getting the waterproofs and boots on, even in the summer. We do get sunshine occasionally mind. Out of the many WWT Centres I've been to, I would describe Caerlaverock as primitive in its facilities, like the one at Welney back in the day. Don't let the fact that there's not a swanky café/restaurant deter you, pack your flask and sarnies!!! There's a lovely indoor area to sit and eat them, along with an outdoor space with reserve viewing. There are accessible facilities here, and the Peter Scott Observatory has a lift to the upper floor. Super helpful staff, too The weather was totally northern, wet, windy, and grey, although not particularly cold on our early October visit. Boots and waterproofs on, obligatory stop to use the facilities. Entrance of £4.50 per adult paid, site map in hand, sightings board checked, advised about ongoing works, and we're off. Straight to the Avenue Tower. We spent quite a bit of time here watching various groups of deer, including a lone stag and a doe with fawn. We worked our way back towards the Saltcot Merse Observatory, then towards the Peter Scott Observatory, then towards the Folly Pond Hide before finishing at the Farmhouse Tower. Caerlaverock is famous for its winter migratory Geese. If you can’t see them, you'll definitely hear them. The weather was well worth persevering with for 4.5 hours as our best sightings were Great White Egrets, a pair of Stonechat, Snow Geese, a leucistic goose, Perigrine Falcon, and a stunning male Hen Harrier. As a bonus for one of us, there are a few Pokemon Gyms here, and amongst the haul, we bagged a Psyduck in my honour. A thoroughly enjoyable and peaceful day reconnecting with nature. My soul is replenished. · via Google [M&C Reynolds](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/111125112652748763615/reviews) ★★★★★ Beautiful wetland environment for migrating geese and swans who overwinter on the Solway coast. Quieter in the summer months but sightings of osprey, barn owls and waders amongst others. Great selection of bird hides and towers. Small café and visitor centre with friendly staff. Peaceful and thoughtfully managed nature reserve. · via Google [Emma Telford](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/107598707892650198769/reviews) ★★★★★ Visited at the beginning on November, the reserve has lots of hides for dodging the great Scottish weather. When we visited there were 100s of swans and 1000s of geese which you could view in comfort from the viewing towers and hides. Swan feeding and talk at 1pm and the staff were lovely, there's a little cafe for hot drinks, soup and cake as well as a covered picnic area. We'll be back in another season to see what else the reserve has to offer. · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x487d3345c6a442f9:0xbd520cff392a9016!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Visitors say this nature preserve is a great place to watch swans, especially in the winter months when they are joined by geese. They also highlight the friendly staff and the opportunity to enjoy a warm cup of tea and cake while taking in the sights. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** Eastpark Farm, Dumfries, DG1 4RS [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=54.9761878%2C-3.4840992) **Category** National Parks & Reserves **Guest rating** 4.6 / 5 (330 reviews) **Suitable for** All Ages **Suggested visit** 2-3 hours **Setting** Outdoor **Good for children** Yes **Destination** Dumfries [More attractions in Dumfries](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/attractions) ★ 4.6 (330 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [01387 770200](tel:01387770200) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Dumfries **Postcode** DG1 4RS **Payment** Cards, Contactless **Plus Code** 9C6RXGG8+F9 [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x487d3345c6a442f9:0xbd520cff392a9016!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487d3345c6a442f9:0xbd520cff392a9016!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487d3345c6a442f9:0xbd520cff392a9016!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Dumfries Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DDumfries%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre? WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is open Mon–Wed closed; Thu–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun closed (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre any good? WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 330 Google reviews. ### Is WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre good for children? Yes, WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is listed as good for children. ### How long do you need at WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre? Allow two to three hours. ### Is WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre indoors or outdoors? WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is mainly outdoors. ### What ages is WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre suitable for? WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre suits all ages. ### Is WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre wheelchair accessible? WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. ### How do I contact WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre? Call WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre on +44 1387 770200. ## More near WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [The Farmers Inn ★ 4.5 · 3.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/hotels/the-farmers-inn) - [Hetland Hall Hotel ★ 4.6 · 4.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/hotels/hetland-hall-hotel) - [Kinmount Hotel ★ 4.4 · 5.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/hotels/kinmount-hotel) - [The Powfoot Golf Hotel ★ 4.6 · 5.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/annan/hotels/the-powfoot-golf-hotel) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Caerlaverock Cottages - Bankswood Cottage 0.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries-galloway/cottages/caerlaverock-cottages-bankswood-cottage-31292) - [The Curve at Caerlaverock Estate 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries-galloway/cottages/the-curve-at-caerlaverock-estate-uk7681) - [The Treehouse @ Caerlaverock ★ 5.0 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries-galloway/cottages/the-treehouse-caerlaverock-uk45028) - [Iona Cottage 3.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries-galloway/cottages/iona-cottage-cc537211) ### Campsites nearby - [Landis Farm Certificated Location ★ 5.0 · 4.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/camping/landis-farm-certificated-location) - [Criffel View Caravan Site ★ 5.0 · 5.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/new-abbey/camping/criffel-view-caravan-site) - [Moss-side Farm Certificated Location ★ 4.8 · 5.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries-galloway/camping/moss-side-farm-certificated-location) - [Kingan Farm Cottages ★ 5.0 · 5.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/camping/kingan-farm-cottages) ### Things to do nearby - [Caerlaverock Castle ★ 4.7 · 2.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/attractions/caerlaverock-castle) - [Dino Park ★ 4.5 · 4.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/attractions/dino-park) - [Mabie Farm Park ★ 4.7 · 7.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dumfries/attractions/mabie-farm-park) - [Real Fram Driving ★ 5.0 · 7.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/lockerbie/attractions/real-fram-driving)