Top 10 things to do this summer at Martin Mere near Southport
Looking for a fantastic family day out this summer holidays? Join us from 20 July and see wetland stars like fabulous flamingos, wonderful white storks, and incredible Inca terns and have a jammed-packed day full of fun activities. We’ve put together a list of our top 10 recommendations - take a look!
1. Mere tun village
During the summer holidays, get an exclusive look into our Mere Tun village and see how wetlands were used throughout the ages. Find out more about how materials were used to create roundhouse villages and something we’re really excited about - defend the village with our weapons training sessions!
Cost: free
Dates: Daily, 12:00 - 15:00
2. GIANT LEGO© Sculptures
See if you can find all 15 of our exclusively designed GIANT LEGO© brick animals! There are amazing sculptures like our large North American river otter, a Hawaiian goose (the world’s rarest goose!), a giant kingfisher, frog, flamingo and more! Over 250,000 LEGO© bricks were used to make the wetland characters, which took over 1,500 hours to make!
Cost: free
3. Pond dipping
There’s lots to discover in our Pond Zone, water boatmen, diving beetles, snails, and maybe even newts! Our volunteer-led sessions are available for no extra cost.
Cost: free
Dates: Daily, 13:30 - 15:00
4. Wild Walk
It’s the place to let your kids run wild - take a visit to our Wild Walk and explore our brand new adventure play area. Meander through a maze of wetland tracks, and see what creatures you can find in one of the world’s largest bug hotels.
During the summer holidays, go foraging in Wild Walk as part of our Drawn to Water activity booklet! Find reed, water mint, wild marjoram and more.
Cost: free
5. Drawn to Water seasonal highlights
Reimagine the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eyes of the UK’s best-loved illustrator. Collect an illustrated guide full of Quentin Blake’s drawings and journey around our wonderful wetland world this summer.
Cost: free
6. Guided boat tour
Learn about amazing wetlands with our guided boat tour. Whether you’re a nature lover, or looking to unwind and relax, these informative boat tours will delve into the history of Martin Mere and the wetland species you can find here.
Want a quieter session? Please call our team in advance and we may be able to run an earlier session at 10:30 (based on availability). Boat tours can accommodate two wheelchairs and carers go free.
Cost: £3 per seat, advanced booking recommended
Time: Daily, run hourly from 11:00
7. Canoe safari
Embark on your own canoe adventure through breathtaking landscapes and mesmerising waterways. Dragonflies, kingfishers, water voles – what treasures will you discover?
Cost: £10 per canoe
Dates: Daily, 11:00 - 16:00
8. Family birdwatching
Head to the Discovery Hide for a fantastic view of our mere and see what species you can spot. As part of your Drawn to Water activity booklet, we’ve tasked you with finding a coot, tufted duck, oystercatcher, lapwing and more!
Our expert guide in the hide will also be available between 14:00 - 15:00 for some bird watching sessions.
Cost: free
9. Moth trapping
Each morning at 10:30, we’re opening up our moth trap outside of the Discovery Hide to see what species we find at Martin Mere. We have over 300 species at Martin Mere - so you may find something different every day!
Cost: free
Dates: Daily, 10:30
10. Arts and craft
Each day, head to our Longhouse craft room and get stuck in with clay modelling, building your own mini-roundhouse, traditional weaving and more.
Cost: free and paid crafts (from £1 - £2.50)
Dates: Daily, 13:00 - 16:00
Normal admission prices apply