Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT Washington

This is an advert for May 2023. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for.

Drawn to Water is a year long partnership between WWT and Quentin Blake who is one of the UK's best-known illustrators probably best known bringing the stories of Roald Dahl to life.

Quentin Blake is a huge nature / wetlands lover and the partnership aims to connect us more with nature, encourage us to slow down, pause and take in our surroundings and notice the changes throughout the seasons.

WWT Washington is a charity that protects our wetlands and wildlife. When you choose to visit WWT Washington, you will be supporting the vital work that they do.

Key Points

There will be three seasonal guides/trails (Spring/Summer, Autumn and Winter) which will highlight some of the best seasonal areas to enjoy at WWT as well as encouraging us to notice some of the aspects we may just usually walk past
The guides feature work from Quentin Blakes' archives and some has never been seen before
Each guide is FREE (included with admission / membership) and can be collected from the admissions desk on arrival
The trail can be enjoyed in any order and you don't even need to complete it all. The current version (Spring/Summer) runs until 3 September and includes 10 points of interest on the map which highlights some of the best places to enjoy the wetlands in Spring/Summer. You are encouraged to slow down, use your senses and take in the surroundings
The guide is for all ages and everyone is welcome. I would say it's better for older kids or adults who are looking for a peaceful and mindful way to connect with nature and see WWT in a different light
The route is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There is an accessible toilet, baby change area and accessible compost toilet
Each guide includes a complimentary Quentin Blake bookmark for you to keep - theses feature seasonal designs and there will be three to collect in total (one for each guide)

Visiting WWT Washington

WWT Washington is open 7 days a week from 10am. They are closed on Christmas Day but open on all other holiday periods including bank holidays.
You do not need to book ahead - just drop in.
There is a free on site car park (postcode NE38 8LE), the site is on the C2C route and there is a bike rack at the entrance and there is a bus stop at the end of the lane (see here for info).
WWT Washington is super accessible and is one of the best days out for wheelchair users in the North East. They have 6 designated disabled parking spaces, wheelchairs / mobility scooters available to hire, routes with fully surfaced tarmaced paths and step-free access to most wildlife hides with Hawthorn Hide including a large window. The paths are excellent for pushchairs too.
Due to the nature of the venue (there are lots of free roaming birds and other wildlife), pet dogs are not permitted on site.
You can check current admission prices here. Many visitors choose to become members which is an excellent way to protect the wetlands for future generations. Family membership is £6.50 per month for 2 adults and up to 6 children and offers unlimted visits plus discount vouchers and a few other perks.
There is a nice cafe on site with wonderful views as well as picnic tables, a playground, toilets (including accessible and baby change) and a nice gift shop.
I would recommend setting aside at least half a day but you could definitely spend a full day here as well. There is lots to see and do.

Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake at WWT Washington

"Reimagine the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eye's of the UK's best-loved illustrator"

This trail / guide is included with admission - simply collect your trail on arrival next to the admissions desk. There is a nature drawing area here which is free to join in with so why not jump straight in and practice drawing various birds using the handy prompt sheets? It's a nice way to start your day and suitable for all ages to have a go.

"I seem to have difficulty keeping birds out of my books"

As you exit the main entrance building, take some time to notice this artwork on the walls. It's beautiful and easily identified as his work yet if you look carefully, you will see that it's not perfect at all. On our visit, taking a moment to notice this and realise that with art and nature, you're not looking for perfection.

It's about capturing what you see and how you feel that matters.

Your 'Drawn to Water' guide includes a self-guided map with 10 points of interest (marked in yellow) where you are invited to pause, take in your surroundings and look at little details you may have ordinarily overlooked.

You can follow the trail map in any order and it has been designed to showcase the best parts of WWT Washington for that particular season.

Look out for these frog boards which correspond with the yellow dots on the map (so you know you're in the right place).

There aren't big activities or things to collect / find. It's more about pausing at specific points and connecting with nature/noticing the changes through the seasons.

Quentin Blake's illustrations in the guide may encourage some behaviours - for example it mentions the Stream channel is a good place to sit and hear the bees and at North Wood there is a prompt to feel the dappled sunlight on your skin. It's definitely a guide that encourages use of all of your senses.

I particularly enjoyed the Close encounters point where the guide asked us to notice how the birds were feeding. To me, all ducks feed the same - dip their head in the water? But if you actually stop and watch the different species, they do actually all feed slightly differently and it was just so nice to just stop and watch nature / notice things I wouldn't normally.

This spot below is one of the most picturesque areas of the site.. There is seating and the guide encourages us to blink and take a memory photograph. Can you spot Penshaw Monument in the background?

If you sit here for a few minutes and watch where the various bird noises are coming from in the reeds, follow the sounds and you may notice little heads popping up which may have otherwise gone un-noticed. This guide is all about tuning into your different senses.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trail. It's definitely not something that's not just for kids and if you're looking for a nice walk amongst nature to try and a chance to slow down, take in the best that nature has to offer us, I would recommend giving this a try.

Steve and I both left feeling uplifted, inspired and nice and relaxed. We stayed on site for 3 hours on this particular visit and if we didn't have to leave for another appointment, we could have easily spent all day here.

I like how the trail encourages curiosity and it's not just a tick box exercise - there are no right or wrong answers when walking around, the little prompts may just encourage us to look at things a little differently / notice our surroundings more.

I also like that it's not just one trail and it will be nice to return in Autumn and Winter to visit the new trails and really take note of how the wetlands change through the seasons.

Oh and who doesn't like a free bookmark? A complimentary collectible bookmark is included with each trail and features a Quentin Blake design. It will be lovely to collect all three.

WWT Washington is generally not too busy as there is lots of space to spread out and I think this activity would be ideal for young adults / adults with additional needs too and spending a half day / day here is a brilliant way to improve your mental health & wellbeing too.

Art & Nature Workshops

Across the year, WWT will be hosting a series of activities & workshops which connect art with nature which links in nicely with the Quentin Blake trail.

See the next section for some of the drop-in art/nature activities running though half term but if you are looking for a professional-led activity for your children to enjoy, how about this?:

Tuesday 30 May - Children's Otter Art Workshop for children aged 6-13 years
Join local artist Amy Brooks for an hour long art workshop where you will work with watercolour to paint a cute otter.

All equipment is provided and you do not need any experience - just enthusiasm to give it a go.
Please click here to book a place in advance.

We were lucky enough to enjoy a taster 'Nature Journaling' workshop with artist Steve Pardue during a press launch and had the best time.

I'd not heard of a Nature Journal before but now I'm a complete convert. Steve will guide you through how to journal, offer lots of hints and tips and encourages creativity and an individual approach over perfection.

Sadly, this workshop is currently sold out for their May Half Term date but do look out for future dates. It's suitable for ages 14+ and ideal for adults and teens who want to try something a little different.

I am NOT an artist at all but left feeling really proud of the beginnings of my journal and accomplished. Plus it's always nice to learn a new skill.

Events for May Half Term

Sat 27 May

Pond Dipping - drop in between 1pm - 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Sun 28 May

Natural Printing at Hollowood including Leaf Printing, Feather Painting and Chalk Tracing - drop in between 1pm and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Wild Walk : Willow Tit 11am-12noon (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Mon 29 May

Pond Dipping with Crafts - drop in between 1pm - 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Tues 30 May

Children's Otter Art Workshop for children aged 6-13 years (please book a place in advance)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Wednesday 31 May

Pond Dipping - drop in between 1pm - 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Thursday 1 June

Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Friday 2 June

Natural Printing at Hollowood including Leaf Printing, Feather Painting and Chalk Tracing - drop in between 1pm and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Saturday 3 June

Pond Dipping with Crafts - drop in between 1pm - 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Guide in the Hide (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Sunday 4 June

Daily Flamingo Talks at 11:45am and 2:45pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Otter Talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm (included with admission/membership - no need to book)
Daily Drawn to Water : Quentin Blake Trail (included with admission/membership)

Find out more about the above events and check meeting points here: What's On at WWT Washington

The Playscape at WWT Washington

This play area (best suited to under 10s I would say) is an excellent area where kids can explore and get creative. It's located just next to the entrance / cafe / picnic tables & ideal to visit for a play and lunch/coffee/a snack after completing the trail.

I think the mud kitchen area here is the best I've ever seen. It's huge!

There is also a sand pit area which looks like fun.

The Archimedes Screw Water Play Area is always popular too - bring a change of close if you think your kids are likely to make a splash.

This is all alongside more traditional play equipment including slides, scramble nets, see saws and climbing frames.

Waterside Cafe

The cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating with beautiful views of the wetlands. It's lovely just sitting here with a bite to eat and watching the ducks waddle past.

Their new menu includes pies from Piemaster, handmade sourdough sandwiches and toasties, jacket potatoes, warming soup, cakes and scones.

There are GF and V options and a children's menu with hot options or a sandwich box. You can check the current menu online here and every penny you spend in the cafe goes towards the wetlands and their conservation work.

Other Things To Do

As mentioned earlier, there is SO much to see and do at WWT Washington, it really is the kind of place you can spend the full day and you will want to revisit time and time again. Highlights for us include:

Visiting the Flamingos
Watching the Asian Short-Clawed Otters & listening to their wildlife talk
Popping by the Duckery and watching as the Ducklings take their first steps
Enjoying peace and quiet in the woodland areas
Admiring some of the Wild Birds from the Wildlife Hides and Feeding Stations
Visiting Ganderland and Close Encounters where you will meet some Rare Waterbirds
Looking out for Tadpoles and Frogs