The Insider’s Guide to The National Lottery Open Week - Saving Species

From flora to fauna, this year’s National Lottery Open Week venues and attractions offer lots of opportunities to get back to nature and up close with wildlife across the UK. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some top tips and insider knowledge to ensure you get the most out of the participating reserves, parks and even Biomes who are supporting UK wildlife. Don’t forget to use your National Lottery ticket or Scratchcard (digital or physical) to redeem special offers this Open Week.

A woman (Claire Freeburn) in front of the RSPB Saltholme reservoir — Claire Freeburn at RSPB Saltholme, Middlesborough

1. RSPB Saltholme

Location: Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesborough

Open Week Offer: Free entry - 19 to 27 March

Insider’s fact: Saltholme is home to one of the UK's largest inland breeding colony of the British seabird - the common tern, which arrive each spring to nest on the cockleshell-covered islands in their open pools. The islands provide the ideal nesting site for these birds, as they are away from predatory mammals and accidental trampling.

Insider’s tip: In summer, visit Paddy's Pool Hide and Saltholme Pools Hide to see the stripy, fluffy, young great crested grebes riding around on their parents' backs.

Flamingoes at WWT Slimbridge by ©Sarah Freeman/WWT — Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Slimbridge by ©Sarah Freeman/WWT

2. Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Slimbridge

Location: Slimbridge, Gloucestershire

Open Week offer: 2 for 1 entry – 19th – 27th March 2022

Insider’s fact: Did you know that WWT Slimbridge is the only place in the UK where you can see all six species of flamingo? It also has the largest population of amphibians in Europe and was actually where Sir Peter Scott established the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). He would later go on to help establish the World Wide Fund for Nature, also designing the original logo for it.

Insider’s tip: For the best birdwatching experience, visit in winter where you can see the Bewick’s swans as they migrate to Slimbridge from Russia for the season. The winter wild bird feeds are a brilliant way to experience these beautiful birds up close.

An Orangutan (James Wild) made of wood sticks at Eden Project, Cornwall — James Wild Orangutan at Eden Project, Cornwall

3. The Eden Project

Location: Bodelva, Cornwall

Open Week offer: Free Entry - 19th- 27th March 2022

Insider’s fact: Keep an eye out for a striking sculpture made out of scrap metal by artist James Wild. Found in the Rainforest Biome, it is in the shape of an Orangutan, highlighting the impact that deforestation for harvesting palm oil can have on critically endangered habitats.

Insider’s tip: Head straight to the Rainforest Biome first thing in the morning to experience wonderful humidity and a rich, earthy scent of the rainforest.

Views of a lake in the Creggan Country Park, Derry — Walk on the Wild Side of Creggan Country Park, Derry

4. Creggan Country Park

Location: Creggan, Derry

Open Week offer: Free tea, coffee and cake – 20th and 23rd- 25th March 2022

Insider’s fact: Did you know that the Nature Hub used to be a basketball pitch? It’s been transformed over the last decade and now holds a hedgerow maze, outdoor classroom, pond, storytelling area, games and The Lorax Storybook trail.

Insider’s tip: Climb the steps to the conservation area viewing point and see views of the river Foyle, lough Foyle and Binevenagh mountain in the distance on a clear day.

Explore the full list National Lottery Open Week offers at www.NationalLotteryOpenWeek.com.