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Eight miles southwest of Stroud, out of the Cotswolds, SLIMBRIDGE sits in a narrow corridor between the M5 and the Severn - a surprising location for the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre (daily: April-Oct 9.30am-6pm; Nov-March 9.30am-5pm; last entry 1hr before closing; GBP6), covering 120 acres between Sharpness Canal and the river. Since ornithologist Sir Peter Scott created it in 1946, the centre has become Britain's largest wildfowl sanctuary , and a breeding ground with an important conservation role. Geese, swans, ducks and a huge gathering of flamingos make up the bulk of the birdlife. While some birds are resident all year round, many are migratory: the greatest numbers congregate in the winter months, when Bewick swans, for example, migrate from Russia. There is an extensive network of trails around the sanctuary, with hides for observation. Slimbridge has a comfortable, purpose-built youth hostel (tel 01453/890275), accessible from a lane opposite the Tudor Arms pub in the village. The only buses to go anywhere near Slimbridge are those between Gloucester and Bristol or Dursley, which stop by the turn-off on the A38, just over a mile east of the village.
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