Europe’s longest path of stepping stones is opening in the UK this summer

If you ask us, there’s something irresistible about a set of stepping stones. Holding your balance as you hop from one rock to the next, careful not to fall into the murky water below? Yep, that’s a whole afternoon of entertainment right there. 

Better yet: the longest path of stepping stones in all of Europe has just launched in the UK. The Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire, best known as a place to go flamingo and otter spotting, opened a stretch of walkable stones this month. The path spans an impressive 68 metres across the water with 143 individual stone slabs in total.

As you make your way along the trail, there are three different crossing points, meaning you’ll be able to pass by other wildlife explorers without risking soggy socks. Most of the stones are wide enough to let two people stand on them, too. 

The new activity forms part of the wildlife centre’s Wet Meadow & Self-Guided Bug Hunting Area. Once you’ve made it, still dry, across the water, you’ll be able to pick your next path depending on what you’re keen to see. The dry route weaves through colourful wildflowers while the wet route lets you immerse yourself in the water via a sunken walkway. 

The stepping stones are open throughout the year, with summer opening hours from 9.30am-6pm and winter opening hours of 9.30am-4pm. Plus, the stepping stones are included as part of your admission ticket or WWT membership, meaning there’s no extra fee to hop, skip and jump your way across the pond. Find out more on the wetland centre’s website here.

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