Kielder Salmon Centre

This fishy attraction, owned by the Environment Agency, is the largest conservation hatchery in England and Wales. Already one of the UK’s most successful wildlife breeding centres, the hatchery has introduced new fresh-water pearl mussel breeding beds to help save one of the UK’s most endangered species. It also breeds around 900,000 salmon per annum. 

Kielder Salmon Centre staff have also been helping their colleagues in the north west. Numbers of Ennerdale Arctic Charr fish, which are unique to Ennerdale Water in the Lake District, have declined dramatically in recent years. Kielder Salmon Centre has helped save the lake's species by collecting and hatching eggs of the Ennerdale Charr.

The hatchery’s new visitor centre is open to the public and student groups – free of charge – seven days a week. 

If you want that little bit extra you can book a behind the scenes tour to find out more about the workings of the hatchery and meet the people who carry out the vital conservation work. Also discover how they manage the juvenille salmon.