The Wetland Reserve was first established in 2000 then in 2008 a visitor and education centre was built in West Nash. This was built with help from the RSPB and Newport City Council and boosted its popularity meaning more people came to visit and witness the wildlife the Wetlands has to offer. The reserve coveres a total of 1,080 acres and is open for free to everyone from 9am till 5:30pm everyday apart from Christmas Day.

The reserve inludes a wide variety of habitats with rare birds being spotted frequently, such as two glossy ibis' which were spotted in January 2012.