A stylish new addition to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes was unveiled today – the city’s first architect-designed bat house. The brain-child of  Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, the giant white cube is four metres high and features layers of sculptured branches leading to dark, safe roosting spaces inside.

It’s hoped the first bats will move into their new home this autumn when they begin looking for places to mate and hibernate. The 42-hectare Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust London Wetland Centre is Europe’s leading urban wildlife reserve. Located on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes, South West London the centre is a vast natural space in the heart of the city – and home to dozens of rare species. Some of them should be in evidence on Thursday 17 September when the ‘Big Batty Walk’ kicks off at 6.40pm. Tickets are £10 each, and advance booking is essential: call 020 8409 4400.

“This new bat house is a fantastic addition to the WWT London Wetland Centre,” add Mayor of London Boris Johnson. “I would encourage people to visit and see how art and architecture are providing an important habitat for the capital’s bats.”

Photo by Teri Pengilley