WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre WWT Castle Espie is a visitor centre open all year. Come and see the power of wetlands for yourself.
(326)

Looking for a relaxing start to your day? ๐Ÿฆโ€โฌ›๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ”ญJoin us tomorrow morning for our Bird Watch Morning and discover the rese...
23/06/2026

Looking for a relaxing start to your day? ๐Ÿฆโ€โฌ›๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ”ญ

Join us tomorrow morning for our Bird Watch Morning and discover the reserve at one of the best times of day for wildlife. Recent sightings include little egrets, curlew, willow warbler, sedge warbler, tufted duck and common terns, so there's plenty to see!

๐Ÿ“… Wed 24th June 10.30-12noon
Suitable for beginners and experienced birdwatchers too.

Book now:
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-22nd-june-2026

Today marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight lingers long int...
21/06/2026

Today marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight lingers long into the evening. โ˜€๏ธ

The Summer Solstice has been celebrated across Ireland for generations, marking the height of summer and the longest day of the year. It's also a time when nature is bursting with life from blooming wildflowers to busy wetland wildlife.

Happy solstice! hope you can take a little time today to enjoy the beauty of nature ๐ŸŒž

Mummy duck has all her wee ducks in a row... almost. ๐Ÿฆ†This busy mum was spotted leading her brood across the lake at WWT...
20/06/2026

Mummy duck has all her wee ducks in a row... almost. ๐Ÿฆ†

This busy mum was spotted leading her brood across the lake at WWT Castle Espie. With 12 ducklings to keep an eye on, there's never a dull moment!

๐Ÿ“ธ Miryam Saraceni

Heading to the Comber Earlies Food Festival tomorrow? ๐Ÿฅ”Why not make a full day of it? After enjoying the festival you ca...
19/06/2026

Heading to the Comber Earlies Food Festival tomorrow? ๐Ÿฅ”

Why not make a full day of it? After enjoying the festival you can continue your day with a visit to Castle Espie, we're just a short distance away on the Ballydrain road.

Wander our walking trails, meet our wildlife, browse the Graffan Gallery, let little adventurers burn off some energy in the soft play area and wildwood, and have a nosey in our shop. All while enjoying stunning views across Strangford Lough.

๐Ÿ“ 2 miles from Comber Earlies Food Festival
๐Ÿฆข Wildlife, walks and breathtaking views
๐ŸŽจ Graffan Gallery showcasing Colin and Sylvia Dales Exhibition
๐Ÿงธ Indoor soft play and outdoor woodland play area
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Gift shop and cafรฉ open throughout the day

Weโ€™re delighted to welcome a beautiful collection from local artist and designer Ali Parks to the Castle Espie Gift Shop...
18/06/2026

Weโ€™re delighted to welcome a beautiful collection from local artist and designer Ali Parks to the Castle Espie Gift Shop. ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ’œ

Aliโ€™s vibrant scarves and prints celebrate the colour and beauty found in natureโ€™s smallest details. ๐Ÿฆš

Pop into the gift shop to take a wee look ๐Ÿ‘€

New life is everywhere at Castle Espie this week! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿฆ†From the calm waters of Strangford Lough to our freshwater lakes and...
17/06/2026

New life is everywhere at Castle Espie this week! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿฆ†

From the calm waters of Strangford Lough to our freshwater lakes and lagoons, itโ€™s been a wonderful week for wildlife.

Tiny ducklings are busy learning to dabble and dive, while proud families of shelducks, mallards and gadwall ducks have been spotted across the reserve. Keep an eye out too for fluffy fledglings in the woodlands and young birds finding their feet along the shoreline.

Wetland life is constantly changing at this time of year, with new families appearing on every visit.

๐Ÿ“ What wildlife sightings have stood out on your visit this week?

๐Ÿ“ท Jonny Clark/ WWT.

You think itโ€™s just grassโ€ฆ but look closer.What first looks like an ordinary patch of grass and small wildflowers hides ...
16/06/2026

You think itโ€™s just grassโ€ฆ but look closer.
What first looks like an ordinary patch of grass and small wildflowers hides something unusual - a beautiful bee orchid in bloom. ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒธ
This orchid has evolved to look like a bee to help attract pollinators.

The latest duckling to join our flock at Castle Espie ๐Ÿฃ just hatched on Friday and is being well looked after by our att...
14/06/2026

The latest duckling to join our flock at Castle Espie ๐Ÿฃ just hatched on Friday and is being well looked after by our attentive keepers.

๐Ÿ“ท Miryam Saraceni

Less than 3 weeks to go until Dragonfly Festival at Castle Espie! โœจ๐Ÿ‰ Get ready for a summer packed with dragonfly-themed...
12/06/2026

Less than 3 weeks to go until Dragonfly Festival at Castle Espie! โœจ๐Ÿ‰ Get ready for a summer packed with dragonfly-themed arts & crafts, weekly pond dipping, live music, circus performers and plenty of family fun in nature. ๐ŸŒฟ

๐Ÿ“… Starts 30 June
๐Ÿ“ WWT Castle Espie

Whoโ€™s joining us this summer?

Happy World Saltmarsh Day! ๐Ÿ’š๐ŸŒฟSaltmarshes are some of our most valuable wetlands -they provide a vital home for wildlife,...
11/06/2026

Happy World Saltmarsh Day! ๐Ÿ’š๐ŸŒฟ

Saltmarshes are some of our most valuable wetlands -they provide a vital home for wildlife, store carbon, help to reduce flooding and support incredible biodiversity.

We're lucky to be surrounded by habitats that connect with the wider wetland landscape of Strangford Lough, where saltmarshes play an important role for many species of birds, plants and invertebrates.

Did you know that saltmarshes are often called the "rainforests of the coast" because of the rich variety of life they support? ๐Ÿฆ†๐Ÿฆ‹๐ŸŒฑ

Discover more about these remarkable habitats and the amazing wildlife they support in WWT's latest blog:

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/blog/the-amazing-biodiversity-of-saltmarshes

From the tiniest marine worm to the most spectacular flock of waders, saltmarshes support a huge abundance of biodiversity around the world. Read on to discover some of these remarkable species, and how WWT is shining a light on this understudied habitat.

Address

78 Ballydrain Road
Newtownards
BT236EA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+442891874146

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share