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Castle Espie

Castle Espie Wetland Centre combines spectacular sustainable design with a memorable day out for the whole family. Beyond its award-winning eco-friendly visitor centre packed with attractions lies a magical mix of restored lagoons, woodland walks, grassland, salt marshes and reed beds already populated with Ireland’s largest collection of water-birds. Other wildlife includes otters, bats and dragonflies and young visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas.

Outdoors, a series of walks lead to The Sustainable Garden, the wildfowl collection area, The Crannog and Brent bird hides and the restored Limekiln Observatory, while a natural play area in the woods is great for the kids.

A perfect venue for meetings of all kinds, weddings, events, conferences and parties. 

The new development at WWT Castle Espie has been supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and by many other generous funders, including Ulster Garden Villages, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Ards Borough Council, Biffaward, The Crown Estate, Better Belfast, Low Carbon Buildings Programme (BERR) and NIE SMART Programme. For further information please contact us on 028 9187 4146.

So much to see and do

  • Learn how you can make a difference in the Sustainable Garden
  • See the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland
  • Discover the Wet Woodland
  • See the amazing beauty of Strangford Lough
  • Fantastic views from the the Brent Hide
  • Learning for everyone in the Education area
  • Gallery/Coffee shop
  • Gift Shop
  • Play and picnic zone
  • Stoat Town natural play area

Hides and nature walks allow you to get close to wild birds and the collection of endangered birds from around the world. This is a tranquil and friendly centre for all the family where you can find out more about Irish wetlands, and how you can save them for future generations.

Young at Art 1d-3d children's art competition - click PDF to download the entry form

Click on the images below for more details

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The Sustainable Garden with its reedbeds, Turtle Hide and Straw Bale Building will give you inspiration for gardening for wildlife at home.
The Sustainable Garden with its reedbeds, Turtle Hide and Straw Bale Building will give you inspiration for gardening for wildlife at home.
The local name for the deep ponds in the Reserve is the ?Plumbs?. Here you can get really close to the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland, many of them colourful and exotic.
The local name for the deep ponds in the Reserve is the ?Plumbs?. Here you can get really close to the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland, many of them colourful and exotic.
This unique habitat has a special charm, especially in Winter.
This unique habitat has a special charm, especially in Winter.
The Brent Hide is one of the best viewing areas on Strangford Lough and during the winter months provides a wonderful vantage point from which to witness the spectacular sight of the Brent geese. Most of the world?s population of Brent geese overwinter on Strangford Lough.
The Brent Hide is one of the best viewing areas on Strangford Lough and during the winter months provides a wonderful vantage point from which to witness the spectacular sight of the Brent geese. Most of the world?s population of Brent geese overwinter on Strangford Lough.
The hides overlook Strangford Lough, an area of international importance and great beauty, with its eelgrass beds and wide variety of wildfowl and waders including shelduck, shoveler, redshank, godwit and plover.
The hides overlook Strangford Lough, an area of international importance and great beauty, with its eelgrass beds and wide variety of wildfowl and waders including shelduck, shoveler, redshank, godwit and plover.
Rooms are available for use by school and other groups visiting the centre where Educators are on hand to tell you more about wetlands and their biodiversity.
Rooms are available for use by school and other groups visiting the centre where Educators are on hand to tell you more about wetlands and their biodiversity.
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