Make Magical Memories at Wonderful Winter Events.
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre has launched a programme of wonderful winter events for December including the magical Here Comes Santa experience, a free Christmas recital by the Gryphon Consort and a guided walk on Boxing Day to burn off the Christmas calories!
Families from across Northern Ireland have already signed up to make magical memories with a visit to Santa and his elves. The Here Comes Santa! event runs on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd December between 10am and 4:30pm.
This year’s traditional Santa experience includes a visit to the Gingerbread Workshop where adults can relax with festive refreshments whilst the kids get creative decorating gingerbread men. Out on the reserve, visitors can feed rare and endangered birds from around the world and follow the Christmas trail, stopping at the Roundhouse to toast marshmallows around the fire. Back inside there's Christmas craft and letter writing at the Castle Espie Post Office. Merry Christmas Magic Shows take place on Saturdays with storytelling on Sundays and Monday.
The popular event, which sold out last year, currently has some availability for Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th and Monday 22nd December, limited availability on Saturday 20th December with Sunday 14th and Sunday 21st already fully booked. Bookings can be made by calling Castle Espie on 028 9187 4146 between 10am – 5pm.
The Gryphon Consort will be spreading Christmas cheer with a free concert round the Castle Espie Christmas tree on Saturday 20th December. The Bangor based ladies chamber choir will be singing carols and Christmas classics for all to enjoy from 1pm – 4pm.
On the first three Sundays in December (7, 14, 21 December) from 2pm – 4pm expert guides from Castle Espie Birdwatching Club will be in the Brent Hide to share their extensive knowledge of wetland wildlife during the popular Guide in the Hide sessions. Suitable for beginners and with all questions encouraged it’s the perfect opportunity to take time out, relax and witness the beauty of the birds that flock to Castle Espie at this time of year.
Recent sightings have included thousands of Brent Geese who were stars of the show in a recent BBC Autumnwatch documentary filmed from Castle Espie, 25 Whooper Swans with their cygnets and even a pair of Kingfishers. Guide in the Hide is free with admission, binoculars are provided but feel free to bring your own and your camera to capture the wonder of Strangford Lough’s winter birds.
Rounding off the December events programme is the Boxing Day Walk on Friday 26th December. After spending a day indoors opening presents and enjoying a Christmas feast, the Boxing Day Walk is a great opportunity to get out and about and enjoy a guided walk at either 12pm or 2pm. Witness the wildlife spectacles nature has to offer by strolling through the reserve. Experience stunning scenery and breathtaking views as well as the chance to see thousands of ducks, geese and swans who migrate thousands of miles to Castle Espie each year. The hour long walks are free with admission with no advance booking required.
