Closed on Weds 4th Dec

Due to planned essential electrical work in the local area, WWT Castle Espie will be closed on Wednesday 4th December. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Close alert

Castle Espie news

Step into Summer at Castle Espie

Step into Summer at Castle Espie

Signs of summer are all around. From the reserve to the lakes and ponds to the woodland paths to fantastic events to keep everyone entertained.

22 June 2023

Quentin Blake art draws people to WWT Castle Espie

Quentin Blake art draws people to WWT Castle Espie

Reimagine the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eyes of the UK’s best loved illustrator – Quentin Blake at WWT Castle Espie from 18 May until February 2024, as part of a partnership Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT between renowned illustr

5 May 2023

Become a Wetlands detective this Easter at Castle Espie

Become a Wetlands detective this Easter at Castle Espie

Join WWT Castle Espie for a quacking family day out as a Wetland Detective 6th -16th April, 11 - 1pm and 2 - 4pm each day. Explore, discover, put your senses to the test to succeed and complete the trail this Easter. Investigate underwater mysteries, fo

31 March 2023

Spring is in the air at Castle Espie

Spring is in the air at Castle Espie

Signs of Spring are arriving at WWT Castle Espie. From the reserve to the lakes and ponds to the woodland paths, wildlife and nature is beginning to blossom for everyone to discover. In Spring courtship rituals begin; a large colony of black-headed gulls

9 March 2023

Castle Espie Wetland Centre temporary closure

Castle Espie Wetland Centre temporary closure

Cases of avian influenza are widespread across the UK and we have sadly had a confirmed case in our collection birds at the centre.

19 January 2023

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre Reopens Following  Recent Closure

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre Reopens Following Recent Closure

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open and welcoming back visitors after a temporary closure due to a confirmed case of avian influenza. 

19 January 2023

Stay connected with the Giant Spirit of Castle Espie

Stay connected with the Giant Spirit of Castle Espie

Through a series of stories and online activities we'll reveal the #GiantSpiritofCastleEspie until we can reopen.

29 November 2022

Connect with Nature and restore your wellbeing at Castle Espie this Autumn

Connect with Nature and restore your wellbeing at Castle Espie this Autumn

It’s been proven that spending time in nature - particularly near water - makes us feel happier, reduces negative thoughts and levels of stress as well as having real well-being benefits. That’s why WWT Castle Espie, on the shores of Strangford Lough

30 September 2022

GET READY FOR THE BIG BRENT WEEKEND AT WWT CASTLE ESPIE THIS OCTOBER

GET READY FOR THE BIG BRENT WEEKEND AT WWT CASTLE ESPIE THIS OCTOBER

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is getting ready to welcome visitors to The Big Brent Weekend Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October, which celebrates one of its greatest wildlife spectacles of the year – the return of the light-bellied brent geese to the shor

15 September 2022

WWT Castle Espie Hosts Northern Irelands First Blue Carbon and MPA Strategy Focus Group

WWT Castle Espie Hosts Northern Irelands First Blue Carbon and MPA Strategy Focus Group

The Northern Ireland Government are preparing to review their Marine Protection area and Blue Carbon Strategies. The Department of Agriculture and Rural affairs (DAERA) have adopted co-design process for the review involving important stakeholders of whic

8 September 2022

Become a Junior Wetland Ranger this Summer!

Become a Junior Wetland Ranger this Summer!

Learn what it takes to care for our beautiful wetlands and help us with our daily mission to save wetland nature.Set off to explore and take part in fun activities to discover what makes wetlands amazing. With exciting wetland challenges to reconnect you

15 July 2022

“Gibellula Bangbangus” - Castle Espie finds species new to science

“Gibellula Bangbangus” - Castle Espie finds species new to science

A fungus discovered in an old Victorian gunpowder store at WWT Castle Espie has been revealed as a completely new species – and named Gibellula Bangbangus by BBC Springwatch viewers.

10 June 2022

Raising more than a glass

Raising more than a glass

Local musicians, Blackwater Folk, raised far more than they expected during a couple of gigs on St Patrick’s week this year. They were so struck by suffering in the Ukraine, that they put a donations bucket out whilst playing and raised over £900.00

7 April 2022

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA visits Castle Espie

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA visits Castle Espie

Environment Minister visits Castle Espie

28 January 2022

Castle Espie to host BBC Two’s Winterwatch 2022

Castle Espie to host BBC Two’s Winterwatch 2022

​WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre has been selected as one of three live locations across the UK to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme Winterwatch.

14 January 2022