What are the opening hours?

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

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

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WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

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WWT Castle Espie is a visitor centre open all year. Come and see the power of wetlands for yourself.
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31/10/2026

🎃 Happy Halloween from Castle Espie!

Did you know many Halloween traditions have their roots in Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of winter? 🍂

Join us for a little magic today! Mix a potion and make a wish for wetlands and wildlife. 🧪✨

📍 Gunpowder Store
🕚 Sessions at 11, 12 noon, 2 and 3pm.

29/10/2026

✨ A wee bit of woodland magic awaits this week at WWT Castle Espie! 🧙‍♂️

🪄 Friday 30th October: Find the Woodland Wizard in the woods and make your own wand. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

🧪 Saturday 31th October: Mix a magic potion and make a wish for wetlands and wildlife at the Gunpowder Store. Sessions at 11, 12 noon, 2 and 3pm.

Potion sessions are limited to 30 people each. Pick up your ticket from reception.

27/10/2026

🔭 Join us for our next Bird Watch Morning tomorrow!

Wrap up warm and explore the reserve with our reserve warden, take a closer look at the birds enjoying our wetlands. What will you spot?

📅 Wednesday 28th October
🕥 10.30am to 12 noon
🎟️ Normal admission applies. Free for WWT members.

26/10/2026

🎨 A wee bit of art for your autumn visit!

Kilmood Art Club’s exhibition is now showing in our Graffan Gallery until 8th November. Pop in, warm up and enjoy a browse on your next visit to Castle Espie.

24/10/2026

WWT Castle Espie will be closed this weekend (Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October) due to the storm for the safety of our staff and visitors.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

23/10/2026

WWT Volunteer Jonny Clark captured this cattle egret and glossy ibis on the reserve, both uncommon visitors to our wetlands, and we're glad they seem to be hanging around.

👀 See what else has been spotted this week in our latest sightings - https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-19th-october-2026

20/10/2026

🍄 A little magic awaits this Hallowe'en at WWT Castle Espie!

Join us for SUPER Natural, 24th October-1st November ✨

🧙 Make a wand with the Woodland Wizard on 30th October
🧪 Mix a magic potion on 31st October

A magical adventure for younger children. Costumes welcome! 🎃

Find out more 👉 https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/whats-on/events/super-natural-october-half-term-2026

19/10/2026

👀 Another unusual visitor at Castle Espie!

This cattle egret is not often seen on our wetlands! It's usually spotted in fields alongside grazing cattle. These small white herons feed on insects disturbed by the animals. In the UK they’re most commonly seen in southern England and Wales.

A special sight here at Castle Espie! 💚

📷 Jonny Clark

15/10/2026

🦆 From whistling wigeon and a glossy ibis to flashes of kingfisher blue, our weekly bird count also included around 250 oystercatchers on the estuary and 48 black-tailed godwits on the shingle bank!

Our bird of the week is the wigeon. Listen out for its whistling call on your next autumn wander! 🍂

Read our latest sightings 👉 https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-12th-october-2026

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

Website

http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie

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