The official website of Visit Ards and North Down
En

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

Gradings

  • Four Star Quality Assurance
Four Star Quality Assurance
Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA
ariel view of WWT Castle Espie

Book Tickets Online

About

WWT Castle Espie is an extraordinary day out for the whole family. Escape the everyday, reconnect with nature, and experience the wonder of wetlands on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough.

Visit Castle Espie all year round and discover new trails, activities and wildlife highlights every time!

Get up close to Ireland's largest collection of native and exotic birds, ducks and geese in our World Wetland Aviary. Join our keepers for daily Diving Duck Talks and Handfeeding Sessions too.

Explore the nature reserve with walking paths through both the wetlands and woodlands. With bird hides and viewpoints throughout the trails, be sure to pause and look out for our seasonal wildlife highlights. Don’t miss willow warblers, terns, and butterflies in summer, and huge numbers of Brent geese, wigeon, and shelduck in winter.

Add to that our magical sensory garden, Graffan Gallery, gift shop and Kingfisher Cafe and you’re left with an unforgettable day out for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for an action-packed family adventure or a relaxing day immersed in nature, there’s a world of wetland wildlife waiting to be discovered by you at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre.

WWT is the charity for wetlands and wildlife. We’re on a mission to restore wetlands because they are a wondrous solution to the problems our world faces. Together we will unlock their power – and help nature burst back to life. Because when wetlands flourish, all life will flourish.

Your visit to WWT Castle Espie supports our vital conservation work around Strangford Lough, across the UK, and around the world.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Guide dogs permitted
  • Toilets for disabled visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • Gift Shop
  • Open Evenings
  • Open Mondays
  • Open Sundays

Catering

  • Cater for vegetarians
  • Local Produce
  • Picnic Area
  • Serve breakfast
  • Serve lunch
  • Tea-room/Cafe onsite

Children & Infants

  • Accept children (Minimum age)
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Child seat available
  • Children's Menu Available
  • Children's outdoor play area
  • Children's Parties
  • Children's play area
  • Facilities for children
  • Highchairs Available

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Accommodation nearby
  • Cater for Corporate events
  • Cater for individuals
  • Cater for school groups
  • Conference facilities
  • Event venue
  • Family Fun
  • Fitness level required - low
  • Groups catered for
  • Online Booking
  • Route maps available
  • Shop
  • Talks
  • Toilets
  • Wi-fi available

Leisure Facilities

  • Wifi

Parking & Transport

  • Coach parking
  • Parking (free)
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted

Provider Preferences

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals
  • In countryside
  • Of historic, literary or architectural interest
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Unique venue
  • Waterfront

Specialist Features

  • Marketed as green/environmentally friendly

Guide Prices

See website for up to date prices

Events

Sunday, 1st December 2024 - Friday, 7th February 2025

A child wearing a winter coat, hat and wellies running through the woodland. The child is followed by two adults pushing buggies.Wild Welly WalksPull on your welly boots and get exploring the wetlands to complete all of the adventures in your checklist.
more info

Friday, 20th December 2024 - Sunday, 22nd December 2024

Santa standing in front of a Christmas tree and holding a festive mug. The background is snowy.Breakfast with Santa at WWT Castle EspieThis December at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, enjoy a delicious breakfast with all the family, plus a very special guest – Santa Claus!
more info

Add WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 28 9187 4146

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Open New Year

* The Centre is open daily 10:00 - 17:00 except Christmas Eve 24th December & Christmas Day 25th December.
Kingfisher Cafe is open daily 10:00 - 16:00.

What's Nearby

  1. St Mary’s Parish Church stands on the site of a Cistercian Abbey built in 1199. It was of…

    2.35 miles away
  2. Situated in The Square in Comber, it was erected in 1845 to commemorate the bravery of…

    2.41 miles away
  3. Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church was built on a site donated by James Andrews…

    2.62 miles away
  1. This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in…

    2.78 miles away
  2. Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has…

    2.95 miles away
  3. This charming park is situated around the upper slopes and top of Scrabo Hill, near the…

    3.34 miles away
  4. Sketrick Castle is located on Sketrick Island which is reached by a causeway on the west…

    3.49 miles away
  5. At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is…

    3.54 miles away
  6. The Livingston Centre at Killinchy Parish Church is a local heritage centre. It tells the…

    3.99 miles away
  7. Mount Stewart is a stunning estate in the beautiful scenic area of Strangford Lough. The…

    4.06 miles away
  8. The Lookout is a wildlife interpretative centre, showcasing the wildlife around the…

    4.07 miles away
  9. The gallery seeks to promote quality Irish art in a relaxed atmosphere and displays a…

    4.08 miles away
  10. Located in Newtownards’ beautifully restored Georgian Town Hall in the centre of town,…

    4.12 miles away
  11. At the south east edge of Newtownards these substantial remains of a Dominican (Black)…

    4.2 miles away
  12. At the east of High Street in Newtownards the Market Cross was built in 1636 but was…

    4.3 miles away
  13. Movilla Abbey, Methodist and Church of Ireland.

    As important as Bangor, Movilla was…

    4.58 miles away
Previous Next

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Directions: Take A2 from Newtownards to Comber. At the second Roundabout, take the Killyleagh/Downpatrick road A21 to the left. Turn first left at Ballydrain road.

View Maps and Visitor Guides
View of what Ards and North Down has to offer and some of the best things to see and do during a visit.
E-newsletter sign up
Sign up for the Ards and North Down newsletter for inspiration and travel tips.
Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss