Name: WWT Castle Espie
Rating: 5.0

WWT Castle Espie

78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Newtownards BT23 6EA, Northern Ireland, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in Northern Ireland is a nature haven on the shores of Strangford Lough, perfect for families and wildlife lovers. Open year-round (except Christmas Eve and Day), it offers beautiful walking trails, wildlife observation, and fun outdoor activities. It’s a peaceful place to connect with nature while enjoying engaging experiences for all ages.

Children can explore exciting adventure play areas with zip-lines and climbing frames. Families can spot ducks, geese, and seasonal birds along the wetlands and woodlands or visit the World Wetland Aviary and Limekiln Observatory. The centre also features The Graffan Gallery with rotating art exhibitions and a Crannog roundhouse for a historic touch.

Ticket prices (without Gift Aid) are £9.45 for adults, £6.13 for juniors (4–17), and free for under-4s. Family tickets are £26.50 and concessions £8.04.

Three birthday party options are available: Duckling Hunt (£12/child), Wildlife Detectives (£14/child), and Wild in the Woods (£14.95/child), with free entry for accompanying adults.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Adventure play: Let your imagination run (or fly) wild in the adventure play spaces, where nature and fun go hand in hand. From swinging down zip-lines to scaling the summit of our towering climbing frames, there’s something for explorers from pre-school to teenagers to enjoy.
Discover Wildlife: Nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough, our reserve is a magical mix of wide estuary views, tidal lagoons, eel-grass mats, salt marshes, reed beds, and woodland. A haven for wildlife. Explore the wild reserve with walking paths through both the wetlands and woodlands. With plenty of bird hides and viewpoints throughout the trails. Each season brings its star species and spectacles to Castle Espie Wetland Centre.
The Graffan Gallery: The Graffan Gallery is a well-respected exhibition space for high-quality art, photography, craft and sculpture. The gallery aims to encourage fresh talent and bring new work to the fore. It houses exhibitions from a variety of artists throughout the year.
World Wetland Aviary: Get up close to our large collection of ducks and geese from around the world. WWT is undertaking conservation work for many of the birds you can see in our collection. Look out for Eider, Red-breasted geese, and Puna teal. We also have one of Europe’s most important populations of Barrow’s Goldeneye!
Limekiln Observatory: A modern take on an old building, the Limekiln Observatory housed the kiln when the site was a brick-and-lime works at the end of the Victorian era. Plus, with breath-taking views across Strangford Lough, the Limekiln Observatory is an ideal spot for history and wildlife lovers alike.
Crannog roundhouse: Step back in time in this Iron Age roundhouse, overlooking the Freshwater Lagoon. Enjoy close-up views of birds like moorhen, gadwall and teal.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: Visit the Kingfisher Café and choose from a selection of hot and cold snacks, drinks and ice cream for you to enjoy with us and fuel your wetland adventure.
Parking: Free car parking is available at the centre. There are also 2 charging points for electric vehicles.
Baby changing: Center has a baby changing table in both the male and female toilets at the Kingfisher Café.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Admission prices (Without Gift Aid)

Adult: £9.45
Junior (4-17 years): £6.13
Children (under 4 years): FREE
Family (2 adults and 2 children): £26.50
Concession (65+ and full-time student): £8.04

Pricing URL: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in Northern Ireland is an ideal venue for children's birthday parties. Everyone can enjoy a unique party full of fun and fascination in the great outdoors!

They have three dedicated party options to choose from:

Duckling Hunt party (4-6yrs): £12 per child and accompanying adults get in free.
Wildlife Detectives party (6-11yrs): £14 per child and accompanying adults get in free.
Wild in the Woods (7-11yrs+): £14.95 per child and accompanying adults get in free.

Visit the website for more information.

Open 10am to 5pm
Park is open 7 days a week, 363 days a year.
Except Christmas eve and Christmas Day.

Address: 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Newtownards BT23 6EA, Northern Ireland, UK

Post Code: BT23 6EA

Council: Strangford

County: Down

By Bus: The no 11 bus leaves Laganside Bus Centre in Belfast approximately every hour for the 25 minute journey to Comber. It is then a pleasant one hour walk or 10 minute taxi journey to the centre. On Sundays buses run less frequently and depart from the Europa Bus Centre.
By Car: The centre is located 2.5 miles from Comber on the Ballydrain Road, off the A22 Comber/Killyleagh Road.From Belfast follow the A22 towards Comber until you reach the roundabout. Turn right on to the A22 Comber/Killyleagh/Downpatrick road then turn first left at the Ballydrain Road.Free car parking is available at the centre.
By Bike: A bicycle rack is situated in the courtyard – please bring your own lock. Strangford Lough is located on Sustrans Regional Route 20 and Route 99.