Forests & woodlands Β· Northern Ireland
Castle Espie Wetland Centre
In or near Killinchy.
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is a forest or woodland in the United Kingdom.

Wikimedia Commons contributors β see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 hβ3 h
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
About
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is a named forest, woodland or nature reserve in the United Kingdom. Address: 78, Ballydrain Road, Comber, BT23 6EA. Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00. Coordinates: 54.5311Β°, -5.6929Β°.
Photo gallery
Official information
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is a nature reserve that offers visitors the chance to explore various wetland habitats and observe a diverse range of wildlife, including ducks and geese. The centre features adventure play areas, pond dipping activities, and special events throughout the year, making it an engaging destination for families and nature enthusiasts.
From the Wikipedia article
Castle Espie is a wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) on the banks of Strangford Lough, three miles south of Comber, County Down, Northern Ireland, in the townland of the same name. It is part of the Strangford Lough Ramsar Site. It provides an early wintering site for almost the entire Nearctic population of pale-bellied brent geese. The Castle which gave the reserve its name no longer exists.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
There is archaeological evidence from the Mesolithic period at the site. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, lime was quarried at the site, and processed in Hoffmann kilns. In the nineteenth century, there were also brickworks on the site. The site has been managed by WWT since 1990. ==Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch
Description
It has the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland. In addition to the reserve, the site contains The Kingfisher Kitchen, gift and book shop, The Graffan Gallery, exhibition areas, hides, woodland walks, sensory garden, events and activities, free parking, a picnic area The Visitor Centre features award-winning sustainable design including rain water harvesting, natural reed bed filtration systems for waste water, solar power and provides sweeping vistas of the northern shore of Strangford lough from the Kingfisher kitchen.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 54.5311, -5.6929
- District
- Ards and North Down
- Postcode
- BT23 6EA
- Parliamentary constituency
- Strangford
- Opening
- Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
- Official site
- www.wwt.org.uk
Sources
- osm: w1020356239 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Castle Espie (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: The ornamental duck pool at Castle Espie 2013-10-31 22-14.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Former Pump House
Historic houses Β· 0.1 km

Site of Lime Kiln
Archaeological sites Β· 0.1 km

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre
Wildlife reserves Β· 0.4 km

Island Hill
Viewpoints Β· 1.8 km

Tullynakill
Natural landmarks Β· 2.8 km

A22 road
Natural landmarks Β· 2.9 km

Comber
Natural landmarks Β· 3.1 km
Tudor Cinema
Theatres Β· 3.1 km

Drumhirk
Natural landmarks Β· 3.3 km

Lisbane
Natural landmarks Β· 3.3 km

Excelsior Cinema
Cinemas Β· 3.4 km

Kilmood
Natural landmarks Β· 3.5 km
Nearby
Historic houses Β· Northern Ireland
Former Pump House
Former Pump House β a historic house in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.
Archaeological sites Β· Northern Ireland
Site of Lime Kiln
Site of Lime Kiln β a archaeological in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.
π· 3Wildlife reserves Β· Northern Ireland
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre β nature reserve in United Kingdom.
Viewpoints Β· Northern Ireland
Island Hill
Island Hill is a viewpoint in the United Kingdom.
Natural landmarks Β· Northern Ireland
Tullynakill
Tullynakill in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Castle Espie Wetland Centre
Places to stay
π· 5Hotels Β· Northern Ireland
La Mon Hotel & Country Club
La Mon Hotel & Country Club β a hotel in northern ireland.
π· 3Campsites Β· Northern Ireland
The Lodge at Quarterland Bay Camp Site
The Lodge at Quarterland Bay Camp Site β a campsite in northern ireland.
Campsites Β· Northern Ireland
Dundonald Touring Caravan Park
Dundonald Touring Caravan Park β a campsite in northern ireland.
Hostels Β· Northern Ireland
Lakewood Secure Care Centre
Lakewood Secure Care Centre β a hostel in northern ireland.
Places to eat & drink
Historic pubs Β· Northern Ireland
Red Lion Pub bombing
Red Lion Pub bombing in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
π· 5Historic pubs Β· Northern Ireland
The Botanic Inn
The Botanic Inn in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs Β· Northern Ireland
Crown Liquor Saloon
Crown Liquor Saloon in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
More forests in this region
Forests & woodlands Β· Northern Ireland
Belshaw's Quarry Nature Reserve
Belshaw's Quarry Nature Reserve is a forest or woodland in the United Kingdom.
π· 3Forests & woodlands Β· Northern Ireland
Belvoir Park Forest
Belvoir Park Forest is a forest or woodland in the United Kingdom.
Forests & woodlands Β· Northern Ireland
HM Prison Hydebank Wood
HM Prison Hydebank Wood in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Forests & woodlands Β· Northern Ireland
Favour Royal Forest Picnic Site
Favour Royal Forest Picnic Site β a other in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Castle Espie Wetland Centre?
- Castle Espie Wetland Centre is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (postcode BT23 6EA).
- What is Castle Espie Wetland Centre?
- Castle Espie Wetland Centre is a forest or woodland in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Castle Espie Wetland Centre?
- Drivers can use postcode BT23 6EA.
- Is Castle Espie Wetland Centre free to visit?
- Yes, Castle Espie Wetland Centre is free to enter.
- How do I get to Castle Espie Wetland Centre?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode BT23 6EA. It sits within the Strangford parliamentary constituency.