We're making some changes at WWT Castle Espie

Updated: Wednesday 30 September 2026

A new vision for our Northern Irish wetland stronghold

In July 2026, we let you know that we would be making some changes to the way we operate at WWT Castle Espie, to make sure it thrives long into the future.

Since then, we have conducted a consultation with our people and can now confirm the changes that will be made to the site and the way it operates.

The challenge

Every single one of us is impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. Charities like ours are continuing to see the skyrocketing of the price of goods and services, and competition for vital funding becoming increasingly fierce. Despite that, our mission as the wetland charity has not changed. And, as we see the real-life impacts of extreme weather events like heatwaves and flooding occurring more regularly and with more intensity, it's more important than ever.

We have so much more to do to restore and protect our wetlands and the amazing wildlife that live within them. That's why we're putting our focus, right now, on making sure the charity is financially sustainable.

Our 10 wetland sites are absolutely at the heart of what we do at WWT. They're windows into wetlands; beautiful spaces for people to get up close to nature and forge ever-lasting memories with wildlife, with friends, while also building a strong sense of community. As we focus on the charity's financial sustainability, it's become clear that we must shift how we operate at our sites to safeguard their long-term future.

At WWT Castle Espie, this means we will be making some changes to make sure the site operates in a financially sustainable way, while still having the greatest impact.

The changes

WWT Castle Espie will not be closing. But the way it operates will look different in the coming months.

The café and shop will remain open, and the reserve will continue to welcome visitors as usual, but from the end of October 2026, we will close:

The site's exhibit areas, with all collection birds being transferred to other WWT sites across the UK.
The site's formal education offer. Self-guided sessions will still continue beyond October.

We will also be considering changes to our opening hours as we look ahead to 2027. For now, opening hours will remain as they are.

A window into the stunning Strangford Lough, WWT Castle Espie is the wetland charity's only site in Northern Ireland. It is a stronghold of wetland wildlife; steeped in ecological and historic significance and boasting internationally significant habitats. These changes will help us focus our resources on making the best of these habitats, the wildlife they provide sanctuary for, and the local community who gain experiences, enrichment and joy from them.

We can't do our work without the support of our members, supporters, visitors, partners and donors. We want to thank every single person who is helping us to protect our superpowered wetlands for generations to come and for your patience and understanding during this period.

Use this page to stay up to date with changes and our future plans for WWT Castle Espie.

Your questions answered

Essential information for visitors

: Currently, WWT Castle Espie is open every day, 10am - 5pm. We always suggest you check our website before planning your visit in case of unexpected closures, for example, in the case of extreme weather.

: No. WWT Castle Espie will remain open, offering incredible wetland nature experiences to people from all walks of life.

Changes at WWT Castle Espie

For some time, our sites with historically lower visitor numbers, including WWT Castle Espie, have been operating in a financial deficit. Until recently, those sites which attract more visitors and investment, have been able to support and subsidise them.

However, as rising costs and financial pressures increase, this model is no longer sustainable. This means we must act now to reduce the financial deficit gap, and bring sites like WWT Castle Espie closer to a place where our costs aren't outweighing our income.

: We've now concluded a formal consultation process with our people at WWT Castle Espie. The new direction for the site means that we will be making some changes so that the team are more focussed on developing the reserve so it's the best it can be for wildlife and people in the future.

: All wildlife currently housed in our collection exhibits at WWT Castle Espie will be safely transferred to new homes at other WWT sites across the UK.

: All of our birds will be moved to their new homes at other WWT sites during October 2026. We plan to start relocating in mid-October.

: The exhibits and aviaries will be taken down, and we plan to open up the area as a walk-through space with some added seating so you can enjoy the views and take a pause in the wetlands. In the longer-term, we hope to adapt this space to create a wetland garden area.

We understand that this change will be difficult for some visitors who enjoy coming to see our collection birds. However, we're very pleased that all of our birds have new homes to settle in at our other WWT sites.

WWT Castle Espie offers so much to see and do. History and nature lovers can delight in peeking through this window into the stunning Strangford Lough. The site is steeped in historic and ecological significance; a former brickworks and disused 19th century limestone quarry which now hosts an abundance of coastal habitats including saltmarsh, mudflat, freshwater wetlands, saline lagoon, species rich grasslands, woodland and wet woodland. WWT also leases over 400ha of intertidal mud and sand flats, including seagrass, on the foreshore of the adjacent lough in an area of exceptional ecological importance.

Wintering birds, including internationally important numbers of light-bellied brent geese and nationally important numbers of at least 19 other species, call WWT Castle Espie home. It is a haven for wildlife and a Northern Irish wetland stronghold.

From the end of October 2026, we will be closing our formal education offer at WWT Castle Espie. This means we will no longer offer guided or formal school visits to the site. Self-guided sessions will still continue.

Events will still run at WWT Castle Espie, offering visitors opportunities to get up close to wetland wildlife, and experience the expansive wetland landscapes that stretch across the Strangford Lough.

The closure of the collection exhibits and our formal education offer are permanent. However, we will be considering new and positive ways to engage visitors and groups from all walks of life as we look ahead to refocussing the site. We hope to trial some new engagement and education offers in the future.

As part of this process, we will monitor and review the changes we have made, and take feedback on board where appropriate.

: This webpage will be updated regularly over the coming months, as we work through this change process. We will also contact members and supporters directly via email, and share updates on our WWT Castle Espie Facebook and Instagram pages.

As part of our work to ensure WWT is operating in a financially sustainable way, we're looking at ways to improve and adapt how we work across all of our 10 wetland sites, as well as in our central teams.

Each of our sites has their own unique character, challenges and opportunities, and each serve their own purpose to their communities and members. So, we must individualise and adapt the operation of each site, to properly safeguard their long-term future.

For some time, our sites with historically lower visitor numbers, including WWT Castle Espie, have been operating in a financial deficit. Until recently, our sites which attract more visitors and investment, have been able to support and subsidise them. However, as rising costs and financial pressures increase, this model is no longer sustainable. This means we must reduce the financial deficit gap, and bring our sites like WWT Castle Espie closer to a place where our costs aren't outweighing our income.

Information for members

: Our friendly Supporter Services team are available by telephone: 01453 891198 or via email: supporter@wwt.org.uk.

As a charity, we can't do our work without the incredible support of our members and supporters, and we want to thank every single person who visits our sites, engages with our work and is helping us create a movement to protect our superpowered wetlands for generations to come.

As a valued member, your support is more important than ever. However, if you would like to discuss options for your membership please contact our supporter services team on: 01453 891198 or supporter@wwt.org.uk.

: From volunteering and donating, to sharing our story and visiting our sites, there are many ways that you can support our work that we do to restore wetlands and unlock their powers. If you would like to donate to support WWT Castle Espie, you can donate on our website.