Shorelife Celebration at WWT Castle Espie

Saturday 4 October | 10am - 5pm
WWT Castle Espie, Comber

FREE admission for all

Part of the Shorelife Celebration

Join us at WWT Castle Espie on Saturday 5 October, for a vibrant celebration of all that is wonderful about our shore. This free-entry event promises a day filled with fun activities, engaging talks and tours, live music, and delicious local food and drink (available at the Kingfisher Café).

Admission is free for all, members and non-members. No booking necessary.

Explore the natural beauty of our shoreline while enjoying a variety of activities designed for all ages.

Event Highlights

•    Fun Activities: Enjoy outdoor games in the courtyard. Keep an eye out for themed characters who will be exploring Castle Espie, and listen to some storytelling - why not bring and old book and swap for another at the Book Nook?

•    Engaging Talks and Tours: Learn about the local wildlife, conservation efforts, and the history of WWT Castle Espie through guided tours and expert talks.

•    Live Music: Enjoy performances from local musicians throughout the day.

Find the Brent Geese

Find the Brent Geese hidden around the venue and claim a small prize when you return it to the Ards and North Down Borough Council Visitor Information Centre caravan. (Prizes are subject to availability).

Get creative, and close to nature

•    Enjoy free entertainment and creative activities for all ages, live music and a few surprises as you explore the grounds. 

•    Mini beasts backpacks - borrow a mini beast backpack, perfect for budding wildlife explorers. Kids can use their very own magnifying bug collector and binoculars to take a closer look at all kinds of wildlife and bugs. 

Special Guests

•    Hear from representatives from WWT Castle Espie and local environmental organisations, who you will find in the hides and lookout points, they will be sharing their insights and answering your questions. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about appreciating and protecting our beautiful shoreline.

Creative Peninsula Artists 

We welcome Creative Peninsula artists to the Shorelife Celebration. The Creative Peninsula is Northern Ireland's premier celebration of professional Art and Craft, find out more. These artists will showcase their works, and provide demonstrations and workshops for visitors to enjoy.

Let’s celebrate the beauty and rich biodiversity of our stunning coastline. 

Make a break of it

Stay a while and take a break on our shores. Relax in the beauty of this place, offering everything from 5 star luxury to cosy guest houses or unique self-catering options, maybe camping and caravanning is more your thing, let us help you plan your perfect getaway. 

Find out more and Plan Your Trip to Ards and North Down.

Plan Your Trip to the Shorelife Celebration

The Shorelife Celebration takes place mainly outdoors and with Northern’s Ireland changeable weather please come prepared, raincoats and wellies advised. To make your day out as enjoyable as possible, please use this section to plan your trip.

Free Pre-bookable Event Shuttle Bus 

A rotational service will run all day.

This will be a hop on hop off bus for customers to enjoy both Mount Stewart and Castle Espie and visitors will have the choice of attending the host of activities in both locations.

More details coming soon.

Parking 

Please note that parking at both sites is limited, and we strongly recommend using public transport to attend the event - public buses or via the free pre-bookable event buses.

For more information on bus routes and timetables please check the Translink website.

WWT Castle Espie Facilities and Accessibility Information

For information about the event site including accessibility and facilities click here.

Maps can be enlarged, please ask ahead of your visit.

Recycling 

When disposing of rubbish please use the recycling stations when on-site, located at the Cafe Courtyard. 

First Aid 

St John's Ambulance will be in attendance.

Trained assistance dogs 

Please note that only trained assistance dogs are welcome on site. 

Toilet Facilities 

2 additional accessible toilets, in addition to the 2 accessible toilets at Castle Espie.

Accessoloo will also be in attendance. Accessoloo is a toilet facility for disabled people that has the right equipment, including Adult Changing Table, Ceiling Hoist, Lavatory, Grab Rails, Hot and Cold Running Water and Heating and Lighting. Find out more about Accessoloo. 

If you have any specific questions about accessibility, then please feel free to call WWT Castle Espie on 028 9187 4146 and staff can discuss it with you and help you plan your day.

Sustainability

We encourage visitors to travel via public transport and buses provided. Please bring reusable bags to pick up goodies at the event. Read more about Sustainability.

Shorelife Celebration is brought to you by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with WWT Castle Espie and National Trust - Mount Stewart.

Please note:

• Shorelife Celebration at WWT Castle Espie is a free to attend event, however charges apply to some event activities and purchases at the event.
• Some activity will be ticketed and must be pre-booked in advance. Ts and Cs apply to ticketed activity.
• Online booking fees apply where relevant. None when booking in person or by phone via our Visitor Information Centres.

• Event details are subject to change.
• Further detail to follow - Keep checking the website, follow our facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates.
• This event is being photographed/filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional material. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff.
• This event is a no drone zone. Only official event drones authorised by the event organisers are permitted.