ShoreLife WWT Castle Espie Free Activities

Free, non-bookable activities for all the family at WWT Castle Espie.

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

Please note: There are bookable activities too— so if something catches your eye, be sure to secure your ticket - on sale soon!

As well as the non-bookable activity below, visitors will be able to enjoy displays and informative stalls centred around nature, sustainability and preservation...

Event Highlights

Archery Taster Sessions | Great for all the family! See Highlights section details below.

Wildlife Discovery | Visit the Hide to watch ducks, swans, and Brent geese up close, with expert staff on hand to share stories and facts.

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

Global Guardians and the Superpowers of Wetlands | A talk by WWT Project Manager Alex Hughes. See Highlights section details below.

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.

Whispers in the Wetlands | A family fun activity led by Mrs Maker is Art. See Highlights section details below.

Weave the Wild Shore with Kiri Cottage Crafts | A drop-in art activity. See Highlights section details below.

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.

Castle Espie Resident Ceramicist | A drop-in art activity. See Highlights section details below.

National Museums NI (NMNI): CEDaR | Come, chat with the team and learn about how you can participate in biological recording and contribute to citizen science. They’ll be bringing fascinating marine specimens, informative guides and facts of the species and habitats that can be found around the local coast and shoreline.

All details are subject to change.

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Highlights

Shorelife Celebration: WWT Castle Espie Resident Ceramicist family workshop

Join WWT Castle Espie Resident Ceramicist artist Tracey Johnston in The Bothy at WWT Castle Espie for this fun clay workshop.
Shorelife Celebration: Archery Taster Sessions

Join Strangford Lough Activity Centre at WWT Castle Espie for Archery Taster Sessions from 11am - 4pm.
Shorelife Celebration: Whispers in the Wetlands

Led by local artist Mrs Maker is Art, visitors of all ages are invited throughout the day to add their own quiet "whisper" to the artist-led community artwork canvas through drawing, colour, texture, fingerprints and simple mark-making.
Shorelife Celebration: Weave the Wild Shore with Kiri Cottage Crafts

Celebrate the wonders of shore life at Castle Espie with a creative, hands-on weaving workshop led by Christine from Kiri Cottage Crafts.
Shorelife Celebration: Global Guardians and the Superpowers of Wetlands

Wetlands need global guardians. In this interactive talk, Alex Hughes shares stories from WWT's international work, exploring how wetland heroes around the world are helping wildlife and people thrive together. Discover the power of wetlands and the role we can all play in protecting these remarkable places.