Summertime might be over but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some family fun. I decided to take a day out with my lot to Castle Espie to see the ducks.
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Because we live in a world where money is needed to survive, Latte Lindsay runs a number of affiliate programmes and offers contributed or partnered content. If you choose to click the links and read the posts, the site may earn a commission or receives a payment. All of the opinions are my own. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any partner brands/company(s), beauty & lifestyle brands, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities unless specified.
Castle Espie is a wetlands reserve in Northern Ireland that is home to a variety of ducks and geese. The day that we visited was Solar Day and my son, Jack, got to meet Derek Heatly, a local man who is heading to space with Virgin Galatic. Unfortunately, Jack became shy for the first time in his life and refused to have a photo taken or say a word to Derek. But he did get some signed pictures.
We set off around the lake and headed for some pond dipping. This is really fun for the kids because they can get their hands dirty with nets and mini-ponds to explore what lives in the wetlands. You can dip for pond skaters, newts, even spiders. Yay! If you manage to catch something, you can take it over to an observation station and have a look at your catch with a microscopic camera.
As you head further around the lakes, you will find a Stone Age settlement complete with the Crannog. You can go inside and look at the view of Strangford Lough. From here you can see the freshwater lagoon and the saline lagoon. But if you want a really great view, walk on around to the Limekiln observatory. Inside the observatory, you can look over the lough through the viewfinder and listen to audio files about the history of the area.
It’s not all lakes and ducks. Travel back towards the main office and there is a kids playground, the woods, a tree house, and zip wire. We didn’t get to try out all the fun stuff, just the woods and the playground. Although we missed these bits, we got to see some baby ducks and geese in the duckery.
If you want some more inspiration for day trips, check out my post about Mount Stewart.
I enjoyed reading your post! Those pictures are great! I would love to visit Ireland. Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a great place to visit. One day, I hope I can! 🙂 Love your photos a lot!
Seems that you guys had so much fun. Love the idea of visiting a place that all the family can enjoy. I would definitely include Castle Espie in my travel plans.
This looks like you had a great day! And how awesome you got to meet someone headed to SPACE! What a great opportunity!
Ireland is in top in our bucket list. We heard from one of our friend who recently visited to Ireland. And after that we replaced Ireland with Srilanka which is in top of our list. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Oh wow this sounds like a lovely place to go and visit. I have to admit I do areas like this, just getting out into nature and exploring. I miss doing it as much a sI used to.
It must have been so cool to meet someone who will be traveling into space in the near future. Looks like Castle Espie is definitely worth going for a day trip, with so many things to do there especially for the children.
Looks and sounds like a famy friendly and fun place to visit. My son loves places with lakes and getting to feed ducks.
This looks like such a magical place. A fun family friendly area! Thanks for sharing
I want to go to Ireland again. My husband has been a few times and I’ve heard the Stone Buildings are wonderful.
I want to go here one day! What a cool place. I know I’d have a blast in Ireland.
What a fun day of outdoors and adventure for the kiddos. Ireland is definitely on my list of dream destinations!
Thanks for introducing us to Castle Espie a wetlands reserve in Northern Ireland. Great place to visit!
It looks like you had a fun day! I love visiting places like that with my family.
Sounds like such a cute adventure. Thanks for sharing. Northern Ireland looks like a treat.
Looks really cute and fun adventure! Would love to visit Ireland and see these and the country’s wonders
Looks like an awesome day and an awesome place for family!
Wooow! Those photos look fun! I’m really glad that your kids had so much fun in this place.