Wildlife in Castlewellan Historic Demesne

Castlewellan Forest Park is more than just a fantastic outdoor recreational space. It is home to some very special residents. If you keep a keen eye out, you may spot a red squirrel scampering up a tree or hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the surrounding woodland.

Covering 460 hectares (4.6km²), the forest park lies within Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark. Biodiverse rich habitats found in the park include the lake itself, which, due to the variety of aquatic flora and fauna that rely on it its unpolluted water is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

Celebrating and protecting our biodiveristy is at the heart of Castlewellan Forest Park, if you are interested in taking an active role in helping us protect our wildlife or would like information on our environmental education programme please contact us.