Take a stroll around the seven-acre lake, wander through woodland and ramble across acres of parkland. Mount Stewart’s country estate is the perfect place to soak up the sights, sounds and scents of the season while younger visitors can run wild in the natural play area.
Winter highlights on the estate at Mount Stewart
Winter is a great time to explore the estate, as fewer trees on the leaves mean more chances of glimpsing elusive wildlife and dramatic views of the estate.
A variety of wildlife call Mount Stewart their home. This winter watch large flocks of goldfinches fly overhead or see the gadwall swimming on the lake. Watch wintering redwings feeding on berries, flocks of finches flying past and colourful jays rustling around for food. You'll also find linnets and reed buntings on the field margins. Rooks, crows and jackdaws are plentiful at this time of year, and not forgetting the familiar robins who provide some winter cheer.
Top tips for spotting wildlife
Mount Stewart is one of the best places in Northern Ireland to spot red squirrels. You're most likely to encounter them in the early morning or late afternoon, behind the house and to the north of the lake. And don’t miss the flocks of light-bellied brent geese feeding on eelgrass on Strangford Lough.
Wrap up warm, and don’t forget your camera.
Head out for a winter walk
Blow away the winter cobwebs and stride out on a frosty walk through the country estate. With miles of footpaths and trails to explore, there’s plenty to see on a stroll through the demesne. Discover the 12th-century Norman motte, and the picturesque folly ruins amid the ancient woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels, colourful jays and the occasional badger on these walks. Choose your route from one of our many walking trails, or why not come back and complete them all.
We were delighted to welcome the BBC Springwatch team to Mount Stewart in May 2025. 2025 year marked the 20th anniversary of this special series, which has beamed live images of UK wildlife into our homes, sharing the highs and lows of various species with viewers everywhere.
We looked forward to seeing the cameras get up close and personal with the unique range of wildlife that lives in and around the grounds of Mount Stewart.
Springwatch 2025 brought some magical moments of nature watching from 26 May. For three weeks, viewers enjoyed stories from our colleagues at Longshaw – National Trust, Rathlin Island, and from 9 June, highlights from Mount Stewart. The programme featured wonderful wildlife that relies on the mixture of important habitats in our landscapes, including stories about the recovering populations of Red Squirrels and Pine Martens, Brown long-eared bats and how recent major storms created surprising opportunities for nature and wildlife at Mount Stewart.
Where to Watch
There was plenty of excitement from nests, setts, burrows and roosts across the demesne. The programme was broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer from Monday to Thursday, 26 May to 12 June at 8pm, with Mount Stewart featured from 9–12 June. Viewers can still catch up on iPlayer.
Rosemary Edwards, Executive Producer of Springwatch, said:
“In celebration of our 20th anniversary year, we wanted to broadcast live from two brand new locations that offered new habitats and exciting new wildlife stories.
That ambition led us to the National Trust Longshaw Estate in the Peak District and to create a live travelogue through the wild spots of Northern Ireland.
Longshaw, where presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan were based, is alive with activity at this time of year and its upland habitats offered the opportunity to put hidden cameras on a range of species for the first time, including the Red Listed ring ouzel, whinchats, and the moorland curlew.
Presenter Iolo Williams embarked on a very different journey through Northern Ireland. Starting in Belfast, he explored the city’s harbourside and unexpected wild spots within the inner city, watching guillemots, terns, swifts, and more. He then travelled to Rathlin, one of Northern Ireland’s richest wildlife islands and a vital breeding ground for many seabird species, and home to the famous golden hare. Iolo ended his journey at the National Trust’s Mount Stewart Estate, which boasts 10,000 recorded wildlife species in habitats ranging from woodland glades to ghost ponds, hedgerows and a tidal lough.
Filming in new locations is always a challenge, but getting to know the wildlife and uncovering new, uplifting stories about our native flora and fauna never ceases to excite us.”
Looking Ahead to Winterwatch 2026
We’re thrilled to share that Winterwatch will be coming to Mount Stewart in January 2026, continuing the celebration of our rich and diverse natural heritage.
The woodlands, gardens, lake and coastline at Mount Stewart support a wide range of wildlife. Red squirrels can often be seen in the trees, the elusive Pine Marten has returned to the woodlands, while otters are occasionally spotted along the shores of Strangford Lough. The area is also home to bats, badgers, and a variety of amphibians such as frogs and newts. Bird species including buzzards, swans, woodpeckers and treecreepers are regularly recorded, along with many types of insects and butterflies.
We don’t yet know exactly what the wildlife camera crew will capture during their visit, but their footage will help us learn more about the species that live here and how they use the landscape.
Be a wise wildlife watcher
Wildlife watching can be so rewarding, but it’s important to do it in a way that doesn’t disturb the species you want to see or damage the landscapes that they need for food and shelter.
Here are 3 top tips to help you see more wildlife and look after the places they live.
Keep your distance – don’t get too close to whatever species you are watching. Your presence could scare them and stop them in their tracks or frighten them away.
Activate your stealth mode – silence is golden and the aim is to go unnoticed by the wildlife you are watching so go quietly and don’t hang around in one place for too long.
Leave no trace – make sure you are not damaging the spaces that our species call home, and everything they need to live and thrive. Leave plants and vegetation intact, take your litter home and don’t light fires or barbecues.
Fun for families
There are lots of things for families to do at Mount Stewart. Here are just a few ideas.
Head to the Magic Inkpot Natural Play Area for big fun in the middle of the woods. Younger visitors can run, jump, skip and hop over the natural obstacles, letting their imaginations run wild as they spot animals and creatures carved into the trees.
Tick off some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾'
Head outdoors and get your little ones closer to nature this winter. Are you ready to try out 50 of the wildest, most fun-packed and exciting things to do in the great outdoors?
Geocaching is an exciting outdoor adventure for the whole family – all you need is a hand-held GPS or smartphone and a thirst for adventure. Search for over 40 geocaches hidden on the estate, as you explore new trails and have a go at puzzles. To get started, download the Geocaching app on a smartphone, log in and get seeking.
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Discover more at Mount Stewart
Find out when Mount Stewart is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Discover Mount Stewart with your dog. With acres of parkland to explore there's plenty of space for them to bound, sniff, jump and splash. Mount Stewart is a two pawprint rated place.
Tuck into a menu of freshly prepared dishes made with local and seasonal produce in the tea-room, and treat yourself or someone special in the gift shop.
Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.
Whether you're looking for a heart-raising hike up Northern Ireland's highest mountain or a ramble by the river at The Argory, there are many countryside and woodland places to experience in Northern Ireland. Enjoy woodland respite at Minnowburn with the forest bathing beds or escape to the wild landscape of County Fermanagh with the countryside adventures at Florence Court, Castle Coole and Crom.
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
