When will BBC Winterwatch be broadcast from Mount Stewart?

BBC Winterwatch 2026 is scheduled to broadcast from Mount Stewart for four nights.

How has Storm Éowyn affected Mount Stewart?

Storm Éowyn destroyed over 10,000 trees at Mount Stewart, but has also created new habitats for wildlife.

What climate change adaptations are happening at Mount Stewart?

The National Trust is relocating significant plant collections inland due to rising sea levels and increased salinity.

Home / Environment / Storm's Aftermath: Nature Thrives at Mount Stewart

Storm's Aftermath: Nature Thrives at Mount Stewart

20 Jan

•

Summary

BBC Winterwatch 2026 will broadcast from Northern Ireland for the first time.
Mount Stewart estate showcases nature's resilience after Storm Éowyn's destruction.
Climate change prompts National Trust to relocate collections inland at Mount Stewart.

Storm's Aftermath: Nature Thrives at Mount Stewart

Mount Stewart estate on the Ards Peninsula will host BBC Winterwatch 2026, marking the program's first broadcast from Northern Ireland. The four-night event will showcase the estate's natural recovery following Storm Éowyn, which destroyed over 10,000 trees a year prior. Despite significant damage, nature is thriving, with fallen trees creating new habitats for diverse insect and amphibian life, supporting a complex food chain including red squirrels and birds of prey.

The National Trust is implementing long-term strategies to manage the estate's landscape, recognizing the increasing likelihood of extreme weather events due to climate change. As sea levels rise and salinity increases, the gardens team is preparing to move the estate's significant plant collection inland from the coast. This proactive measure aims to protect the historical horticultural assets and ensure their survival.