Please note that due to personal circumstances, I have not been able to maintain this site for a number of years. During that time a number of these centres have closed down. Hopefully, I will have more time in the near future & will update this page with details of sites that are still open & remove those which aren't. I can confidently state that The Raptor Foundation is still open & I am still volunteering there.
Life Care Hospital for Birds of Prey: at weekends, staffed mainly by a group of volunteers (including me when I can get there) who devote their spare time to looking after injured & unwanted birds of prey. The Raptor Foundation has over 250 birds & over 40 different species of raptor. Given good weather, around 40 birds are flown each day, on 3 flying displays (2 displays when it gets dark early). In the event of bad weather, there is an indoor flying area where many birds can be flown. Lots of audience participation at the end of each display. Open every day of the year, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years day. The Raptor Foundation now runs experience days, hunting days & falconry courses.
Where To Find Them
The Raptor Foundation, The Heath, St Ives Rd, Woodhurst, Cambs, PE28 3BT
Tel : 01487 741140
Fax : 01487 841140
An excellent centre with one of the worlds largest & most varied selection of owls from the very small Pygmy Owls to Eagle Owls, it is one of the few places where Fish Owls may be seen. The World Owl Trust is the UK's only national owl organisation, providing advice to individuals, organisations & public authorities on all matters of owl conservation. The World Owl Trust is dedicated to the worldwide study & conservation of owls and carries out an extensive breeding program. The World Owl Trust was based in Muncaster castle, but is presently setting up a new site elsewhere.
Where To Find Them
This is a smallish centre, with around 100 birds, next door to the Batsford Arboretum (joint entrance tickets are available). The flying displays are aimed educating the audience as much as entertaining them. The centre also puts on displays at weekends at the nearby during the summer months (at least this year, 2001).
Where To Find Them
Cotswold Falconry Centre, Batsford Park, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9QB
Tel : 01386 701043
Large centre with a good selection of birds. Actively involved with reintroduction of the common buzzard, kestrels, sparrowhawks, tawny & Little owls in the South of the country.
Where To Find Them
The Hawk Conservancy, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8DY
Tel : 01264 773850
Fax : 01264 773772
Small centre, located at the edge of Keilder Water resevoir. As well as the expected selection of birds, the flying displays include a selection of new & old world vultures.
Open throughout the year, as well as being a visitor centre, they have a Captive Breeding Programme for birds of prey.
This centre was been recommended to me by Mieke, who contacted me via the comments page.
Where To Find Them
Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder, Northumberland. NE48 1AX
Tel : 01424 250400
Out Of Hours : 0191 413 9043
Previously known simply as "Gauntlet Birds of Prey", based near Nether Alderley in Cheshire. From March 6th 2004, this birds of prey centre is moving to larger premises in Knutsford. Runs falconry courses & visits to schools.
Daily events are : Vulture Restaurant at Midday, flying display at 12.20, Meet and Greet and another display at 3pm.
Where To Find Them
Gauntlet Birds of Prey, Eagle and Vulture Park, c/o Fryer's Rose Nurseries and Garden Centre, Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire. WA16 0SX
Tel : 01565 754419
Birds of Prey Centre in Kent, with an emphasis on eagles. Situated at the top of a hill looking down into the Darent Valley, this gives an impressive view of the eagles flying below you. The flying demonstration includes Bald Eagles taking their food from a small pond. Be aware the the closest junction on the M25 is also the nearest junction to Brands Hatch (this comes from having the experience of going on the same day that 90000 people in around 24000 cars went to Brands Hatch on a boiling hot day & finding the thermostatic switch on the car radiator had failed.)
Where To Find Them
Eagle Heights, Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0BJ
Tel : 01322 866466
Fax : 01322 861024
Situated in the walled gardens of Lowther Castle. Open from March through to September, with 3 flying displays each day.
NOTE - the centre is NOT open during 2022 - see their website for more information.
Where To Find Them
Lakeland Birds Of Prey Centre, Lowther, Penrith, Cumbria. CA10 2HH.
Tel: 01931 712746
The Centre is open 7 days a week from the 1st of March to the 31st of October, with over 70 birds from 30 species.
Where To Find Them
Falconry UK Ltd, Sion Hill Hall, Kirby Wiske, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4EU
Tel : 01845 587522
A small centre close to Loch Lomond, recently moved & rebuilt (if you have been before, go to the same garden centre & instead of turning left you now go through the garden centre). They have around 38 birds comprising 26 different species in total, ranging in size from the Little Owl up to the Golden Eagle. Open throughout the year (times vary throughout the year & are on the website), except Christmas Day & New Years Day, but may be closed due to external events (website has details of these). This is a very friendly centre which, unlike most centres, aims to give you a very personal visit by having volunteers & staff take all visitors on a guided tour, with a lot of information about the background of their individual birds as well as the particular species. They also run introductory days, hawk walks & hunting days and are available for school visits & parties (children over 5 only).
Where To Find Them
Loch Lomond Birds Of Prey, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, Alexandria, G83 8QL
Tel : 01389 729239
A family run upland sheep farm of approximately 200 acres, with nature trail. It is the official Kite Country red kite feeding station.The Red Kites are fed at 2pm GMT each day (this means 3pm during BST). Closely associated with the Welsh Kite Trust.
Where To Find Them
Gigrin Farm, South Street, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5BL
Tel : 01597 810243
A non-profit making education & conservation organisation also acting as a sanctuary for a small number of birds (unwanted pets). The centre house various species of owls, hawks & buzzards other than barn owls. It runs several courses for those interested in different aspects of keeping & flying raptors & is open to the public at weekends.
Where To Find Them
Netheridge Farm, Netheridge Close, Hempsted, Gloucester, GL2 5LE
Tel : 01452 383999
This centre has moved from Chatelherault Country Park and was a small centre attached to a garden centre at a country park on the outskirts of Glasgow. They have now moved to Cumbernauld Outdoor Centre further outside Glasgow.
Where To Find Them
Blairlinn Cottage, Luggiebank, Cumbernauld, G67 4AA
Tel: 01236 722999
A rescue centre for animals & birds of prey. Open all year round, weather permitting there are flying displays, but this is at the discretion of the falconer.
Where To Find Them
Fletcher's County Garden Centre, Stone Road, Eccleshall, Staffordshire ST21 6JY
Tel : 01785 850379
Fax : 01785 850379