Bird Gardens Scotland CIC
BEST FOR
Ages 5-18
ENTRY
from £8
WHERE
Lauder
What it’s like
A close-up flamingo encounter plus geese, swans and pheasants to meet in the grounds near Lauder.
The big draw here is the Flamingo Experience, a proper close encounter rather than just looking at them from behind a fence. Beyond that there's a wander round meeting geese, swans, ducks, pheasants and various domestic birds, which suits kids who like getting stuck in rather than just spotting things from a distance.
It's aimed at 5 to 18 year olds rather than toddlers, which makes sense once you think about handling birds safely. Entry is £8 for children and the same for concessions, and there's a nice touch buried in the practicalities: pay once and you get a year's access, so if your kids get the bug you're not paying full whack every visit. Opening is 10am to 4:30pm daily.
There's a café on site, and if you're driving over with the dog it's welcome on a lead in the café and on the patio, just not out in the grounds with the birds. Birthday parties get an animal encounter thrown in, which beats a bouncy castle, though glitter, confetti and balloons are banned for the animals' sake, so leave the party bag fillers at home.
Parties run from £15 a head with a classroom booked for three hours, grounds access and catering included, though there's a £60 deposit and numbers are capped between 4 and 12, so it suits a smallish guest list rather than the whole class.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 to 18, too hands-on for toddlers
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs on a lead welcome in the cafe and cafe patio only
- Getting there by bus or train
- Borders Buses Route 51 stops at Bird Gardens Scotland in Oxton
- Parties
- Party package from £15 per person (min 4, max 12), includes classroom for 3 hrs, grounds access, catering, and animal encounter
- Worth knowing
- Pay for the day and visit for a year
- Glitter, confetti and balloons aren't allowed at parties, for the animals' wellbeing
- Pay for entry once and it covers you for a full year
- Borders Buses Route 51 stops right at the gardens if you're not driving
- Dogs can join you in the café but not out among the birds
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£8 for children aged 5 to 18, and £8 for concessions too. Pay once and it covers you for a year.
Do we need to book ahead?
No, booking isn't required, you can just turn up during opening hours.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
Not really, it's aimed at ages 5 to 18 rather than the very young.
What can the kids actually do there?
Meet geese, swans, ducks, pheasants and domestic birds around the grounds, plus the Flamingo Experience, which is a proper close encounter.
Can we bring the dog?
Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in the café and on the café patio, but not out in the grounds.
What's included in a birthday party?
£15 a person gets you a classroom for three hours, grounds access, catering and an animal encounter. There's a £60 deposit and numbers run from 4 to 12 guests.
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