Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Bird flying shows, animal talks and a sandpit play area at a centre built around owls, raptors and reptiles.
The birds are the whole point here. You'll catch flying shows out on the grass field, plus talks that cover storks, fish and reptiles too, so there's more happening across the day than just wandering between enclosures. Kids get a proper play area on top of that, with a sandpit, balance trails and a fort to climb about on.
It's £10 for a child and £15.95 for an adult, or £47.90 for a family of four, and that's before Gift Aid adds its bit to conservation work. Not cheap for an afternoon, but the flying shows and talks are the sort of thing that fills a good few hours rather than a quick loop round. Typical opening is 10am to 4pm, stretching to 5pm in peak season, with last admission an hour before close either way.
The Chilkat café does hot and cold sandwiches, drinks and ice creams if you need to refuel between shows. Parking's free in a large gravel car park, and the main pathways are wheelchair and pushchair friendly with ramps and a proper drop-off point. Worth knowing the sandpit's woodchip surface and the grassy flying field can be tricky going for wheelchairs, especially after rain.
One genuine faff: dogs aren't allowed inside, since they distress the birds, though there are onsite kennels if you've brought one along. Walk-ins are fine too, no need to book ahead even for groups.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- Last admission 3:00pm (yellow days), 4:00pm (green days)
- Parking
- Large gravel car park, free
- Food
- Chilkat café offers cold and hot sandwiches, drinks, sweet treats and ice creams
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible and friendly
- Dogs
- Not allowed inside the centre (causes distress to birds), but onsite kennels available
- The flying show field is grass, so wet weather can make it uneven underfoot
- Group visits don't need advance booking either, just walk in
- Gift Aid adds 25p per £1 to your ticket at no extra cost to you
- Onsite kennels mean you don't have to leave a dog in the car
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£15.95 for an adult, £10 for a child aged 3 to 15, or £47.90 for a family of four. Prices are a bit lower without Gift Aid added.
Do we need to book ahead?
No, it's walk-ins only, even for group bookings. Turn up and pay on the day.
What time does it open and close?
10am to 4pm on typical days, stretching to 5pm in peak season. Last admission is an hour before closing either way.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Chilkat café does hot and cold sandwiches, drinks, sweet treats and ice creams. There's a picnic area too if you'd rather bring your own.
Can dogs come along?
Not inside the centre, as it distresses the birds. There are onsite kennels if you need somewhere to leave one.
Is it OK for a wheelchair or pushchair?
Mostly yes: there's a wheelchair-friendly drop-off point, ramped pathways and an accessible toilet. The sandpit's woodchip surface and the grassy flying show field can be harder going, especially in wet weather.
Is there parking?
A large gravel car park, and it's free.
Are there discounts for disabled visitors?
Discounted tickets are available for disabled visitors and their carers with documentation like a Blue Badge, DLA/PIP letter or Access Card.
What do the animal talks and shows actually cover?
Bird flying shows plus talks on storks, fish and reptiles. It's more than just birds despite the name.
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