Vale Royal Falconry Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
WHERE
Northwich
What it’s like
Hands-on falconry experience days where kids aged 8 and up fly hawks and owls, try archery and meet meerkats, all by appointment only.
This one is about getting a bird on your glove, not watching one from behind a fence. Experience days here let kids handle and fly hawks and owls themselves, with falcon stooping, owl flight and a hawk dash all part of the programme. There's a meerkat experience too, and archery if the birds haven't tired anyone out yet.
It suits the older end of primary school and up. The minimum age is 8, which makes sense once you picture a six-year-old holding a hawk on a glove, and it means this isn't one for a family with a toddler in tow. Everything is booked by phone rather than online, and you'll need to call ahead rather than just turning up, since it runs as an appointment-only operation with no walk-up visits.
Timing matters more than usual here. The best months are April to September, and experience days involving the birds are limited or unavailable over winter because of weather and bird flu restrictions, so a spring or summer booking is the safer bet if flying a falcon is the whole point of the trip. Office hours for booking run 10.30am to 5.30pm March to October, dropping to 10.30am to 2.30pm November to February.
There's a picnic area on site if you want to bring your own food and make a day of it. Birthday parties are also on offer for groups from age 8, either hosted at the centre between April and September or with the falconry team coming out to you, owls and all.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 8 and up, hands-on with hawks and owls
- Booking
- Phone to book. Diary managed in person
- Parties
- Birthday parties available. Groups from 8 yrs with hands-on activities
- No walk-up visits, everything is by phone booking only
- Bring a picnic, there's a picnic area on site
- April to September is the reliable window for the full falconry experience
- They'll also come to your own venue with owls for a talk and handling session
Plan your visit
How do we book?
You call to arrange it, there's no online booking. The number is on their site and the diary is managed in person.
What age is this suitable for?
Eight and up. It's a genuinely hands-on day with birds of prey so younger children aren't included.
Can we visit in winter?
Off-site owl visits run all year, but the main falconry experience days are limited or unavailable in winter due to weather and bird flu restrictions. Spring, summer and autumn are the reliable seasons.
What do you actually do on the day?
Handle and fly hawks and owls, watch falcon stooping and owl flight, try archery and meet the meerkats.
Do you do birthday parties?
Yes, for groups from age 8 with hands-on activities. They can host you at the centre between April and September or bring the birds to your venue instead.
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