National Birds of Prey Centre - Newent

The centre houses on of the most significant collections of Birds of Prey in the UK with over 60 species of Owls, Eagles and Hawks. The Centre has played a major part in the captive breeding of many species and continues to be involved in breeding and conservation of many important species, with new species laying eggs each year.
The International Centre for Birds of Prey is the oldest bird of prey centre in the UK and one of the friendliest. The atmosphere here is great and visitors always say they feel like a part of the family, which is nice to hear. As you arrive you will see first of all the tiny Burrowing Owls, Ruby, Rival and Wayside, who are nothing if not very talkative as your first welcome. Probably a Labrador or two will be your next welcome and no the little one is not a puppy, it’s our Patterdale Terrier who is in disgrace right now as he keeps getting stuck under the decking trying to eat the wild baby rabbits! The Hawk Walk is where you will wander through on your way to the flying ground. This is where most of the trained birds are kept, and the individual birds and the species will change through the year as older birds get a rest period and young ones start work again. There could be a huge Steller’s Sea Eagle or a tiny American Kestrel, a handsome Peregrine or a mad looking Goshawk. There are usually between 20 and 38 birds living here, and all are flown every day.

Through the gates at the bottom you can either turn sharp left and go straight down to the flying ground, or keep on and look round all the aviaries, it depends on your choice and the flying times. Each demonstration in the field is completely different with differing birds on every one. Just watch behind you as you walk down through the archway of trees to the benches, the next bird might be coming behind you fast and low under the trees!!

If you are interested in photography and a challenge, the flying demonstrations will give you plenty of opportunities, with some of the birds flying just over the top of your head, and on occasion it seems like they are flying down your lens! Some birds are slow and easy, some are fast and almost impossible. All are wonderful to watch and we are delighted if you get good photos, in fact – keep an eye out for the annual photography competition; you never know you might win!

While you are in the field you can walk round it, two ponds that have been recently cleared and extended will soon be full of wildlife again. In the spring the field is full of wild daffodils, which are very pretty. The wood to the side has paths through it, say hello to the dogs who have lived and died here, this is their place. The field is also a good place for picnics in the warmer weather.

Opening Times and Prices

 We are open 7 days a week, from 10.30am to 5.30pm

The Centre closes for the Winter during December and January

 

Adults £10.00

Children (4-15) £6.50

Senior Citizens £9.00

Family Ticket (2+2) £30.00

We fly the birds every day; up to forty will be flown daily in the summer months when the new birds are joining the team. Most of the demonstrations are outdoors in the flying grounds, an excellent chance for photography. However in poor weather we fly indoors with teams of birds that will happily manage inside, so whatever the weather you will see birds fly on your visit. We hold three flying demonstrations daily- there is a different team for each demo, so why not come for all of them?

 

Feb 1st - Mar 27th:      11.30am       1.30pm     3.30pm

 

Mar 27th - Sept 30th:      11.30am     2.00pm     4.15pm

 

Oct 1st - Nov 30th:      11.30am      1.30pm      3.30pm

During the day you may see training sessions in between official flying times. You are welcome to watch, but try to keep still and quiet to help the young birds in training. If there is a special bird or species you want to see, phone to see if and when it might be on flying demonstration work