the rutland falconry and owl centre

A great opportunity to get up close to the owls who all have fantastic names! Loved wondering around Albert Square to meet Ronnie and Reggie! Very rugged but then I believe the owner is keeping everything as natural to the Owls normal habitat. Take walking boots/shoes, don't expect anything too perfect and just enjoy!

A fantastic experience to handle such amazing creatures I spent two hours learning to handle a long horned owl called misty and had the privalidge of a hawk fly to my hand to take food The staff are brilliant especially Chris and are very thorough in their talks Set in beautiful natural woodland and a friendly atmosphere.Did not know there were that many different owls.highly recommend for family day out.

My husband and I visited on a beautiful but cold sunny Sunday in February. Although first impressions are of a rustic nature, with limited facilities, it is all about being as close as possible to nature. There are over 150 owls and falcons in 42 acres of woodland. If visiting do make sure you take wellies or walking boots - it does get muddy.Staff are extremely helpful and informative. If you are able to, the handling experiences are a must, you can handle a variety of owls or falcons and take them for a walk on your hand through the woods, which is simply fantastic. You also have the opportunity for feeding the owls or falcons by getting them to fly to the hand.Well worth a visit. Thoroughly enjoyable.

went with family to this tucked away centre. a bit basic, but that's reflected in the price. you can hold the bird, get really close. catering & toilets are basic, but I think with time this attraction will grow, but then I guess id lose its identity which I really enjoyed

If you want to handle an owl or hawk this is the place to come. You get your own bird for over an hour and get taught how to handle it. There are a wide variety of birds to see on site from vultures to tiny owls, some of which have been rescued. The centre is in a wood and is rustic in nature, so don't expect it to be cosy or have extensive facilities. Take warm clothes and sturdy shoes or boots, and ring if the weather is wet/windy or very cold before travelling as the birds can't fly if the weather conditions are poor. I'd thoroughly recommend this activity as a great experience and value for money for all ages.

My girlfriend booked an owl walk for the both of us after I'd mentioned that I'd wanted to get up close to an eagle owl since I was a child. I was able to do just that here and it was an experience I won't forget! I really respect the guy who runs the place and what he is doing for the preservation and education of such magnificent creatures! It is great to get the opportunity to pick his brains on the creatures he clearly loves and devotes his life to. It is a conservation project run by one man with selective help and we are very lucky to get anywhere near!

We booked the 'experience' as a birthday treat for my wife. It was a damp, cold January day when we visited but we had a great time. So many lovely birds of prey and owls to see. We were 'given' a choice of harrier or an owl so we went for one of each. The birds stayed with us throughout the visit. We had a chance to fly the birds and walk around the site with them. the young chap who showed us around was very informative and knowledgeable.All staff are volunteers.A very different experience but thoroughly recommended for something a little different.

having arrived and found the venue open was surprised to meet someone who just said too cold to get them out today!Maybe a bit of customer service and a better explanation than just being abrupt and rude

A mid December Sunday with the sun shining was ideal for our visit to see the Owls and Hawks.We were greeted on our arrival by the volunteers and asked to wander around and meet the birds but be back just before 12.00 Noon for our 2 hour experience.The owls and hawks all looked very content and there was a variety of different species.At noon, Chris and Tom met us and after explaining how to hold the birds and how we should behave with them, asked who would like an owl and who a hawk. My husband chose a hawk and the large bird "Hurr" was placed on his gloved left hand. I chose a barn owl, "Mr Pip" was very beautiful and settled onto my gloved left hand. We were asked to go inside and sit down to get to know our birds.The talk about what would happen next was held indoors and Chris described what we would be doing in the woods. The order for us to walk was carefully planned as some of the larger birds would eat the smaller ones in the wild!Tom accompanied us through the woods and answered our questions. We then sat on benches in a grassed area for more information on the individual birds and more details about the Centre itself. We had the opportunity to take photos [without flash].Once back at the centre, we had more opportunity to find out more about the centre and about the leopards who it is possible to visit 6 times a year.The birds were taken back to their perches and we then went out into the flying area where "Number 1 Bird" "Hurr" flew to each of us one by one for a reward. Very exciting and Tom gave us lots of opportunities to take great flying shots."Number 2 Bird" was a barn owl who was more careful about eating the reward as two Kites were flying in the trees around us. Again there was ample opportunity for photos.This really was a fantastic day out. We bought our experience on Groupon but the usual price of £65 each would still have been excellent value for money.If you go at a similar time of year, take your walking boots or wellies and wrap up warm.

On certain days of the year the centre extends its footpaths around the centre to include a tour of the rescued big cats. It is obvious Chris the owner is devoted to these animals, he is very protected of them but at the same time respectful of them. Their environment is quiet and probably as close to nature as they will get in this country. A good selection of owls and falconry which you can hold at certain times. Refreshments are basic. But good half day out.

we visited the centre wednesday and a really good time. tom the young guy that did our experience was very enthusiastic and helpfull through out. my boyfriends opinion was the owner had no people skills but we had tom for our experience who was fantastic. down side was a portaloo which wasnt very clean.

We were treated to a visit here as a birthday present. We had a lovely time, and learned a lot about the good work that is done here. Our guide was Tom a young lad with a wealth of knowledge - and a great love for the work he was doing.This is one of Those places that could do with some sponsorship, as it must be expensive to keep the place going, especially through the winter months.I must be honest, and say I thought it sounded by expensive to visit, but when you know a bit more it's easy to understand why.

An amazing collection of owls and birds of prey some of which I had never seen before e.g ashen faced and black barn owls. This is not a manicured attraction but one set in the woods with leaf strewn mulched paths all of which made you feel closer to nature . A really enjoyable morning out and good value especially knowing that many of the birds have been rescued .

I bought a couple of vouchers via Travelzoo for a 2 hour 'hawk or owl' experience for £15 each and my son and I visited the centre on an unusualy warm but quite windy Sunday afternoon in mid October. The centre was easy to find (being well signposted) and very pleasantly located not far from the renowned Barnsdale Gardens. To sum it up, what a fantastic two hours for both of us! In response to some of the negative reviews, yes the host Chris comes across as mildly grumpy initially I have to admit but one soon warms to his wit and dry humour. He's a man of relatively few words but a treasure trove of wisdom, passion and knowledge. To start off, we were all asked whether we would like a hawk or owl for the experience, the hawks we were told being slightly jumpier and unpredictable. Needless to say, my son and I both chose hawks. Mine was a red-tailed hawk called Rebel and my son's a Harris hawk called Harry. We were given thick leather left-hand gloves which we put on and the birds twere then ethered to our gloves. There then followed some dos and don'ts after whoch we walked through the forest to an open area where Chris related and imparted a huge amount of interesting ionformation about the birds, the wildlife in the forest and the conservation work they do at the centre. He is a man clearly passionate about this and iot shows! After the talk we walked back (with the birds still on our gloves) to the area we started from, passing along the way the various housings for the birds (of which there are 150 or so in total at the centre we were told). There then followed a flying demonstration with first an owl and then a hawk where the birds flew from a perch some distance away to each of us in turn landing on our gloves. A brilliant experience! I can't fault the centre. Yes the facilities are somewhat basic but then I was there for the experience of having a hawk at close distance for over an hour! These birds have such majesty, it's truly awe-inspiring. All in all, very good value and an unforgettable experience for both of us. I shall certainly return with my youngest lad in the not too distant future and recommend the centre to others.

My partner, Julie, mother, Lisa and myself visited the Centre. We were met by Chris, who comes across as a bit cantankerous. I quickly realised that is his way and he has a wonderful dry sense of humour and it became very apparent that he is very passionate about the welfare of birds of prey.We were given a comprehensive safety brief about the safe handling of these semi wild birds. I was then allocated 'Estelle' a Harris Hawk. Julie had an American Barn Owl. I was warned that she was a bit grumpy until she got to know you. I have to say that she was amazing and it was a pleasure to spend time walking through the local woods to a seating area on the edge of a field. Chris then gave us a very informative overview of the bad things humans due to wild animals. Very thought provoking.We then walked our respective birds back to the centre where we took turns at receiving a Harris Hawk.An absolutely brilliant experience. I would agree with previous comments re photography. Especially flashes, which are a big No No as it effects the birds eyes.