gentleshaw birds of prey and wildlife centre

Have to admit that first impressions weren't favourable - it all looked a bit amateurish, but after a short while, I realised that this was most certainly not the case!The Zoo Keeper experience was bought as a gift for me and I have to say that thanks to the incredible enthusiasm of all the staff, it was a great experience. We cleaned out for some of the monkeys, flew a hawk, met a tawny owl and were introduced to a large number of animals including fruit bats, Saxon the wolfhound (what a large dog!) and my personal favourite Basil the meerkat who was just fabulously affectionate and friendly.This is a very good experience for both adult and child alike and I think both age groups can get a great deal from the visit. It's not huge and you look at some of the enclosures and think that the animals are a bit hemmed in, but then you read their story boards (excellent idea) and see where they came from and, trust me, they are in a far better place.Afterwards we have a wander around the garden centre and had lunch there - highly recommended for good fresh food and value for money.Highly recommended. Thanks to all the staff for making the day memorable and keep up the excellent work!

Thus far surpassed expectations, I didn't quite know what to expect but when we got here it was awesome from the start. The staff are excellent, friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Got a lot of interaction with a lot of animals and had a really fun time. Me and my partner are both grown adults and it was just as exciting as if we where big kids. Would really recommended this for everyone of all ages and also makes amazing gifts

My son and myself had a 2 hour experience from group on voucher. Even though it rained and was a cold day, we had an amazing time. Excellent value for money. The staff were all excellent , friendly and great knowledge and passion for their work. All the animals have a sad story and have been rescued and cared for by all the volunteers. It is a charity and needs all the support it can get. The gift shop had some good bargains and the tea shop in the garden centre served really good food at reasonable prices. I can't recommend this enough. We sat with meerkats, flew an owl, fed the lemurs and met Saxon the softest wolf dog. Please visit this place and spread the word. We will visit agin hopefully on a sunnier day. At £4 for adults and £3 for kids a great value for money day out.

Visited as part of a pre-booked bird of prey experience. Surpassed expectations as staff went out of their way to be helpful, were extremely friendly and made sure to create great photo opportunities.As for the rest of the sanctuary, all animals seem well cared for with adequate space and enrichment. Highly suitable for a half day family visit.The only issue was that it wasn't signposted clearly from the road as it is behind the garden centre.

My wife and I have just returned from a few hours Zookeepers experience and we loved it. From cleaning out a monkey enclosure to preparing food and handling an owl and sparrowhawk. A great way to spend a few hours and remember it's a charity so the money is pumped back into caring for the animals. Go on support them!

We visited on a zookeeper experience deal and we had a fab time the staff are so friendly and they are all so dedicated to caring for the animals. We got to feed lemurs and pet a Wolf dog and fly an owl. This is not a big center but it is well worth a visit as every penny goes towards the upkeep of the animals. We can't wait to go again.

We have been to gentle shaws several times, both in the summer and winter and had the best time with our 2 children, 12 and 8. Entry is very reasonably priced and there is a wide variety of animals including birds of prey, raccoons, coti mundis, a lovely skunk named Alfie which we had the pleasure of stroking on one visit, and a beautiful wolf dog which amazed me and a singing dog, newest additions include bats and meerkats.the 3 resident dogs are gorgeous and are happy to be stroked, inside there are snakes spiders and bearded dragons.The staff are welcoming and very dedicated to the animals, they do a great job and will happily answer any questions you have about the animals.In summer there is a lovely park outside with a train that runs around the grounds, well worth a ride, and an ice cream kiosk, we usually stay up to 3and a half hours, it's very much worth the money and I would recommend gentle shaws to people of all ages.

Went on a groupon deal and was good value for money.The animals were interesting, the bird sshow fab and the garden centre really nicde

Not been here since last xmas but took the eldest granddaughter and the other half yesterday,Sunday.Such a friendly place with very helpful staff.It cost £9 for all of us and we were given a ticket so that if we wanted to return during the day we could.There is a fantastic collection of Owls,all in well maintained cages,suited to their needs.In front of each cage is a wooden plaque,telling you the name of the Owl occupying that cage,and its' name,age and anything else about it like whether it likes the keepers or not!!!!!!!!!!!.Loved all these beautiful creatures.There are some small mammals as well including Racoons,Monkeys,Lemurs and then there is The Singing Dog!!!!!!!!!.An extremely vocal creature who threw his head back and 'sang'.The eldest copied him and he sang back.Wonderful.There is a small reptile house and a relatively new bat house.From start to finish we had a brilliant time and will return.Congratulations to all those who work here you have done a fantastic job.

Lovely staff who really know what they are talking about and looked after my little hoglet with a cut foot. The zoo is amazing. A must see!

The Staffordshire hoard is on display together with a very interesting tory of pre medieval England during the Mercian period.Upstairs is an excellent display of Staffordshire pottery throughout the centuries.This a well laid out museum which is having a new wing added.

Have been visiting Gentleshaws for a few years now as we had family staying near the centre. We have always been amazed by all the animals that Gentleshaws has to offer and the staff there make you feel welcome. It is also uplifting to see how such a small place can have a big impact as most of the animals that Gentleshaws house are rescued. On our visit at the beginning of summer we visited to see their latest addition at the time, Saxon the timber wolf. We look forward to seeing all the hard work that the staff at Gentleshaws will continue to do in the future.

Super family oriented centre with a delightful collection of rescued birds and animals. Pleasant cafe. Get the impression that the birds and animals are treated as respected visitors rather than 'exhibits'. lovely atmosphere. well worth a visit.

We visit the centre every year. It is a great rescue centre that only relies on donations. There is a variety of animals who are always clean. Not sure how people can moan at the entrance price when feeding all these animals would cost so much! We happily donate extra when at the gate amd our little one puts change in the tubs around the park. Have never done any of the experiences but they seem to be reasonably priced.

Gentleshaw bird of prey & wildlife centre is a great little place to spend couple of hours with young children. lots of interesting animals to see. a small gift shop selling small items aimed at children. there were a few second hand books for sale not sure a copy of 50 shades of grey should have been in there though. lol. The little train was a great surprise for £1.00 and my grandaughter loved it. minor criticisms would be. could do with a few little animals for young ones to pet around the play area as they become a little distracted after a while of just looking at the animals. all in all a great afternoon and a nice adjoining garden centre gives the trip a little more to see. great value at only £4 per adult children under 3 free.