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GROUP BOOKINGS

Bookings must be made at least seven days prior to your intended visit. Please book with us before booking your coach.

Opening times: 10.30am - 5.30pm daily from mid-February until the end of October, and Saturdays and Sundays during November to February.

Group bookings must be for 15 or more. The prices are normal ticket prices, less 10% (15% for school or college groups of more than 40 people). For school and student groups, one adult is admitted free for each 10 children/students. Additional adults pay the standard rate. Payment must be made for the whole group on arrival, not individually.

ALL GROUPS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED and exact pricing will be confirmed at the time of booking. All coach drivers are given free admission to the Trust and a refreshment voucher that can be used at Duffy's Coffee Shop.

Standard ticket prices for 2008 and more details of opening times can be found here.

As The Hawk Conservancy Trust is involved in breeding endangered species of Birds of Prey, their welfare and safety is of paramount importance. All children MUST be supervised during the entire time at the Trust. This includes visits to the gift shop, toilets and coffee shop.

ACTIVITIES

• All groups will be given a welcome talk on arrival by a member of staff and for smaller groups we can arrange a presentation about the work of our Bird of Prey hospital (please request when booking).
• The first demonstration takes place at 12 noon, after which all visitors will be given the opportunity to hold a British Bird of Prey, and staff are then available to answer any questions which they may care to ask. Adults may also have the opportunity to fly a Harris Hawk after one of the demonstrations.
• Following demonstrations take place at 2pm, where the big birds (eagles etc.) fly, and at 3.3Opm. All demonstrations are different.
• At 4.30pm is the Red Kite and Heron feed which can be viewed from the hides.
• During weekends and school holidays you will be able to cheer on the ducks in the duck race.
• Our Vulture Restaurant takes place at 11.30am, when the vultures can be seen feeding together and you can observe how they interact with each other and listen to a falconer's talk about the the work of the Trust with endangered vultures around the world.
• We also have our Raptor Safari, during which you can see released birds of prey in their natural environment (weather permitting and subject to availability) .
• Included in our 22 acres is a seven acre conservation area where you can see wildflowers and grasses, and wild birds such as skylark and partridge. This area can be viewed from our special hides. You can also walk through our Sika Deer enclosure, but again children must be accompanied by an adult.
• There is an Adventure Play Area for children.
• Refreshments are available at Duffy's Coffee Shop, which offers a varied menu of light lunches and snacks. Meals and afternoon cream teas can be pre-ordered prior to your visit, please speak to Duffy's manageress for details.
• There is a picnic area provided. Lunch can be left in the coach until required. Please ensure that no picnic litter is left in either the centre or the car park - especially ring pull tops from drink cans, since these are particularly dangerous to the birds.
• The toilet block is situated just inside the entrance to the centre, and this includes a disabled toilet, and parent and baby changing room.
• There is ample parking for cars and coaches.
• Take time to visit our Study Centre where display boards give details of the Trust's conservation and rehabilitation work with raptors around the world.

Safety Precautions:

GROUP LEADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES.

The following rules are most important. Please observe them carefully, as we have a very good safety record here. On no account must the children be allowed to climb on or over the barriers. If a child drops any article (purse, camera lunch etc.) over the barrier, please find a keeper to retrieve it. Children should NOT be allowed to put fingers etc. in any of the aviaries.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Group visits to Wildlife Parks, Farms, Zoos, Bird Gardens etc. are unique in as much as the children come into close contact with living creatures. Our experience has shown that their lack of contact in modern society sometimes, inadvertently, leads to cruelty. The children in your charge must not be allowed to carry sticks, or throw stones. Please do not allow them to bang on the pens or aviaries, or scream at the occupants. (This very often upsets the breeding programme.) The waterfowl and herons which fly freely at the centre, must not be chased. (This sometimes happens with children wishing to acquire feathers). One final point - Please do not allow the children to damage the trees and shrubs, or pick the flowers.

We feel that if these rules are explained to the children before the visit, together with the reason for the rules, everyone will enjoy a much happier outing. If you are unlucky enough to pick a wet day, we have no objection at all to a last minute cancellation - but please let us know.

DISABLED ADMISSION

For groups of disabled (these can be less than 15), wheelchairs and pushers are classed as one unit and charged the standard single adult rate for the two, this also applies to one to one supervision. All others are charged according to disability and need for supervision. Depending on the size of the group, and the number of carers within the group, we allow a percentage of free carers.

Please note that persons with behavioural problems must have one to one supervision.

We have many tarmac paths making it easy for wheelchair access, also a special viewing area in the flying grounds for wheelchairs.
The disabled toilet is situated just inside the entrance to the centre.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that if travelling by double-decker bus, you cannot approach from the A303 due to a low bridge. The maximum height under the bridge is 13 feet 5 inches (4.09m)

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