📍 Moreton-in-Marsh
Cotswold Falconry Centre
Birds-of-prey centre at Batsford Park near Moreton-in-Marsh with over 60 species, daily flying displays and hands-on hawk and owl experiences.
✦ We visited
Check the day's flying display timetable on arrival and get a good position before it starts. The eagles in full flight overhead are the standout moment, and the handlers make the whole visit informative as well as dramatic.
The Cotswold Falconry Centre occupies its own enclosures at Batsford Park near Moreton-in-Marsh, sharing the estate with the Arboretum but operating as a separate admission. It is home to over sixty species of birds of prey, including eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, kites and vultures from around the world. The centre focuses on conservation and education, and the daily flying demonstrations are the highlight, with birds flown in the open air at close range while handlers explain their behaviour and biology.
For families the demonstrations are a genuine spectacle, and children tend to be caught by the size and speed of the larger birds in flight. Beyond the standard admission there are booked Owl Experiences and Flying Start sessions where participants fly a bird to their own gloved hand, which is a memorable experience for older children. The handlers give real insight into the natural history of each species, so there is learning alongside the theatre of it.
The site is almost entirely flat and accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs, with a steep slope at the entrance for which a flat alternative gate can be opened on request. It is a seasonal attraction, open from mid-February to mid-November, so check dates before travelling and book tickets online in advance. The Batsford Arboretum cafe is within easy reach on the same estate for those who want to extend the day into the gardens.
Good for: animals, outdoors, sensory. Ages: 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
What birds can you see at the Cotswold Falconry Centre?
Over sixty species including eagles, falcons, hawks, owls and vultures, with different birds flown in the daily displays.
Can children fly a bird of prey at the Cotswold Falconry Centre?
Yes, the Flying Start and Owl Experience sessions let participants fly a bird to the glove; these are booked separately and suit older children.
When is the Cotswold Falconry Centre open?
From mid-February to mid-November, 10.30am to 3pm (last entry 3pm); closed over winter; check the website for exact dates and to book.
