A number of falconry experiences for families, groups and individuals are on offer at the aviary and surrounding parkland at Swinton Estate. Birds of Prey at the Swinton Estate offers educational and fun experiences, available to visitors upon arrangement. We seek to provide as much hands-on interaction with our guests as possible, and to enjoy the personalities and behaviour of our large variety of friendly owls, hawks and falcons.
We advise wearing long-sleeved tops when handling the birds.
This 30-minute experience is for two people, aimed at those who want to try their hand at falconry, and also for younger guests who would enjoy a shorter experience. Guests have the opportunity to hold a bird and also experience another being flown to their hand, and learn more about the birds’ hunting and flying skills.
30 minutes – £60 for two guests
A Hawk Walk involves the flying of Harris hawks around the splendour of the castle grounds. This is a unique experience lasting approximately an hour, involving a short instruction on safely handling your hawk, before taking it out under supervision into the grounds of Swinton Park where it will follow you through the trees and return to your gloved fist in spectacular style. The 200-acre parkland is a perfect location for the experience and also allows close up encounters of the fallow deer and other various wildlife. Suitable for ages 14 and over.
One hour – £55 per person, spectators are charged at £10 each.
An owl experience lasts approximately an hour and enables you to learn a little whilst you handle and fly owls of all shapes and sizes within the hotel grounds. This experience begins with a short introduction to the owls at Swinton Park, which range from the tiny barn owl through to the large eagle owls. One of our falconers will guide you as you fly, feed and handle each bird. This is a one on one and very hands on experience and provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of owls from all corners of the world.
One hour – £55 per person, spectators are charged at £10 each
A 30-minute flying demonstration at the bird of prey aviary overlooking the Deer Park in the grounds of the hotel, followed by cream tea for two served with a warm home-made scone, clotted cream and locally made preserves.
30 minutes – £70 for two guests
An hour’s experience for the family to enjoy the thrill of a bird flying to their gloved hand. Up to three different birds will be flown, allowing for different species and sizes of birds – smaller birds available for smaller people!
One hour – £145 per family (based on a group of four). Additional participants £15 per person.
The hawk and owl experience usually begins with a short introduction and handling session with a range of various birds kept at Swinton Park, including hawks, falcons and owls. The introduction is normally followed by the opportunity to fly a range of owls of different sizes to your gloved hand and concludes with the incredible sight of a Harris Hawk following you through the woodland as you take them for a short walk in the surrounding estate (see ‘Hawk Walk’ above) this spectacular sight provides the perfect completion to a unique day. This lasts approximately two hours.
Two hours – £85 per person, spectators are charged at £15 each
This extended experience provides the opportunity to get a more intensive look into falconry and you will learn a little more about the training, handling, and history of the sport of falconry. On arrival, you will be welcomed at the aviaries where our falconer will meet you, with tea/coffee, and show you around with chance to meet all of our birds. Following this is the opportunity to handle and fly our large range of birds, taking a hawk for a walk around our woodland and finishing with getting up close to some of our larger species. This experience is followed by a two-course lunch and complimentary access to the Parkland and Gardens, so you can enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. This lasts approximately two and a half hours.
Two and a half hours – £135 per person, including lunch. Spectators are charged at £45 each, including lunch.
Enjoy a 30 minute falconry display and your chance to handle a couple of birds, followed by a two course lunch in the sumptuous Swinton Park. Price includes a flying display and a two course lunch.
30 minutes – £155 per couple, including display lunch
Birds of Prey displays and handling experiences can be supplied for all weddings, corporate events, and activities for groups of any size, providing a unique outlook on any day. We are also happy to cater to requirements for any photographic events, team building, staff or client away days. We aim to get all members of the group involved in handling and flying a variety of birds of prey ranging from owls to hawks and falcons. A display lasts around an hour depending on your requirements and provides plenty of opportunities to ask questions and gain extra knowledge surrounding the art and history of falconry and birds of prey.
One hour – £250 per display
Treat your friends or family to a Birds of Prey gift voucher at Swinton Estate. Vouchers are available for a range of our falconry experiences.
Bookings can be made for 11.00am – 5.00pm in the summer months (1st May – 30th September) and 11.00am – 2.00pm in the winter months (1st October – 30th April).
Children 12 years and over may attend a course on their own. Those aged 11 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult (the adult will be charged the spectator fee).
Group bookings of seven or more guests for any falconry event need to be made with our events team. Please call 01765 680900 or email events@swintonestate.com.
A cancellation fee of 100% of the booking fee applies where a course/display is cancelled three days or less from the date of the event.
The activity takes place at Swinton Park Hotel.
Swinton Park Hotel
Masham
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 4JH
United Kingdom
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