Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Moreton-in-Marsh brings families straight to the Cotswold Falconry Centre, a specialist open-air zoo and bird of prey attraction set right next to Batsford Arboretum. This unique venue allows children and adults to experience close-up views of around 150 birds of prey through daily free-flying demonstrations and walk-around aviaries. Visitors can book tickets online in advance or purchase them directly upon arrival at the entrance gate.
Standard admission prices start from £15.00 for adults aged 16 to 65, with children aged 4 to 15 priced at £8.00. Concessions are available for seniors, students, and NHS workers at £12.00, while registered carers can enter for £6.00. Children aged 3 and under receive free entry into the park.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines outdoor exploration with educational wildlife displays, this Gloucestershire attraction offers exceptional value. Its daily flying demonstrations, peaceful woodland edge setting, and hands-on experience packages make it a top choice for a memorable weekend or school holiday treat.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Batsford Arboretum: Immediate neighbor featuring extensive botanical tree collections, walking trails, and seasonal floral displays.
- The Batsford Garden Centre: On-site retail plant nursery and local gift shop located at the shared entrance complex.
- The Garden Café: Family-friendly eatery serving hot lunches, cream teas, and snacks right next to the car park.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the daily flying displays, noting that watching hawks and owls swoop just inches above the audience is deeply thrilling for children.
- Visitors highlight the friendly, knowledgeable staff who take time to answer questions and explain the individual personalities of the birds.
- The tranquil woodland-edge atmosphere provides a calm, educational day out away from chaotic theme park crowds.
- Families appreciate the flexibility of all-day entry tickets, letting children watch multiple flight shows at their own relaxed pace.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Dogs are completely banned from entering the site, meaning dog owners must plan pet care arrangements in advance.
- The centre closes for the winter season from mid-November until mid-February, limiting visits during the coldest months.
- Parking spaces at the shared arboretum complex can fill up quickly during peak autumn color seasons and sunny summer weekends.
Attractions and Experiences:
- Morning Flight Demonstration: The first daily outdoor show introducing visitors to agile falcons and hawks at 11:30 AM.
- Midday Flight Demonstration: The second scheduled open-air presentation showcasing medium-to-large raptors at 1:30 PM.
- Afternoon Flight Demonstration: The final high-energy flying display rounding off the daily schedule at 3:00 PM.
- Breeding Aviary Trail: Self-guided walking loop past numbered enclosures containing 150 individual birds.
- Flying Start Owl Experience: Hands-on introductory sessions providing close encounters with resident owls.
- Raptor Handling Experience Days: Extended practical sessions for older participants learning how to hold and fly hawks.
- Bird Adoption Programme: Sponsorship pathways supporting the daily feeding and veterinary care of specific centre birds.
- Junior Falconer Workshops: Specialized holiday activities explaining basic bird management and training principles.
- Seasonal Educational Talks: Pop-up keeper chats held alongside enclosures during peak summer weekends.
- Gift Shop and Souvenir Kiosk: On-site shop offering bird-themed toys, books, and nature memorabilia.
New for 2026:
- Updated Flying Display Routines: Newly expanded 2026 flight demonstration programmes featuring newly trained juvenile birds of prey.
- Streamlined Digital Admission Pass: Upgraded online booking system supporting mobile barcode entry and flexible date exchanges.
- Enhanced Visitor Walkways: Refurbrished pathways across the breeding aviary loop for improved pushchair and wheelchair access.
12.94 miles
