Name: Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre
Rating: 5.0

Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre

Kielder Water Bird Of Prey Centre, Kielder, Hexham, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in Kielder and Northumberland? Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre is a fantastic wildlife attraction and outdoor zoo featuring over 60 majestic birds of prey. It provides an engaging day out where visitors can explore woodland aviaries.

Standard adult entry tickets are priced at £8.50, child tickets cost £6.00, and family passes are available for £25.00. Concessions and carers can also enter for a reduced rate of £6.00. Learn about raptor conservation, and watch impressive aerial displays.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines up-close animal encounters with scenic forest walks, this destination is an ideal choice. It offers an intimate, award-winning experience where children can see rare eagles, owls, and falcons just feet away.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Daily Flying Demonstrations: Weather-permitting aerial shows where expert handlers showcase the hunting techniques of hawks, falcons, and owls.
Diverse Raptor Collection: Carefully designed aviaries housing over 60 individual birds, including golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, and vultures.
Interactive Handling Opportunities: Special experiences allowing older children and adults to meet friendly owls and learn about raptor care.
Scenic Forest Surroundings: Peaceful walking trails winding through the wider Kielder Water and Forest Park estate.

Top 5 Highlights

The Golden and White-Tailed Eagles: Marvel at Britain's ultimate apex predators housed in spacious enclosures. Children are always struck by the sheer size and commanding presence of these magnificent birds.
The Flying Demonstration Arena: Gather around the open lawn area for scheduled afternoon flying displays. Watching swift falcons and silent owls swoop just above the crowd provides a thrilling highlight for kids.
The Resident Owl Aviaries: Peek into specialized woodland enclosures to spot a wide variety of native and international owl species. Their distinctive facial discs and clever head turns delight younger visitors.
Vulture and Hawk Walkways: Walk past open viewing points where curious vultures and sharp-eyed hawks watch visitors back. It offers a rare educational glimpse into lesser-seen scavenger and hunting species.
The Resident Wallaby Enclosure: Discover a surprising family of friendly wallabies living within the wider park grounds. They provide an unexpected twist to the bird-focused exhibits that children find delightful.

Facilities

Toilets & Baby Changing: Accessible public restrooms with baby changing facilities located centrally near the Leaplish park area.
Buggy Access: Paved and gravel pathways cover the main visitor routes, making them manageable for pushchairs in dry conditions.
Food Options: Nearby Kielder Waterside restaurant and cafe facilities offering hot meals, snacks, and drinks.
Picnic Areas: Open-air benches scattered across the park grounds for families bringing their own food.

Pro-Tips

Dress for the Weather: Because the flying arena is entirely outdoors, warm layers and waterproof clothing are vital in the exposed North East climate.
Check Display Times: Arrive shortly before the afternoon flying demonstrations to secure a prime viewing spot near the arena fence.
Keep Tickets Safe: Admission grants all-day re-entry, allowing families to explore the lake in the morning and return for afternoon feeds.

Targeted FAQ

Is Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre worth it for toddlers? Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre is worth it for toddlers because the compact layout prevents little legs from tiring, and children love seeing the owls and wallabies up close.
How long does a family visit take? A typical family visit to Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre lasts between 2 and 3 hours, giving you plenty of time to view all the aviaries and catch an afternoon flying demonstration.
Where is the best place to park? Visitors can park in the main designated car parks at Kielder Waterside near Leaplish, offering a short and scenic walk up to the entrance of the bird of prey centre.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Northumberland for rainy days? Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre is mostly outdoors, but visitors can shelter under covered viewing canopies or retreat to the nearby Kielder Waterside indoor leisure facilities during rain showers.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

Kielder Waterside Park: Extensive surrounding leisure resort offering indoor swimming, adventure play parks, and cycle hire.
Kielder Observatory: A world-class stargazing facility located deeper within the dark-skies forest reserve.
Lakeside Walking and Cycling Trails: Miles of multi-user paths winding around the stunning reservoir edge.
Kielder Art and Architecture Trail: A collection of striking modern art installations hidden throughout the surrounding woodland.

What Visitors Love:

The flying demonstrations are exceptionally engaging and give children a close-up look at bird agility.
Staff members are deeply knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to answer questions from curious kids.
The peaceful forest setting makes for a relaxing and uncrowded weekend family trip.
All-day ticket re-entry provides great flexibility around children's nap times and lunch breaks.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Flying displays are entirely weather-dependent, meaning high winds or heavy rain can result in cancellations.
Public transport options to the remote forest location are virtually non-existent, requiring a car.
Catering options directly at the raptor centre are limited, requiring a short walk to the main resort facilities.

Attractions & Live Exhibits

Birds of Prey: Golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, peregrine falcons, barn owls, eagle owls, and Harris hawks.
Scavengers: Various vulture species housed in tailored open-air enclosures.
Mammals: A small resident group of friendly wallabies.
Live Shows: Daily seasonal flying demonstrations typically scheduled at 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM (weather permitting).
Educational Talks: All-day keeper chats detailing the rehabilitation, breeding, and conservation of raptors.

New for 2026

Upgraded Raptor Aviary Enclosures: Newly expanded enrichment zones designed to improve natural flight paths and viewing angles for visitors.
Enhanced Digital Information Panels: Modern touchless educational displays detailing European raptor conservation efforts.
Refreshed Visitor Entry Hub: Streamlined ticketing flow at the main entrance gate to speed up weekend admissions.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (17–64 years): £8.50.
Child (2–16 years): £6.00 (Under 2s FREE).
Family (2 Adults + 2 Children): £25.00.
Concession (65+ / Disabled / Carers): £6.00.

Pricing URL: https://www.kielderbopc.com/your-visit/opening-times-and-admission/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: Information available on official website. The centre does not run standardized children's birthday party packages, but private group visits and tailored educational tours can be requested.
Contact for Bookings: Enquiries and private event availability can be made by contacting the team directly via email or telephone at 01434 250400.

April–October: Open daily, 10:30am–4pm.
November–March: Open daily, 11am–3pm.

Address: Kielder Water Bird Of Prey Centre, Kielder, Hexham, UK

Post Code: NE48 1AX

Council: Northumberland

County: Northumberland

By Car: Located at Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder Waterside, Northumberland (Postcode: NE48 1BT), reached via scenic forest drive routes with parking available on-site.
By Train & Bus: There are no direct train or regular bus services to Kielder Water; private car travel is essential for reaching the remote forest location.