Description
York Bird of Prey Centre is a wonderful specialist zoo offering some of the best things to do with kids in York. Set just outside the city, this dedicated conservation attraction is home to a wide collection of magnificent raptors, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles.
Prices start from £10.00 for children and concessions, with standard adult entry priced at £12.50 and family bundles available through the online booking system. Families can explore the aviaries, watch thrilling outdoor flying demonstrations, and participate in hands-on handling sessions.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this venue combines close-up wildlife encounters with educational talks. Children can enjoy seeing powerful birds up close while learning about raptor conservation from passionate expert keepers and volunteers.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- On-Site Café: A welcoming refreshment stop providing hot drinks, cold beverages, and light snacks.
- Picnic Areas: Designated outdoor seating spots where families can enjoy packed lunches surrounded by countryside views.
- Local Woodland Walks: Scenic rural pathways branching out into the surrounding North Yorkshire landscape.
- Historic Easingwold Proximity: Close proximity to the charming market town of Easingwold and its local family amenities.
What Visitors Love:
- An intimate, uncrowded atmosphere that allows children to see massive birds of prey from just a few feet away.
- Extremely friendly, passionate staff and volunteers who make educational talks fun and engaging for young kids.
- Incredible audience participation during the flying displays, making the experience feel genuinely immersive.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Limited indoor seating space if sudden heavy rain catches visitors out during peak hours.
- The site closes on Tuesdays during the standard operational week, requiring a bit of advance planning.
Detailed Inventory of Park Attractions & Events
- Main Flying Display Lawn: Primary open space hosting scheduled afternoon flight shows.
- Undercover Flight Arena: Weather-proof pavilion utilized for demonstrations during adverse weather.
- Burrowing Owl Habitat: Low-level enclosure tailored for smaller, ground-dwelling owl species.
- Vulture and Caracara Aviaries: Specialized habitats showcasing scavenging raptors with unique dietary behaviors.
- Hawk Walk Trails: Woodland paths used for private and group hawk-handling experiences.
- Young Bird Training Zone: Practice area where handlers condition juvenile raptors for future flight demos.
- Educational Discovery Hub: Information boards and staging posts detailing global conservation efforts.
- Gift and Souvenir Shop: On-site retail space offering wildlife toys, books, and memorabilia.
New for 2026
- Expanded 2026 Flight Timetable: Updated daily flying schedules running through the 2026 season with fresh routines.
- Updated Evening Encounter Events: Specially scheduled evening owl and bird of prey twilight experiences for visitors.
- Enhanced Educational Signage: Newly installed interactive displays detailing individual bird lineages and rescue histories.
- Extended Seasonal Opening: Refined visitor hours running Wednesday through Monday for the 2026 operational calendar.
18.03 miles
