Bird of Prey Centre
Bird of Prey Centre
The aviary for the Birds of Prey Centre is the converted orangery near the walled garden, a short walk from the hotel.
There are owls, hawks and falcons in residence and hotel guests can enjoy the sight of the birds being exercised every morning at the daily flying display (apart from on Tuesdays). This is open to all hotel guests and does not need to be booked in advance. This lasts 30 minutes and there is an optional donation £5 per room to the World Owl Trust.
Flying Experiences
The flying experiences available at the Bird of Prey Centre (for hotel guests and non-residents) that are provided by our resident falconer Sophie Abbott are :
Hawk Walk : (1 hour) :
£45 per person (one hawk, one guest), with £40 for each additional guest
(up to a limit of 3 guests and 1 bird)
£50 per person (two hawks, two guests), with £40 for each additional guest
(up to a limit of 6 guests and 2 birds)
Owl Experience : (1 hour) : £45 per person (flat rate).
Half Day Experience : 10.30 - 12.30pm : £75 per person (flat rate)
Full Day Experience : 10.30 - 2.30pm : £105 per person (flat rate) including lunch.
Hunting Day : 11.00 - 4.00pm : £150 per person (flat rate) including lunch.
Displays : £250 with limited bird handling of a display of 6 birds, for 1 hour
Spectators are charged £5 per person for an hour's booking and £10 for a half day or day booking. There is an additional charge for the spectator's lunch on a day event of £20.
Children 12 years and over are allowed to be booked for 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).
Bookings can be taken from 10.00am to 7.00pm in the summer months (1st May - 30th September) and 10.00am - 2.00pm in the winter months (1st October - 30th April)
The maximum number in a group for any of the flying/handling events listed above is six. In the case of the Hawk Walks this limit would amount to 6 guests and 2 birds (if only 1 bird then the limit is 3 guests). Please note that a single guest cannot fly more than 1 bird on a Hawk Walk.
Group bookings of 7 or more guests for any kind of falconry event needs to be referred to our Events Co-Ordinator, Jo Lapham. Sophie is also available to organise a Release of Doves, please contact Jo Lapham to advise of your requirements and she can provide you with details as to rates.
A cancellation fee of 100% of the booking value applies where a course/display is cancelled three days or less from the date of the event booked.
Hotel of the
Year 2004. White Rose Outstanding Customer Service Award 2006.
With 4 AA Red Stars and 3 AA Rosettes, Swinton Park is one of the highest rated hotels in Yorkshire and Cumbria