Children’s Falconry Experience
A Magical Outdoor Adventure for Young Nature Lovers
Our Children’s Falconry Experience at Bird on the Hand offers young adventurers (aged 7 and up) the chance to meet, handle, and fly real birds of prey including owls, hawks, and falcons, all under expert guidance.
It’s a calm, hands-on encounter designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of wildlife. Every session is supervised by experienced falconers who make learning about these magnificent birds both exciting and safe.
What Happens on the Day
Your child will:
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Meet several of our friendly birds, from playful owls to graceful hawks.
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Learn fun and fascinating facts about falconry and how birds of prey live and hunt.
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Call a bird to the glove and feel the thrill as it lands gently on their hand.
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Enjoy a relaxed countryside setting with plenty of time for photos.
Sessions run for approximately three hours in small groups to ensure everyone gets personal attention and time with the birds.
Parents or guardians are welcome to attend free of charge as spectators and can upgrade to full participants if they wish to join in.
Bird on the Hand – Child (3 Hours)
A birds of prey experience day to fly, handle, feed and get up close to our owls, falcons, hawks, buzzards and eagles. They join our Bird on the Hand 3 hour session but are allowed an FOC adult supervisor to join them to take photos and videos.
Join us for an interactive journey, where you will not only observe these majestic creatures up close, but also have the opportunity to handle and fly them.
During your adventure, you will see, handle, feed, and fly several species of raptors, including falcons, hawks, buzzards and owls. This is a marvellous hands-on experience. It is ideal for individuals and groups of all ages, including children seven upwards. Enjoy this emotive back to nature, feel good, experience with our amazing birds of prey.
Price £89.99 – Spectator £35
Full Experience Details
Falconry Experience – Market Harborough
A fantastic and memorable opportunity to get up close to hawks, falcons, owls—and even eagles.
This experience is a brilliant introduction to birds of prey and makes a wonderful gift for both the young and the young at heart.
You’ll witness the grace and power of these magnificent birds as they fly to your glove in beautiful countryside surroundings. This half-day session is packed with hands-on opportunities and fascinating insight into the ancient and noble art of falconry. You’ll handle and fly a variety of birds, including several species of falcons, hawks, and owls.
This remains our most popular experience for all ages.
Child Friendly
Youngsters from age seven can participate in this event and they can bring along their chauffeurre and supervisor free of charge. They get to watch and take photos of their star of the day. Any additional spectators are welcome but need to pay the spectator charge.
Location
This event takes place near Market Harborough:
Barn Owl Hollow, Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, LE16 7SZ
Companions / Spectators
You’re welcome to bring family and friends to share the day with you. Spectators are fully involved—they stay by your side, can ask questions, take photos, and soak up the experience. While they won’t handle the birds, they’ll still enjoy learning about them up close.
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Select the number of spectators during booking to see pricing.
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Children under 16 may spectate for free when accompanied by a paying adult spectator.
Experience Details
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Duration: Approximately 3 hours
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Group Size: Usually up to 6 participants
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Times: Morning (10am–1pm) or afternoon (2pm–5pm)
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Voucher Validity: 12 months from purchase date
Important Information
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Weather: This experience is weather dependent and may be postponed in wet or extreme conditions. You’ll have ample opportunity to rebook if needed.
-
Booking Calendar: Online bookings are available up to 4 months ahead. If you’re planning for a special occasion beyond that, please call us to discuss options.
- Tea and Coffee available here.
- Toilet Accesible for wheelchairs
What to Wear
-
Dress appropriately for the weather. On colder days, you won’t be moving much—layers are important.
-
The ground is rarely muddy, so walking boots or sturdy shoes are usually sufficient.
-
Avoid bright dayglo colours, as these can disturb some birds.
-
In summer, sunscreen and a bottle of water are sensible.
-
If you suffer from hay fever, bring antihistamines—you’ll be outdoors in a grassy field
Gifting Options
-
Upgrade to our Deluxe Presentation Pack to add:
- Your printed voucher
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A smart gift box with gold bow (Picture in the galley)
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A real leather mini falconer’s gauntlet and falconry bell keyfob (various colours)
Private 90-Minute Kids Parties and Family Sessions
For birthdays, family gatherings, or smaller private groups, our Private 90-Minute Falconry Experience offers the perfect flexible option.
You’ll enjoy an exclusive session with our falconers and a selection of owls, hawks, and falcons tailored to the children’s age and confidence.
These can take place at our Market Harborough base or at an alternative venue by arrangement.
Shorter Falconry and Owl Experiences for Children
For younger children or families looking for a shorter weekday visit, we offer two fantastic options at our Market Harborough centre:
Have a Hoot – 30 Minutes
A gentle, engaging owl-handling session designed especially for children.
Perfect for first-time encounters, this half-hour experience lets youngsters meet and fly several friendly owls in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Raptor Rapture – 60 Minutes
A fun one-hour falconry experience that introduces children and families to a variety of birds of prey.
Meet and fly hawks, owls, and falcons, and enjoy a compact but unforgettable introduction to falconry.
Both sessions are available on weekdays only at Market Harborough and make excellent options for families with younger participants or for those looking for a shorter visit.
Where to Find Us
Children’s Falconry Experiences are held at:
Barn Owl Hollow, Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Alders Farm, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Our 90 minute private sessions are only available at Market Harborough. We do a 3 hour Private / Family experience at Milton Keynes
Set in peaceful countryside, it’s an inspiring and safe location for children to explore nature and enjoy meeting birds of prey up close.
When purchasing Chidlren’s Falconry Experiences you get a free spectator to come and supervise, watch and capture those special moments. A spectator does not take part in the handling/flying of the birds but this can be upgraded with extra cost to a full experience voucher when purchasing.
Bird on the Hand – Child (3 Hours)
A birds of prey experience day to fly, handle, feed and get up close to our owls, falcons, hawks, buzzards and eagles. They join our Bird on the Hand 3 hour session but are allowed an FOC adult supervisor to join them to take photos and videos.
Join us for an interactive journey, where you will not only observe these majestic creatures up close, but also have the opportunity to handle and fly them.
During your adventure, you will see, handle, feed, and fly several species of raptors, including falcons, hawks, buzzards and owls. This is a marvellous hands-on experience. It is ideal for individuals and groups of all ages, including children seven upwards. Enjoy this emotive back to nature, feel good, experience with our amazing birds of prey.
Price £89.99 – Spectator £35
Full Experience Details
Falconry Experience – Market Harborough
A fantastic and memorable opportunity to get up close to hawks, falcons, owls—and even eagles.
This experience is a brilliant introduction to birds of prey and makes a wonderful gift for both the young and the young at heart.
You’ll witness the grace and power of these magnificent birds as they fly to your glove in beautiful countryside surroundings. This half-day session is packed with hands-on opportunities and fascinating insight into the ancient and noble art of falconry. You’ll handle and fly a variety of birds, including several species of falcons, hawks, and owls.
This remains our most popular experience for all ages.
Child Friendly
Youngsters from age seven can participate in this event and they can bring along their chauffeurre and supervisor free of charge. They get to watch and take photos of their star of the day. Any additional spectators are welcome but need to pay the spectator charge.
Location
This event takes place near Market Harborough:
Barn Owl Hollow, Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, LE16 7SZ
Companions / Spectators
You’re welcome to bring family and friends to share the day with you. Spectators are fully involved—they stay by your side, can ask questions, take photos, and soak up the experience. While they won’t handle the birds, they’ll still enjoy learning about them up close.
-
Select the number of spectators during booking to see pricing.
-
Children under 16 may spectate for free when accompanied by a paying adult spectator.
Experience Details
-
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
-
Group Size: Usually up to 6 participants
-
Times: Morning (10am–1pm) or afternoon (2pm–5pm)
-
Voucher Validity: 12 months from purchase date
Important Information
-
Weather: This experience is weather dependent and may be postponed in wet or extreme conditions. You’ll have ample opportunity to rebook if needed.
-
Booking Calendar: Online bookings are available up to 4 months ahead. If you’re planning for a special occasion beyond that, please call us to discuss options.
- Tea and Coffee available here.
- Toilet Accesible for wheelchairs
What to Wear
-
Dress appropriately for the weather. On colder days, you won’t be moving much—layers are important.
-
The ground is rarely muddy, so walking boots or sturdy shoes are usually sufficient.
-
Avoid bright dayglo colours, as these can disturb some birds.
-
In summer, sunscreen and a bottle of water are sensible.
-
If you suffer from hay fever, bring antihistamines—you’ll be outdoors in a grassy field
Gifting Options
-
Upgrade to our Deluxe Presentation Pack to add:
- Your printed voucher
-
A smart gift box with gold bow (Picture in the galley)
-
A real leather mini falconer’s gauntlet and falconry bell keyfob (various colours)
Booking and Vouchers
Children’s Falconry Experiences run regularly throughout the year.
You can book a date or buy a voucher for one these great experiences.
Have A Hoot (30 Minutes)
Fly, feed, and handle our amazing owls. Everybody loves an owl, and we have owls from tiny to large, so come and enjoy a great experience up close to our great collection of owls.
This is a special 30-40min session geared for youngsters where they will get to meet and handle some of our smaller owls, like a Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, or Vermiculated Eagle Owl. If they are willing and able, they can also have a photo holding one of our larger eagle owls.
Gift this remarkable experience today and create memories that will last a lifetime. This is a weekday only event.
For children aged 4-14
Vouchers are valid for 12 months
Price £35.00 pp – Spectator £8.00
Full Experience Details
Have a Hoot – Owl Encounter for Children
A Magical Owl Experience for Ages 4–14
A charming and gentle introduction to birds of prey, designed especially for children. This 30-minute hands-on owl experience gives youngsters the chance to fly and handle real owls, including the beautiful barn owl and, when possible, the mighty European eagle owl—one of the largest owl species in the world!
We’ve created this session just for kids, but if an adult would love to take part too—good news! Adults are welcome to join in by booking their own ticket.
What to Expect
Children will begin by flying one of our calmest owls to and from their gloved hand. It’s an incredible moment—seeing such a graceful bird soar toward them in open countryside. The experience continues with close encounters and photo opportunities with some of our larger owls, and often ends with a chance to meet and (when the bird is in the mood) hold one of our most impressive stars, like the majestic eagle owl.
Sessions are relaxed and usually shared with a small group. While the activity is set for 30 minutes, we’re often flexible with time to ensure each child gets plenty of flying action.
Location
This is a Market Harborough event.
Barn Owl Hollow, Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, LE16 7SZ
Companions & Spectators
- Each child ticket includes a free adult supervisor.
- Additional spectators are welcome and can be added at checkout.
- Non-participating children under 14 may spectate for free.
- Spectators do not handle birds but will have a great time and can take photos throughout.
Experience Details
- Duration: 30 minutes (approx.)
- Group Size: Up to 6 participants
- Age Range: 4–14 (but adults may participate by purchasing their own ticket)
- Voucher Validity: 12 months from date of purchase
Good To Know
- Weather: This experience is weather dependent and may be postponed in wet or extreme conditions. You’ll have ample opportunity to rebook if needed.
- Booking Calendar: Online bookings are available up to 4 months ahead. If you’re planning for a special occasion beyond that, please call us to discuss options.
- Tea and Coffee available here.
- Toilet Accesible for wheelchairs
What to Wear
- Dress appropriately for the weather. On colder days, you won’t be moving much—layers are important.
- The ground is rarely muddy, so walking boots or sturdy shoes are usually sufficient.
- Avoid bright dayglo colours, as these can disturb some birds.
- In summer, sunscreen and a bottle of water are sensible.
- If you suffer from hay fever, bring antihistamines—you’ll be outdoors in a grassy field
Gifting Options
- Upgrade to our Deluxe Presentation Pack to add:
- Your printed voucher
- A smart gift box with gold bow (Picture in the galley)
- A real leather mini falconer’s gauntlet and falconry bell keyfob (various colours)
Raptor Rapture (1 Hour)
This one hour experience is a fantastic introduction to owls, hawks and falcons. A rapturous hour spent getting up close and personal with supreme raptors. The word “raptor” refers to all birds of prey, in particular their poweful grabbing feet which they use to catch and kill prey. It stems from the Latin word “Rapere” which means to “to seize,” “to snatch,” “to take by force,” or “to carry off”.
A great experience where you get some real hands on with a variety of birds flying to you and feeding on the fist. This is a weekday only event.
Price £49.99 – Spectator £20.00
Full Experience Details
Falconry Taster Session – Market Harborough only
An Hour of Raptors – Weekdays Only
An exciting introduction to the incredible world of falconry. This weekday-only experience packs a lot into a single hour. Perfect for those short on time but big on curiosity. Get up close and personal with a selection of birds of prey including falcons, hawks and owls. You’ll handle, fly and feed the birds as they fly to your glove and display their natural grace and power in our beautiful countryside setting.
This hands-on session offers a unique insight into the ancient and noble art of falconry, making it ideal for first-timers or those looking for a gift that’s a little bit different.
Child Friendly
Suitable for children aged 6+
Location
This is a Market Harborough event.
Barn Owl Hollow, Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, LE16 7SZ
Companions & Spectators
You’re welcome to bring guests with you. They’ll be alongside you throughout the experience—watching, taking photos, asking questions and soaking up the atmosphere.
- Spectators don’t handle birds but are very much part of the day.
- Children require 1 adult specator per 3 children.
- Children under 16 may spectate for free when accompanied by a paying adult spectator.
- Select your number of spectators when booking to see prices.
Experience Details
- Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
- Group Size: Usually up to 6 participants
- Availability: Weekdays only
- Voucher Validity: 12 months from date of purchase
Good To Know
- Weather: This experience is weather dependent and may be postponed in wet or extreme conditions. You’ll have ample opportunity to rebook if needed.
- Booking Calendar: Online bookings are available up to 4 months ahead. If you’re planning for a special occasion beyond that, please call us to discuss options.
- Tea and Coffee available here.
- Toilet Accesible for wheelchairs
What to Wear
- Dress appropriately for the weather. On colder days, you won’t be moving much—layers are important.
- The ground is rarely muddy, so walking boots or sturdy shoes are usually sufficient.
- Avoid bright dayglo colours, as these can disturb some birds.
- In summer, sunscreen and a bottle of water are sensible.
- If you suffer from hay fever, bring antihistamines—you’ll be outdoors in a grassy field
Gifting Options
- Upgrade to our Deluxe Presentation Pack to add:
- Your printed voucher
- A smart gift box with gold bow (Picture in the galley)
- A real leather mini falconer’s gauntlet and falconry bell keyfob (various colours)
Customer Review
“My son (aged 8) absolutely loved it. He got to fly several birds and couldn’t stop talking about it for days.
The falconers were brilliant with the children – patient, funny, and very knowledgeable. A wonderful day outdoors!”
— Lyndsey, Leicestershire
Best day of the Summer holidays for my 6 year old ☺️
My six year old got this as a birthday present from his classmates. He LOVED it! Said it was the best day of the Summer holidays.
Charlotte and Andrew were fantastic- so passionate and informative, in an entertaining and easily digestible way….and the birds they have are very varied and special- lovely to see them flying, landing on our arms and hats!
Great to be able to get up close. My son especially enjoyed the eagle owl and the red kite. We will definitely come back. Thank you!
Lyndsey
