Hands on Owl Eperiences.
"It was incredible to handle these beautiful birds up close!" - Wayne
Had a fantastic afternoon in the company of the beautiful owls Juliet, Bingo, Alex and Priscilla and not forgetting the bonus appearance of Midnight the Harris Hawk.
Huge thanks to Charlotte and Andrew for making this such a memorable experience! It was incredible to handle and fly these magnificent birds and see them up close.
We had an absolute hoot (pun intended)!
Could I have written anything better? This is one of 800 great reviews we have on Tripadvisor, Google and direct.
Set in the open countryside around Market Harborough, we hold our original and most complete falconry experiences. Not displays, but hands-on days where you fly the birds yourself and experience their raw power up close.
Built on 20 Years of Experience
For over two decades, we’ve been helping visitors enjoy these incredible birds in a relaxed, personal setting. Small groups, expert guidance, and plenty of hands-on flying throughout, with time to properly enjoy each part of the experience.
Book with Total Confidence
Every experience is backed by our Full Money Back Guarantee
Full refund if they don’t enjoy it
It doesn’t suit everyone, but we’re still waiting for number three
30-day no-quibble voucher returns
Just in case, plans change, or it turns out feathers aren’t their thing
Flexible rebooking with no hidden fees
Because that’s exactly how it should be
Our Two Locations
Market Harborough (Flagship Base) – Ten experiences - something to suit everyone from a £39 owl intro, mixed bird of prey sessions and right up to full day private experiences for families or just that very special person.
Milton Keynes (Alders Farm) – Popular mixed-species and owl sessions in a lakeside setting, from £99
Scroll down to explore the experiences and find the perfect one for them.
Book with total confidence: Every experience is protected by our unique 'Full Money Back Guarantee." [Learn More]
Have a Hoot
Half Hour Owl Experience
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Surprised by the incredible variety of birds" - Clare
- Perfect for ages 4–14: A calm, hands-on introduction to flying owls.
- A gentle first experience: Ideal for quieter children, with a supervised “glove moment” when they’re ready.
- Fly a barn owl: Watch it glide in and land softly on your gloved hand.
- Meet the giants: Get up close to impressive owls including the European eagle-owl.
- Flexible for every child: We adapt the pace to suit them.
Owl on the Hand
Our Popular 3 Hour Experience
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"One of the best things I have ever done!" - Daisy
- Our most popular owl experience: An immersive 3-hour session flying and handling multiple species.
- Take the lead, with expert support: Feel their weight and power as they come directly to the glove.
- Meet the extremes: From the tiny burrowing owl to the impressive Siberian eagle-owl.
- Silent flight up close: See what makes them such extraordinary hunters.
- Small groups: Usually max 6 for personal tuition and plenty of flying turns.
Private Adventure
90 Minute Exclusive Session
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"More handling time than any other centre!" - Josie
- 100% private, exclusive experience: Your group only, with your own expert falconer.
- Tailored to your group: We adapt the session to your pace and what you most want to experience.
- Fly 3–4 species: Including owls and hawks, selected for your group.
- Private woodland setting: Enjoy your session in our secluded Leicestershire location.
- Great group value: One fixed price for up to 8 participants (ages 5+).
Why Book with the Experts at Bird on the Hand?
- A Lifetime of Experience: Our team brings together over 80 years of combined expertise in falconry and bird welfare. Led by a master falconer with over five decades of personal experience, we provide a level of insight and professional handling that is rare in the UK.
- Pure, Hands-on Interaction: We don't just "show" you the birds; we teach you the art. From the correct stance to the thrill of a hawk landing on your glove, every session is designed to be an active, immersive encounter.
- The Private Collection: Our sessions feature a spectacular range of raptors at our private Market Harborough centre.
- You will personally fly and handle a spectacular range of raptors at our private Market Harborough centre. Under expert guidance, you’ll witness the incredible power and precision of Harris Hawks, Falcons, and Eagle Owls as they launch from the treeline directly to your glove.
- Authentic Setting: We fly our birds in the natural Leicestershire countryside, providing an uninterrupted, "back-to-nature" escape that is perfect for photography and enthusiasts alike.
Not found your perfect experience?
Explore our other experiences or specialised sessions. We will have something to suit. Get in touch if you want to talk.
🦉 Falconry Experiences
Sessions design to give you the maximum variety. Fly a mixture of birds including owls.
🧒 The Young Falconer:
Safe, fun, and highly educational sessions designed specifically for children and families (Ages 6+).
🏢 Private & Group Events:
From bespoke family days to corporate team building and weddings, we can tailor a day to your needs.
Need a hand? 📞 Give us a call on 07868 243490 — we’re always happy to help.
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Surprised by the number of birds - Lucinda
Thank you for such a brilliant and very informative experience.
We absolutely loved getting so close to the birds and were surprised by the number and variety of birds that you were able to show us.
We have already recommended it to anyone we have had contact with, and will continue to do so.
Lucinda
"The perfect session for my 7-year old son" - Nicola
Lovely session with Duncan for my 7 year old son. Informative, interesting and fun!
He loved handling the birds and learning more about them. Duncan was very warm and welcoming and supported my son perfectly. Thank you!
"Lovely people who clearly love and know their birds" - Denise
What a FABULOUS day!!!
Would thoroughly recommend it to any bird lover!! Such lovely friendly people who obviously loved and knew so much about the birds!!!
Would definitely recommend!! And May well be returning!!!
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"One of the best things I have ever done!"
- Daisy
Lots of time with birds, variety of owls. Amazing commentary from the guide. 3 hours flew by. I loved every second of it.
One of the best things I have ever done.
Also - beautiful location.
"Incredible to handle these beautiful birds up close!"
- Wayne
Had a fantastic afternoon in the company of the beautiful owls Juliet, Bingo, Alex and Priscilla and not forgetting the bonus appearance of Midnight the Harris Hawk.
Huge thanks to Charlotte and Andrew for making this such a memorable experience! It was incredible to handle these magnificent birds and see them up close.
We had an absolute hoot (pun intended)!
"Supported my 7-year-old perfectly - informative and fun!"
- Nicola
Lovely session with Duncan for my 7 year old son. Informative, interesting and fun!
He loved handling the birds and learning more about them. Duncan was very warm and welcoming and supported my son perfectly. Thank you!
Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone - Andrew
"More handling time than any other centre!" - Josie
My family and I attended a private session with the birds 🦅 of prey. This was to celebrate my birthday.
Charlotte and Teri looked after us throughout the whole day. They imparted with their knowledge of the birds - where they came from, how they’re looked after etc.
The fun came when we were supported in flying these wonderful species - ranging from owls, falcons, buzzard to name just a few.
The experience of seeing the birds in flight, as well as handling them, was truly special - both emotive and exciting. We fed the birds, and experienced how strong the birds are whilst feeding, cracking through their rewards. Charlotte and Teri were fantastic hosts, and laid on a wonderful lunch - hearty food locally sourced. Our day ended with a perfect sunset and a final feast for the birds.
It was a wonderful experience which I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone wishing to experience and see these wonderful creatures. They are well looked after, and we all had a wonderful day. We will definitely be doing this again, and will be recommending it to friends and family.
Thank you for making my birthday so special.
Andrew.
"More handling time than any other falconry centre!" - Josie
What a fantastic day!! My partner and I visited and had a session with the birds.
We had a lot of handling time with each of the birds, which I know from reading other falconry businesses feedback isn’t always the case, so we were thrilled.
Charlotte took care of us throughout, with the lovely owner, Andrew, as well. They both were so knowledgeable about the birds and were happy to answer any questions we had.
I would definitely recommend a visit. The day was just incredible!
"A spectacular day out - even for our teens" - Jen
We had a super spectacular day with Andrew at Bird on the Hand with friends and our 2 teens.
It was a grand as well as fun experience and we felt super taken care of and at all times completely safe.
We got to be up close and personal with some glorious birds and developed such a huge respect and awe for them. Andrew is a master with the birds and full of interesting insights.
Thank you Andrew and team. Highly recommend.
Our No-Nonsense "Great Day" Guarantee
I want you to book with absolute confidence. Our business is built on 20 years of reputation and a genuine passion for these birds. We stand by every session we lead, which is why we offer a straightforward, no-nonsense guarantee:
- 30-Day 'Change of Mind' Return: if a gift isn't quite right for the recipient, return the voucher within 30 days for a full refund.
- The Enjoyment Promise: We personally guarantee that every participant will have a fantastic time on the day or you can have a full refund.
- The Value Promise: If, after your experience, you honestly feel it wasn't worth the price, tell us why and what you feel it was worth. We will refund the difference.
- Total Flexibility: Life happens. If you need to move your date, just talk to us. We don’t believe in re-booking fees; we’ll simply find a new slot that works for you. All we ask is as much notice as possible.
If your child is a little nervous on the day, don’t worry—we go entirely at their pace. We’re experts at making sure every young falconer feels confident and happy.
'We've found that the people we deal with are generally fair and sensible, so we keep our terms exactly the same. If there’s a problem, talk to us and we’ll sort it.' Andrew, Duncan and the Team"
Money Back Guarantee
I want you to book with absolute confidence. Our business is built on 20 years of reputation and a genuine passion for these birds. We stand by every session we lead, which is why we offer a straightforward, no-nonsense guarantee:
- 30-Day 'Change of Mind' Return: if a gift isn't quite right for the recipient, return the voucher within 30 days for a full refund.
- The Enjoyment Promise: We personally guarantee that every participant will have a fantastic time on the day or you can have a full refund.
- The Value Promise: If, after your experience, you honestly feel it wasn't worth the price, tell us why and what you feel it was worth. We will refund the difference.
- Flexible Rebooking: Life happens. If you need to move your date, just talk to us. We don’t believe in re-booking fees; we’ll simply find a new slot that works for you. All we ask is as much notice as possible.