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.

Gift vouchers are available for all experiences making an ideal gift for the person who has everything Contact Swinton Park 01765 680900

Hawk Walks

This is the perfect opportunity to experience the versatility of a hawk as it darts in and out of trees and flies to your gloved fist. We focus on allowing hands of experience and a close insight into the harris hawk.

A Hawk Walk involves the flying of Harris hawks around the splendour of the castle grounds.

Our experienced handlers will aid you on your experience and let you know a little about the training, handling, and history of the sport of falconry as you enjoy your experience.

The 200 acre Parkland is perfect location for the experience and also allows close up encounters of the fallow deer and other various wildlife. As the hawk is released it will follow you through the trees and glide down to your gloved fist.

The Harris Hawk is the most commonly flown bird of prey throughout the UK due to their amazing temperament and unique flying abilities.

Swinton Park Guests as well as non-residents are very welcome to book a Harris Hawk flying experience or any other bird of prey experience. This is a unique experience lasting approximately an hour involving a short instruction on safely handling the hawk, before taking it out under supervision into the grounds of Swinton Park before having it fly down to your fist in spectacular style.

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 time for some bird handling. Display of 6 birds, for 1 hour.

Please read - More information - Terms and Conditions

How to book your experience - either contact Events Co-Ordinator Jo Lapham or Sophie by using the website form

Owl Experiences

A perfect experience for anyone with a love of owls.

An owl experience last approximately an hour and enables you to learn a little whilst you handle and fly owls of all shapes and sizes within the hotel grounds.

This experience begins with a short introduction to the owls at Swinton Park, which range from the tiny barn owl through to the large eagle owls 'meet the team'. One of our experienced keepers will guide you as you fly, feed and handle each bird. This is a one on one and very hands on experience and provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of owls from all corners of the world.

View the silent flight and gracefulness of an owl as it swoops silently towards you.

Half Day Falconry

Half-day introduction to falconry involves the flying of a wider variety of birds of prey and offers the opportunity to get a closer insight into the bird of prey world.

The experience usually begins at around 10am where you will be introduced to our experienced falconer. You will then be given an informal introduction to the birds before assisting in the flying of a large griffon vulture or an owl of your choice.

During this experience you will be introduced to the birds at Swinton Park, before assisting in the handling of the birds during this time you will be shown how birds are held safely and trained. This is then followed by the opportunity to fly a variety of birds of prey which you have previously spent time with.

A hawk walk is also incorporated within your experience and provides the perfect completion to a unique day.

Lasting around three hours

We also offer a couples package (two people on a shared basis)

Gift vouchers are available for all experiences making an ideal gift -

Contact Swinton Park 01765 680900

Swinton Park residents - please book falconry experiences in advance, before your stay in avoid disappointment.

 

Hunting Day with Hawks

The hawks are also available to take hunting on the estate. This involves the use of ferrets or dogs and is the best opportunity to see the birds performing at their best. Allowing you to watch the spectacular manoeuvres and hunting expertise of a bird of prey as it shows off its natural hunting techniques.

The day begins with a short informal introduction to the birds you will be spending the day with. You will then be shown how to handle and fly your bird safely before taking them out into the surrounding estate to begin your hunting experience.

(Hunting season only)