international centre for birds of prey

What a great day out, don't be fooled by the size of the car park & front entrance! It all appears very small from the outside. Once you walk in, chat to the friendly staff and visit the immaculate toilets. You head out of the door, follow the windy path to the aviaries, it all opens out in to a very well kept and happy place for birds to live. They are all so happy, chatting to you as you walk by. The aviaries are all very clean, fresh water and plenty of information about the birds. You can adopt them too. There are 3 flying displays throughout the day. I would advise you to stay for all i3 if you can. Different birds are flown in each. All have individual characters. As do the bird team staff. You are fully informed about the birds and the staff are more than happy to go that little bit further to make you feel welcome. I went purely for the photography on the day but came back with so much more. The weather was a bit dull to get cracking shots but the birds and staff couldn't have been better. I was so impressed that I went to the shop at lunch time and bought 2 season tickets for just £72 for two adults! Extremely good value for money, you can come and go throughout the day with your wrist band - you won't leave. £8 for a day at the centre, you tell me where you can get value for money like that for a day out with the access you get. The work being done with the birds and the education given throughout the day is first class. Thank you Toby, Jimmy & Katie for a great day. I will be back next week.

Very worthwhile visit plenty to see, staff very helpful and engaging. need warm clothing this time of year. Like the armband idea went into town for lunch and came back for second air show.Good day out. Only minor critic is it would have been nice to have more info about birds during flying display - visited Cotswold falconry few years back better commentaries but not such a nice centre. Will visit ICBP again for sure.

We had a great time looking at all the birds especially the caracara and the sweet white faced owls, what characters. The flying display is a must. Brilliant day, well worth a visit.

Popped in early on a cold february morning. It kept 3 children occupied for a good couple of hours. The flying did play was Fantastic and the staff enthusiasum made the whole event hugely enjoy able. The ticket allos free return on the same day. This is worth it as the flying displays allowshave different birds. Finally Check out the caracaras!

Superb day out value for money staff really friendly and knowledge about the dirds must see if in the area.

Brilliant. Take the kids. Love these glorious birds. Breathe in the enthusiasm from the handlers.We were just enthralled by these birds and their stories. The conditions for the birds are excellent and the fact that they fly every day surprised us.

We visited the ICBP at Helmsley yesterday. I'm ashamed to admit, as we live locally, that it was our first visit, although we've been meaning to go for months. It certainly won't be our last! We were a mixed family group, from 6 years old to Grandparents, and everyone had a brilliant time. The Centre is much larger and impressive than I expected, with a great range of birds of prey to see in open, well-spaced aviaries - from tiny, exotic owls to massive eagles and vultures. The highlights are definitely the flying displays at 11.30 am and 2pm. Charlie and Jimmy, the two rangers/guides/experts we had were fantastic, talking us through the story of the particular bird they were exercising and its breed, while letting the birds show off their skills to maximum effect. There really were "oohs" and "aahs" from all of us, as the birds swept inches above our heads and sat right next to us. Brilliant stuff: educational, entertaining and (in the words of the teenager present) "truly awesome".Each session demonstrates different birds, and as your ticket buys unlimited return visits during a single day, it is well worth seeing both. The little cafe in the shop only serves hot and cold drinks, biscuits etc (at the moment), but that's fine. Bring your own picnic to enjoy at the tables provided or (as we did) duck into Hemsley between shows to have lunch/pick up take aways. Just make sure you see both sessions.My partner and I are so taken that we want to buy season tickets and we will definitely be bringing all the visitors who come and stay with us to this great place. Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks for coming and taking the time to do a review. The cafe situation was not of our making (long story!!), but we are close to getting it sorted in time for Easter.You'll have to come again when it is warmer and join us for lunch too!!

A brilliant and very educational day out.Once you've paid to go in you can come and go as you please during the day.The flying demonstrations or something to behold.Would highly recommend this for anybody to go to

The pheasants have an interesting life here - they do learn which of our birds can be trusted - and which of them can't!The cafe situation is being addresses as I type!Thanks for coming

We went twice in 24 hours, firstly for the Winter Owl Evening and then again the next day to see the place in daylight- there are several staff who are all very passionate about the birds having developed a close relationship with some of them. The aviaries are large and the birds seem extremely well cared for. The Winter Owl evening was wonderful - we got to see six different birds, the fairy lights made the place very atmospheric and the two course meal was much better than I expected. Muckles the Barn Owl was adorable! This place is only just starting their third season and I wish them every success.

This is a great place to visit to see many birds of prey. The flying demos are informal, informative and fantastic to watch. All the birds look well cared for and everyone has a good sense of humour!

Thanks for coming - Atlas the Steller's Sea Eagle is coming on in leaps and bounds. Come again soon and I think you'll see a real difference. He is going to be a real megastar

My husband and I discovered this place by chance whilst travelling through the area and we are so thrilled that we did! We arrived just in time for the 11.30 demonstration and of course then stayed to see the 2pm show. As the other reviews have all said, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and the flying demonstrations were wonderful. My only regret is that we did not discover this place sooner as I would have loved to visit one of the Winter Owl Evenings (be sure to see us there in December!).

If we all pray for spring - maybe it will get a move on!When the leaves on the veteran oak trees come out - it really changes the way the whole centre looks and feels