Herrings Green Activity Farm

• Discover a variety of animals at Herrings Green Activity Farm and Birds of Prey Centre.
• See amazing shows by the bird keepers throughout the day.
• Meet the newest additions to the farm, including brand new babies.
• See a whole new side to the animals at one of the experience days.

Herrings Green Activity Farm is a farm in Wilstead, Bedfordshire. It has one of the UK’s largest collections of birds of prey as well as plenty of other animals and is also The English School of Falconry. If you enjoyed Stockwood Discovery Centre or Mead Open Farm, you will love Herrings Green Activity Farm.
 

Your day will begin looking at the variety of animals that live at Herrings Green Farm and getting to meet some of them up close. With reptiles galore, Alpacas, and creepy crawlies, there’ll be something to see at Herrings. Meet animals like hedgehogs with the animal encounters that the farm puts on, say hello to the friendly shire horse at the Shire Horse Meet & Talk, pat a pet, like the rabbits, brush some ponies at the Pony Boutique, and discover goats at Tatty Mac’s Farm. You’ll find adorable babies at The Hatchery too.
 

With falcons, owls, hawks, and eagles, the birds of prey you’ll meet during your day are an incredible sight to behold. The English School of Falconry experience is an incredible one. The team offers a large static display and can talk to guests about the birds with their well-developed knowledge. Each twenty minute show is different too. Free flying American Bald Eagles, African Fish Eagle, Falcons, Hawks and Owls are accompanied by fun and in-depth talks about the birds. If your child is feeling lucky, they might even get a gift for helping to participate.
 

Herrings Green Activity Farm is well known for its special events and experiences, at a range of prices. Enjoy an Afternoon Tea at Herrings Green Farm, with half-price tickets for the farm once you’ve finished your meal, or make it extra special by choosing an experience like dining with owls. Try Laser Clay Pigeon shooting, with several games to see who has the best aim in the family. Prefer a more traditional aiming game? Archery and crossbow sessions are available. If your child loves playing in the dirt, they might enjoy a half-day experience with jungle critters, meeting insects like giant millipedes and snails to tarantulas and scorpions, while also meeting parrots, a skunk, and a baby wallaby. You can be a keeper for a day, or meet the finest British birds of prey. You can pick your favourite type of bird and spend the day with them. For budding photographers, there’s the opportunity to sit with a falconer and have different birds brought out to photograph all over the Farm. Some of the experiences will even let you branch out into Bedfordshire for your hawking fun. There’s such a variety.
 

The Farm also runs the Young Falconers Club for 6-16-year-olds. For ten months, not including August or September, you’ll meet once a month for two and a half hours. You’ll learn about falconry and the birds, and make friends with people just as passionate as you. You’ll learn the falconer's knot which keeps the bird safe but attached to you, as well as the safety of handling the birds. You’ll also handle and fly different species of owls, hawks, eagles and falcons, make equipment, prepare food, go hunting with the hawks and more. In September you’ll even be able to put on your own flying show. For older children, there are two day or five-day falconry courses that they can get involved with which have slightly more detail in them, like the law and falconry, and the health and diseases of the birds, as well as how to find lost hawks.
 

There’s also the opportunity to support the farm with a membership, or to support a particular animal through adoption; you can pick from any of the 200 animals at the farm. You’ll receive a photograph of your animal, a certificate of adoption and your name on the adoption board, an information sheet on the animal, a free ticket to visit, 10% off any experience days, and a quarterly newsletter. If you’ve made a scaly, furry or fluffy friend, you won’t have to say goodbye at the end of the day.

If you’re feeling peckish, you’re welcome to eat a picnic among the animals.  Food is also available at the park. Have something sweet at the Ice Cream & Milkshake Shack, or relax in the Tea Room. If the kids still need to get their energy out, there’s plenty to play on. Enjoy a ride on tractors, the Pirates Cove playground, Freda’s Milking Parlour and more.

What to know before you go

• Currently, the opening times are from 10am to 5pm, but these are subject to change.
• Toilets are available on site, but there are no baby-changing facilities. There are facilities in Bedford.
• The Farm is wheelchair and buggy friendly.

Getting there

• The Farm is a 13-minute drive from the centre of Bedford.
• Parking is free at the Farm.
• The closest train is Bedford Midland Station, but you will need to catch the bus.
• For buses, you can use the 9A or 9B bus from Bedford to Wilstead Road.
• Cycle routes are available.