Badgers

During the day our badger family sleep in their underground sett, where you can see them in our special observation area. They usually emerge later in the afternoon in The Copse area to feed.

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Barn Owls

We have two pairs of barn owls which can be seen free-flying at our afternoon owl displays. They are one of the world's most widespread birds and with their excellent vision and hearing they are expert hunters.

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The Barn

This area is the habitat of farm buildings and barns. Animals like mice, rats and barn owls often live close to people in farms and other buildings. You can see them here in a real barn!

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Buzzards

We have two buzzards - this female is Bella. These magnificent large hawks eat surprisingly small prey for their size.

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The Copse

The Copse is the location of Britain's first Walk-Through Red Squirrel Enclosure. With no barriers between you and the squirrels you can walk among them in their woodland home for the kind of close-up viewing almost impossible in nature. The Copse features a number of wildlife habitats such as woodland edge, grassland and scrub. Muntjac browse the vegetation, while late in the afternoon the badgers come out to forage.

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The Dell

This outside area is the location for the owl display held every afternoon on open days. You'll see five species including the tawny owl, barn owl and the magnificent eagle owl. See them in all their glory at this free-flying demonstration.

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Fallow Deer

We have a small herd of fallow deer which reside in our Deer Park and three friendly hand-reared fallow deer nearby. These are the deer introduced to Britain by the Normans. They now live wild in many parts of the country.

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Foxes

We have two fox families in their own enclosures. They have dug their own extensive den to sleep in but love to come out to see visitors. During the spring we are often lucky enough to welcome cubs.

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The Hedgerow

The Hedgerow is home to many small creatures like hedgehogs, rabbits, stoats, weasels, mice and voles as well as an observation bee hive!

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Kestrels

A common small bird of prey, frequently seen hovering in the breeze over open countryside looking for food. We have a pair of kestrels in the otuside aviaries.

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Little Owls

The smallest British owl and the most commonly seen as it is sometimes out during daylight hours. Introduced into Britain in the 19th century, it is now found throughout lowland England and Wales. A pair of little owls can be seen
in the outside aviaries.

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Long-eared Owls

Our pair of long-eared owls joined us in spring 2010 and are on display in the outside aviaries. This shy and secretive owl is a British native with golden eyes, prominent ear-tufts and a tall slim stature. A pair of long-eared owls can be seen in the outside aviaries, plus one that features in our owl flying display.

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American Mink

American mink was brought over to Britain by fur farm operators. Though farming has ceased, many mink had already escaped into the wild and have had a devastating effect on native wildlife, in particular the water vole. We a
non-breeding pair named Mork and Mindy! 

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Muntjac

The muntjac is a small deer originally native to China and other parts of eastern Asia. It was brought to private estates in Britain about a hundred years ago but has since escaped and is thriving in the wild throughout southern England. Our muntjac reside in the Copse with the red squirrels and in the deer enclosure with the roe deer.

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Nocturnal House

This unique enclosure, housing rarely seen native night species, was opened by Chris Packham in March 2012. Featuring specially designed reverse lighting, the Nocturnal House allows you to observe the mysterious night time world of bats, hedgehogs and dormice during the day.

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                      Hugh Clark / BCT

Otters

We have four otters living in large natural ponds at the edge of the deer park - a fantastic setting! One of the ponds features a unique observation otter holt, where visitors can view our otters when at rest, curled up asleep.

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Picnic Areas

Our main outdoor picnic area, just outside the Visitor Centre, is great during fine weather, where you can relax under the shade of low trees and in case rain appears you can take shelter in the nearby Coffee Shop. There is also a picnic area in 'deer corner'.

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Pine Martens

The pine marten is rarely seen in the wild. They are agile hunters with attractive colouring and features. We currently have four, called Hamish, Buttons, Bonnie and Clyde. Their enclosures are linked by overhead runs and Hamish enjoys viewing visitors from on high.

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Polecats

We have two breeding pairs of polecats and a number of litters of youngsters, called kits, are born each year.

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Red Deer

In this large parkland setting we have a herd of about fourteen red deer headed by the ten year old stag Eric.

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Red Squirrels

We have a growing colony of red squirrels, with several breeding pairs and a number of youngsters (kits) each year. Many of these have been released into our new Walk-Through Red Squirrel enclosure, the first of its kind in the country, located in the Copse. In spring 2011 our first litter of kits were bred and born in the walk-through enclosure.

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Roe Deer

The roe deer is a small, shy native deer and is widespread throughout Britain. Its preferred habitat is woodland, and it feeds by browsing on leaves and shrubs. Our small herd of roe deer reside with the muntjac in the deer enclosure.

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Short-eared Owls

Our male short-eared owl 'Fawkes' is on display in the outside aviaries. This striking native owl has penetrating bright yellow eyes. A short-eared owl's ear tufts are rarely visible but displayed when the owl is alarmed or in defensive mode. Unusually for owls it a ground nesting bird and hunts by day and by night.

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Snakes: Adders & Grass Snakes

You'll have to look very carefully to see the snakes as they are well camouflaged in their natural habitat, but when the sun's out they are often seen  out basking to soak up the warmth. In spring you may be lucky enough to witness the adders 'dance', when two males compete for a female. Their bodies rise up and intertwine in an attempt to force each other to the ground. 

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grass snakes

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Snowy Owls

Usually found only in Arctic and Scandinavian regions, the snowy owl does visit Scotland, although it has not bred there for several years.

We have two adult snowy owls. The female named Hermoine lives in the outside aviaries. The male, named Hedwig, can be seen in full flight at the owl flying display, held every afternoon on open days.

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Stoats & Weasels

These small but elusive predators are rarely seen in the wild, but we have these appealing creatures to view in the indoor Hedgerow display.

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Tawny Owls

Britain's most common owl lives in woodland habitat and is responsible for the familiar "t-whit-t'whoo' hooting sound heard at night. Tawny owls feature in the afternoon owl display

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Theatre

We have a rolling programme of unique wildlife films made specially for us. The theatre also features in scheduled school visits.

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Visitor Centre

All the facilities you need for an enjoyable visit including the wildlife Gift Shop and the Coffee Shop, which serves hot & cold drinks, sandwiches, pastries, cakes, ice creams and snacks.

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Water Voles

The water vole is one of Britain's most endangered mammals, and is now rarely seen. We are breeding water voles here for future release in our wetland nature reserve, and with a bit of patience they can be seen here in their pond, especially when their food is put out.

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Wetland Boardwalk

Over 600 metres of boardwalk takes you into our developing wetland nature reserve (currently 20 acres but growing), with wonderful views and a huge variety of wildlife moving in, including a group of resident nesting herons.

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Scottish Wildcats

In Britain they are found only in remote parts of Scotland. Larger and fiercer than the domestic cat, the wildcat has distinctive markings, short dense fur and a thick bushy tail. We have four on display. In spring 2010 four wildcat kittens were born here, after a gap of five years.

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