The Cornish Birds of Prey Centre

A rescue centre and family day out, rolled into one

Set on the A39 at Winnards Perch, roughly midway between St Columb Major and Wadebridge, the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre has long been a fixture of family days out in mid-Cornwall. Today it operates as a nonprofit Community Interest Company, dedicated to the care and welfare of birds of prey and other animals that have been mistreated, unwanted, injured or neglected - rather than breeding or trading animals for profit. A walk around the centre takes in the resident birds at close range, with plenty of their individual rescue stories on show alongside them.

Visitors can catch the centre's flying displays, where the birds are put through their paces in the open air, and there's a genuine hands-on side too: bookable handling sessions, half-day falconry experiences and half-day owl experiences let visitors get properly close to the birds, and photography sessions are available for anyone wanting to bring home more than a phone snap. A wildflower pond and play area round out the site for younger visitors between displays.

Next door, the Atlantic Play Barn is a separate indoor play facility that pairs well with a visit to the birds - useful on a wet Cornish afternoon, or simply to let energy-filled younger family members run around after a quieter walk past the aviaries. An on-site tearoom serves Cornish pasties, sausage rolls, cream teas and cakes, with gluten-free and vegan options, sourcing food from local suppliers including Just Cornish Ltd and Boddingtons Berries - and visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnic.