This post is based on a visit in July 2021. Please always check information with venue direct when making plans as information (especially opening hours and admission) may have changed.
We visited Kirkleatham Owl Centre in summer 2021 whilst staying at Saltburn Holiday Lets.
Kirkleatham Owl Centre is in Redcar and part of a wider estate - you can choose to visit all or some of the attractions on offer which are all close together.
Attractions include:
- Playground & Picnic Area (free)
- Kirkleatham Museum (free)
- Kirkleatham Woodland Walk (free)
- Kirkleatham Walled Garden & Cafe (chargeable)
- Kirkleatham Owl Centre (chargeable)
I believe there is sometimes a pop-up coffee/cake trailer in the grounds too.
The estate offers public toilets (including disabled and baby change) near the car park, ample free parking on site, a picnic area, cycle storage and is served by bus (Arriva Kirkleatham 81, 81A, 63 and 64 at time of publishing). Address: Kirkleatham Estate. Redcar. TS10 5NW
Kirkleatham Owl Centre
Admission to Kirkleatham Owl Centre is an absolute bargain. Prices in 2021 are: - Family ticket (2A, 2C) £10
- Adults £3.50
- U16s £2.50
- Senior Citizens £3
The site is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs with wide & flat, surfaced paths throughout. At the moment, they are cash only so bring some £. They also have a small gift shop / ice lollies and cold drinks for sale.
It is a short walk from the car park past the playground, toilets & museum to the owl centre entrance. It is well signposted and you can't miss it.
The centre is generally open Thursday-Sunday from 10am during term time and Tuesday-Sunday from 10am during school holidays (excluding Christmas).
I cannot find the info online but I assume, along with most of the other attractions at Kirkleatham, it is assistance dogs only.
In the school holidays additional activities are available - check out their Facebook page for announcements.
As you approach the Owl Centre you may spot a chicken or peacock.
The Owl Centre is a one way circular route with the flying arena in the centre. As well as a variety of owls, there are also parrots, meerkats, guinea pigs, vultures, emus and lots of different tropical and exotic birds.
Each enclosure has an information board sharing a little about the bird on display (such as name / habitat etc......).
There is such a large variety on display here. We walked around three times during our visit. Kirkleatham Owl Centre is one of the UK's oldest established owl centres and is one of only 3 Biaza (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) members in North East England.
The team of staff and volunteers is small and you can see how much they care for the animals.
How cute is this Guinea Pig Village! I love it.
Flying displays / talks take place at 2:30pm and are included with your admission. Definitely worth timing your visit or popping back if you can as you do get to learn a lot more about the birds and see their natural behaviours up close.
We absolutely loved meeting these baby vultures. It is a good chance for inquisitive kids to ask questions too.
In some school holidays, there is an additional display earlier in the day but again, do check with their FB page when planning your day.
Kirkleatham Owl Centre is such a good value day out and one I would recommend for all ages. Find out more here.
Kirkleatham Playground
There is a free-to-use (for all visitors) playground on the Kirkleatham Estate just next to the car park. It is in excellent condition and there are picnic tables too.
Kirkleatham Woodland Trail
Visitors can also enjoy the short woodland / wellbeing trail through the woods between the museum and car park. It is free to try with no booking required.
Kirkleatham Museum
As you are already on site, it pays to visit Kirkleatham Museum too. It is next door to the Owl Centre and free to visit with no booking required. I really enjoyed the museum and exhibitions included:
- Steel Stories
- WW1
- Saxon Princess
- Gertrude Ball
The popular Festival of Thrift takes place in Kirkleatham on 25 & 26 September 2021. Find out more here. You may want to book tickets and enjoy the festival or avoid this weekend as it will be much busier than usual.
Kirkleatham Walled Garden
Sadly, the Walled Garden was not open on the day of our visit but it looks glorious and admission is reasonable too. If I was to visit the Owl Centre again, I would 100% visit Kirkleatham Walled Garden too - it is just next door.
We had a brilliant time at Kirkleatham Owl Centre and the wider estate. It is one of those places which exceeded my expectations and it is somewhere to visit if you are looking for a cheap day out with a few options for things to do in the vicinity.
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