Vale Royal Falconry is a falconry centre and bird of prey collection in the Cheshire countryside, at Sandycroft on Warrington Road in Acton Bridge, near Northwich (CW8 3QB). It isn't inside Chester itself, although the local guide to things to do around Tarporley lists it among the places near Chester. The centre is run by professional falconers Phil and Nanette, whose stated aim is to teach visitors about British birds of prey, their habitats and the old craft of falconry.
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Visits are by prior appointment only, so you can't simply turn up. The main options are a 2-hour hawk and owl experience, a hawk walk or owl prowl lasting an hour, and falconry experience days, which combine both. Tailored private bookings are also available. The website says places on the exclusive experience days were limited and offered during spring, summer and autumn. The centre also runs lessons and courses based on the LANTRA Beginning Falconry Award structure, covering bird of prey management, husbandry and basic falconry techniques.
The birds on show include many British species, from a golden eagle to a barn owl. Two residents are named on the website: Den, a 32-year-old eagle owl, and Tara, a tawny owl. For events, the team offers mobile shows with flying demonstrations and audience participation, suitable for village fetes, school fun days, corporate events and other special occasions. A shorter visit can consist of a flying demonstration straight from the van, and indoor talks are available where required.
On safety, the centre states that it holds at least £10M public liability insurance, has risk assessments in place and employs an in-house Health & Safety officer with NEBOSH and IOSH qualifications. All birds are registered with the local authority under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and, where required, hold Animal Health and Article 10 certificates for public display.
The 2026 season ran from 1 April to 30 September and has now finished, so any future visit will depend on dates the centre has yet to confirm. To ask about them, you can call 07974 064078 or email mail@valeroyalfalconry.com.
Published Date
29 October 2026
