Woodlands Falconry

You walk in expecting the usual zoo setup, but Woodlands Falconry is nothing like that. This is all about birds of prey - hawks, falcons, eagles - and watching them work. The handlers know their stuff, and they'll talk you through the birds' habits and hunting techniques with genuine enthusiasm rather than reading from a script.

The demonstrations are the real draw here. Seeing a falcon stoop at speed or an eagle's wing span up close hits differently than photos. Kids tend to stay engaged for a solid couple of hours, especially if there's a flying display on. Younger ones might find the waiting between demonstrations a touch dull, so check what's on before you visit.

It's free admission, which is brilliant, though donations are encouraged and honestly, fair enough given the upkeep these birds require. You're looking at a two to three-hour visit if you catch a display, less if you're just wandering round the aviaries.

Situated just outside Kingsbridge, it works nicely as a half-day stop if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Ramslade or Whitehill are both close enough for a morning visit before heading back for lunch. Not a all-day commitment, but the kind of thing that makes a rainy afternoon worthwhile. Bring a jumper; you'll be standing around outdoors watching birds, and the South Devon coast wind can bite.