Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Horsham brings families straight to Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre and Garden, a popular wildlife attraction located in West Sussex. This educational family visitor destination allows children to discover incredible raptors, walk-through garden exhibits, and daily flying displays.
Online admission ticket prices start from £13.00 for adults when booked in advance, with gate prices starting from £14.00. Children aged 2 to 15 can enter from £8.00 online, while required carers and infants under 2 enter free. Visitors can spend an engaging afternoon exploring the aviaries, meeting resident birds up close, and enjoying talks from expert handlers.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines majestic birds of prey with peaceful garden surroundings, this West Sussex attraction offers exceptional value. Its daily aerial demonstrations, interactive handling experiences, and family-friendly atmosphere make it a top choice for a memorable weekend trip.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Hillier Garden Centre Restaurant: On-site dining facilities located just outside the entrance, offering hot meals, snacks, and drinks to enjoy on-site or at the centre's picnic tables.
- Surrounding West Sussex Countryside: Scenic rural walking routes and local attractions situated close to Horsham.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently highlight how close children can get to magnificent owls, eagles, and hawks during the day.
- Visitors appreciate the friendly, knowledgeable staff who deliver engaging talks and answer children's questions.
- The compact layout makes it easy to explore everything within a couple of hours without wearing out younger children.
- Families love being able to bring their own food and make use of the picnic benches.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some reviewers note that toilet facilities require a short walk back out to the main garden centre building.
- Flying displays can occasionally be altered or cancelled if weather conditions turn unfavorable for the birds.
- Parking spaces can get busy during peak weekend periods due to shared use with the wider garden centre.
Park Attractions and Exhibits:
- Main Arena: Open-air space hosting scheduled daily flying demonstrations.
- Aviary Row: Specialized enclosures housing individual species of hawks, owls, and falcons.
- Meerkat Habitat: Dedicated viewing area for the centre's playful resident meerkats.
- Garden Pathways: Accessible walking routes winding through landscaped flora and the wider garden centre grounds.
- Gift Shop: On-site retail space offering bird-themed toys, souvenirs, and wildlife memorabilia.
New for 2026:
- Expanded Educational Workshops: Updated school visit modules and seasonal handling programs designed to align with modern curriculum standards.
- Enhanced Visitor Sheds: Refined weather-proof viewing areas around the main arena to ensure comfortable observation during variable conditions.
21.64 miles
