Join us at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary for a Super Hero Halloween!

Complete our 'Animal Super Powers' Trail for a chance to win an Animal Adoption.

Spot the Golden Pumpkin hidden somewhere in the Sanctuary and win a 'Come Fly with Me' Close Encounter or an Animal Adoption for those under 8.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY ONLY Purchase some tombola tickets and see if you get lucky; all of the tombola proceeds will go towards the running of the Raptor Hospital.

We welcome anyone who wants to dress up but we do ask that you do so with consideration for the birds; so please no props such as swords which may spook them.

Join us here at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary to celebrate Red Squirrel Awareness Week! Come along to our special Squirrel Talk, which will take place every day of the week at 12:30pm, to learn about these amazing creatures and their conservation. We'll be raising money during the week to help us furnish and plant our new Red Squirrel Enclosures. We hope to see you there!

Vultures are large birds of prey that are obligatory scavengers, meaning they mostly eat dead animals as a food source. They play a very important hygienic role in cleaning up ecosystems where carcasses of dead animals abound, such as throughout Africa. Removing dead animals from the environment by feeding on them reduces the risk of diseases that may spread to other species.

Held annually on the first Saturday in September, the Endangered Wildlife Trust established this international day of celebration and more than 100 organisations from 43 countries now participate in an event to reflect on the importance of vultures and the essential role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Thousands of miles away from the natural habitats of vultures, the staff of Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns is passionate about these fascinating birds, is keen to promote the plight of the critically endangered species like the Hooded Vultures and White-Backed Vulture, and eventually we want to play our part in introducing fresh bloodlines into breeding programmes established in the UK that can add to stocks of young birds carefully bred in this country to help repopulate the species in their land of origin.

To find out more, visit S.O.S. for this special event which includes a variety of fun activities, flying displays, and the opportunity to meet Nancy the White-Backed Vulture together with Ruby the Rüppells Griffon Vulture, and Toto, the Hooded Vulture who was born at the Sanctuary of proud parents Rose & Jack. You’ll have a great day - we look forward to seeing you on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September!

For more information, visit https://ewt.org.za/what-we-do/saving-species/vultures/

Now Spring has sprung, we’re pleased to open up the new season at Suffolk Owls with new flying displays, new residents, new encounters and plenty more to see over the Easter Holidays. There’s also a special Easter Competition for the youngsters with a sweet treat for all, and of course the S.O.S. Safari quiz trail to keep all the family on their toes.

Flying displays are at 11.30 and 2.30 daily (weather permitting) and you can meet the Mob at the meerkat feeding times of 11.00 and 2.00.

Admission includes a come-and-go pass so that you can visit all the 30+ shops, other attractions including a vintage fun fair and Adventure Golf, and enjoy refreshments at Cafe 24 and the Tea Pot Pottery Tea Shop all here at Stonham Barns Park, and return to see us as many times as you like throughout the day!

Finally, don’t forget to visit our new residents Melanie & Pedro, a wonderful pair of hairy armadillos who have joined us this week. You’ll be fascinated, and we - and they - look forward to seeing you!

Our Falconers will be giving some interesting talks about our birds as they exercise some of our favourite owls throughout the half-term holidays between 1.00 and 1.30 daily (weather permitting), giving all our visitors a chance to learn more about the behaviours, natural habitats, diets, and threats as well as fun stories about some the birds we work with every day. Plus of course, the Meerkat Mob are here, always engaging and fun to watch in their new castle.

For the youngsters, there’s a FREE prize draw for all who complete our February Fact Finder Trail with an annual family ticket for the winner, and a free gift for all those who complete the S.O.S. Safari!

* KIDS GO FREE: Children 3 and under go free at all times. During the Half Term Hoot 17th to 25th February, up to 3 youngsters aged 4-16 will go free when accompanied by a paying adult. No pre-booking for this event, just turn up on the day.

So come on down - we look to seeing you for our Half Term Hoot!

Spend some time with the owls, buzzards, falcons, eagles and vultures over Half Term as the youngsters enjoy the S.O.S. Safari discovery activity, meet the Meerkats, take part in the Tombstone Trail, take part in the Fancy Dress Competition AND take home some free washable tattoos to spook all their friends! SEE MORE BELOW

Here are some scary ideas to start you thinking
- we’re sure you can do better!

To enter the competition, just take a photo of your kids on a visit to SOS over the weekend of the 28th/29th October and the best photo will win an owl adoption or family day pass to the Centre. For more details on how to enter the competition, email us at education@owlhelp.org.uk

Our Falconers will be giving some interesting talks about our owls and birds of prey twice daily throughout the half-term holidays at 11.30 and 2.30 daily, giving all our visitors a chance to learn more about the behaviours, natural habitats, diets, and threats as well as some fun stories about the birds we work with every day, from cute owls to impressive eagles and vultures. Plus of course, the Meerkat Mob are here, always engaging and fun to watch.

For the youngsters there’s a FREE prize draw for all who complete our KidzQuiz Half Term Trail - and a giant fluffy owl for the winner!

So come on down - we look to seeing you for our Half Term Hoot!

So cc

Youngsters will have some Right Royal Fun with our special Jubilee Quiz which runs throughout the Half Term Holidays - winners of our FREE prize draw will receive a family day pass to the Sanctuary, so don’t forget to leave your contact details as you may be the lucky one!

Youngsters can get a taste of the Easter Holiday festivities with our special Easter Egg Trail which will take place from Monday 11th April through to Sunday 25th April, to cover all the local school holidays.

Simply complete our owlish quiz trail as you explore the Sanctuary and there will be a tasty treat waiting for you at reception before you go home.

Meanwhile, you’ll be able to see some of our amazing owls, eagles, vultures, falcons and more, the opportunity to find out all about our conservation and wild owl nest box, rescue and rehabilitation schemes, and of course our inquisitive Meerkat Mob will be on hand to greet you.

Don't forget our come-&-go ticket means you can also enjoy all the other activities, entertainments and shops at Stonham Barns Park between the talks and completing the Easter Egg Quiz Trail!

Join us this half term for a fun-filled day out with the family!
We’ll have a special trail for young visitors to solve the clues for, with all completed trails being entered into a free prize draw for a free family ticket

Join our Education Team at 1pm Mon-Fri in SOS2 for some free extra activities.

On Monday and Tuesday we will have a Meet the Minibeasts talk, where visitors can learn more about the important roles that Invertebrates play in their habitats.

On Wednesday, we will be reading a special story, with fun activities.

On Thursday and Friday we will be offering visitors a chance to get crafty.

Join us for some daytime fun in the half-term holidays during the build-up to Halloween, when all young visitors can follow the Tombstone Trail, collect some owl-ish washable tattoos to wear and take part in the SOS Safari as they discover all the owls and other birds of prey at S.O.S. We’re open from 10.00am until 5.00pm daily (the Tombstone Trail starts at 11.00 each morning) and the come-&-go ticket means you can visit all the other attractions at Stonham Barns and return for S.O.S. for more fun, especially the Flying Displays at 11.30 and 2.30 featuring some of our amazing birds (or an “Up Close and Personal” talk with falconers and birds if it’s too wet or windy) and on Sunday 31st only, some “Creepy Crawly” talks at SOS2. We look forward to seeing you, and remember - pre-booking is NOT essential for this event.

We’re pleased to announce a half-term event for youngsters - the Halloween Trail. We’ve set up a spooky-themed quiz for families to do together, and there’s a prize for every youngster who can solve the mystery puzzle at the end..

To make your day, there will be over 70 owls and other birds of prey to see including our amazing vultures, flying displays at 11.30 and 1.30, ‘Meet The Meerkats’ talks at 10.45 and 2.15 and the inclusive play area will be open - all covered by you come-&-go tickets which mean you can explore the rest of what Stonham Barns has to offer and return to S.O.S. whenever you like.

Please note that all the current ‘Covid Secure’ advice for the safety of everyone visiting S.O.S. will be in place. These include advance booking to make sure we’re not over crowded and social distancing can be maintained (please note the maximum number in any visiting group is six), temperature and NHS Track & Trace safeguards on admission, friendly social distancing monitors, plenty of sanitising stations around the centre and masks to be worn in restricted access indoor areas. Click here for all information.

January 30th is a time to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young carers and campaign for greater support.

A young carer is a person aged between 5 and 25, who provides care and support in some way for someone else. The person they provide care for is often a parent, or a relative who is physically or mentally ill, frail and elderly, disabled or misuses alcohol or substances. Young carers could also be supporting and caring for a brother or sister.

Amongst the young carer’s many daily challenges, is that of finding time for themselves for enjoyment and spending stress-free, quality time with their family and friends.

Click here for information on support available in Suffolk

We would like to help by offering a small respite…To celebrate, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary are offering FREE ENTRY for all accredited young carers and up to four family members on Saturday 1st February and Sunday 2nd February.

No pre-booking is necessary, but please do bring your Young Carers Card with you.

If you have any questions relating to this offer, please give us a call on 03456 807 897 (opt 3) or email catherine@owlbarn.co.uk

Join us again for another fun start to Christmas with our special weekend for youngsters. Admission to the centre will be free to all, Father Christmas will be on hand together with his elves and a gift for all children. The Sanctuary will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm on both days and during your visit to Stonham you’ll be able to enjoy the Christmas Craft Fair, shops and other attractions including a miniature fun fair, Tumbledown Play Barn, Adventure Golf and more. Our popular guest Elf Natalie will be on hand to sign the festive visit for deaf youngsters on Sunday 1st.

Visits to Father Christmas with gift cost £4.00. To avoid queuing on the day of your visit, please book ahead by calling us on 03456 807897