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!

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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

Suffolk Day 2019 will be something special at S.O.S. As the event is taking place on a Friday, we’re promoting the 'day as a ‘weekend’ event and to celebrate are offering our Family Day Pass for just £10 on each of the three days!

This will include come-&-go admission to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and include:

• Over 80 beautiful owls and other birds of prey

• Spectacular flying displays*

• The S.O.S. Safari with prizes for every young visitor

• The new Bird of Prey Hospital

• Our Meerkat Mob, Ferrets and Red Squirrels in the Woodland Walk

• Discovery Centre and British Wildlife Information Centre

• Mini-Maze and the inclusive playground at Cobweb Corner

• Picnic and relaxation areas throughout the centre in amongst the aviaries

Enjoy a great day out, gates open at 10.00 am and the park closes at 5.00pm.

*Flying Displays are weather permitting and will be replaced by talks with the birds if weather inclement.

Make the best of your Bank Holiday with a trip to Stonham Barns with a visit to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. Our all day come-&-go ticket means you can admire over 80 beautiful owls and other stunning birds of prey and see many of them showing off their aerial exterity in up to three flying displays throughout the day, find out all about our wild owl nest box, rescue and rehabilitation schemes in our drive to promote their conservation; visit the Woodland Walk and our small colony of red squirrels and enjoy the company of our cheeky mob at Meerkat Kastle whilst the youngsters explore the mini-maze, complete the S.O.S. Owl Safari competition with a prize for all and have fun in our inclusive playground.

When you’re not our guests at the Sanctuary, you can visit the Stonham Barns shops and art gallery, enjoy a meal at the Café Bistro, play Adventure Golf or Footgolf, go fishing, explore the TeaPot Pottery, Teashop and Garden Centre, or take the kids to the Tumbledown playbarn. S.O.S. is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Enjoy!