National Centre for Birds of Prey (NCBP)

The NCBP is a centre located in Duncombe Park, Helmsley. I visited in early March, not knowing what to expect as I had seen it in passing and decided to take a look. When I drove there, I was immediately greeted by the expansive rolling grounds of Duncombe Park accompanied by some beautiful buildings. The drive up to the centre makes you feel as though you are in a fantasy book! There is a car park with plenty of space, and a shop that is also the reception to buy tickets (even this building was beautifully constructed!). Admission was £15, which I thought was a good price. It gets you access to the whole centre and allows you to watch a flight display too. The centre itself is great, very well laid out and easy to navigate, with a charming little café in the middle. It houses some brilliant birds, some notable ones for me are the Steller’s Sea Eagle, and the Andean Condor - the largest flying bird in the world!

The centre contains all the facilities you would need, a shop and cafe as mentioned, toilets, plenty of information boards for each bird species, and a stamp trail for younger visitors. I would highly highly reccomend this to anyone - interested in wildlife or not - to check out.

After walking round the whole centre to see every bird, I sat on one of the benches to watch the flying show, which was crazy! Without spoiling too much, you’ll want to sit there and watch their amazing birds fly all day! I loved the show the most and it is also a great opportunity for photographers like me :).

A majestic barn owl captured mid flight!