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Randalstown
Things to do in Randalstown
World of Owls
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World of Owls

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See all things to do
World of Owls
4.5
#1 of 8 things to do in Randalstown
Nature & Wildlife Areas
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
World of Owls is one of the largest most diverse collections of owls in the UK and Ireland. 2020 Finalist of Best Small Visitor Attraction NI 2020 Finalist of Best Small Visitor Attraction NI 2020 Winner of TripAdvisor Best Small Attraction NI Winner of Best Staff Award by "World Host". Best Voluntary Contribution to Birds of Prey and Wildlife" by RSPCA. Birds of prey, reptiles, insects & other animals. Children's play park, gift shop and wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for full details. Registered charity, all staff work for no reward to look after the animals and educate the guests. It is a licensed and regulated zoo not government funded. It is rustic and rural and the vast majority of the animals are rescued. (Covid-19 Update) Pandemic closure meant funding that was destined to upgrade the centre had to go on food and bills. Upgrade will be restarted soon. We are a working Animal Education Sanctuary in a forest setting not a Disney type theme park.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
  • Lisa
    2 contributions
    False opening hours
    Drove to World of Owls this afternoon with two small children. Arrived at 3:50pm after reading on both the Facebook page and website that it was opened to 6pm. Was told on arrival that they had decided to close early. There was no notification of this anywhere. Wasted journey and two unhappy kids. Won’t be returning to risk this happening again
    AulMike
    We had to close 45 minutes earlier due to circumstances beyond our control. Our last admission is 5pm you arrived after 4pm. (Have it recorded on CCTV) Our member of staff present tried to explain to you but you were extremely rude to this young girl, not even letting her finish a sentence and leaving her very shaken and upset. She tried to offer you free tickets to return but you were too insistent on getting your own frustrations across. When you work with animals sometimes situations occur that are unexpected and measures have to be taken for the welfare of the animals as they are our main priority. As you stated you were on our social media and website, both of which have our phone numbers, you could have phoned ahead given that you were going to arrive late in the day and it CLEARLY STATES THAT LAST ADMISSION IS 5PM ! I apologise that this has happened and your family were disappointed, however I do think it is unfair that you give us a negative review damaging our reputation as an animal rescue charity considering you never even entered the premises and I find your behaviour and attitude to a young female volunteer charity worker extremely disturbing.
    Written 26 July 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 July 2023
  • sineadmc
    Ballymena, United Kingdom228 contributions
    Disappointed
    Was really looking forward to visiting here after reading some of the reviews. But I must say I was disappointed. Visited with my sister and my 2 children. The owls were gorgeous and it was great to get up close to their birds of prey. But £24 to walk around it twice in half an hour. Not many staff giving info on the birds. (Did speak to a lady, long dark hair about the birds of prey, she was very friendly). Reptiles were tucked away in the back of the shop. Although the birds do seem well cared for 🙂 Whole site was a bit run down. Could do with a lot of money injected into it.
    AulMike
    We are a self funded charity and sanctuary that got hit incredibly hard during the pandemic, so much so we had to sell family air looms to keep our animals fed during that time and then to be hit with The Irish Sea Border which has forced us to import our food from Holland now instead of England at a 400% increase. Yes we need help with funding. Since your visit we have replaced quite a few aviaries with new ones and we do everything we can to improve our facilities as and when we can. We are getting there again but it takes time and money.
    Written 4 November 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 August 2023
  • SRodgers
    Derry, United Kingdom24 contributions
    30 mins tour of a dilapidated disappointing dirty ‘attraction’
    This is a charity with probably not much money, but it is very dirty. Cobwebs and spiders in the so called ‘reptile’ area. Floors dirty. No sign of the donkey mentioned at the entrance, no access to the deer viewing area. No exotic animals, in fact the only animals we saw were two Guinea pigs. Website mentions rabbits alpacas sheep pigs - none there. The reptile area is a small corridor with a bearded dragon, two snakes, a tarantula, a toad and little else. It was great to see the owls up close but their cages seem small. Play area is two swings and a slide. No snack bar. We had seen everything in 30 mins but stretched it out to 45 mins. Did not begrudge the entrance fee if it helps the birds but would not recommend
    AulMike
    Here we go again, another visitor expecting Disneyland and not an animal rescue charity and working sanctuary. Our hygiene is well maintained our animals are kept with strict welfare standards and we are inspected 6 times per year to maintain this. This is an incredibly unfair and highly exaggerated review and i don't know what website you were reading but it wasn't ours. We have never owned pigs, we had Alpacas and a Donkey about 15 years ago. Thank you for contributing to the animals welfare but did you have to paint such a horrible picture. We are not going to please everyone.
    Written 4 November 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
407 reviews
Excellent
336
Very good
46
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
11
Meg M
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Girl guide Trip
Oct 2023 • Business
Would absolutely recommend. Had Mike out for a Girl Guide trip today and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The kids loved seeing the owls and snake. Was very informative and the kids loved petting and seeing the animals
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Your guides were lovely and so interested and engaged in their visit, thank you for your lovely review.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon M
1 contribution
A must visit if you love birds of prey.
Oct 2023 • Friends
I absolutely adore owls and all birds of prey. Great to see so many in one place. Staff were brilliant. Big thanks to Mike, who stopped for a chat and let us get a picture with one of the Golden Eagles. Staff all work there on a voluntary basis and it is a unique place to visit in Northern Ireland. We took so many pictures when we were there and it's in a beautiful setting. Randalstown Forest is right beside it, with walks through the forest and up to Lough Neagh.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you for your lovely review
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MICHAEL G
Bushmills, UK4 contributions
Could’ve been more
Sep 2023
I was disappointed because there wasn’t a lot of attractions but i did have a pleasant enough day. ✌🏻
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
I am not actually sure how to respond to this being an animal rescue charity!!! and the only collection of owls and birds of prey open to the public in the country, however i am glad you had a pleasant enough day.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SRodgers
Derry, UK24 contributions
30 mins tour of a dilapidated disappointing dirty ‘attraction’
Sep 2023 • Family
This is a charity with probably not much money, but it is very dirty. Cobwebs and spiders in the so called ‘reptile’ area. Floors dirty. No sign of the donkey mentioned at the entrance, no access to the deer viewing area. No exotic animals, in fact the only animals we saw were two Guinea pigs. Website mentions rabbits alpacas sheep pigs - none there. The reptile area is a small corridor with a bearded dragon, two snakes, a tarantula, a toad and little else. It was great to see the owls up close but their cages seem small. Play area is two swings and a slide. No snack bar. We had seen everything in 30 mins but stretched it out to 45 mins. Did not begrudge the entrance fee if it helps the birds but would not recommend
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Here we go again, another visitor expecting Disneyland and not an animal rescue charity and working sanctuary. Our hygiene is well maintained our animals are kept with strict welfare standards and we are inspected 6 times per year to maintain this. This is an incredibly unfair and highly exaggerated review and i don't know what website you were reading but it wasn't ours. We have never owned pigs, we had Alpacas and a Donkey about 15 years ago. Thank you for contributing to the animals welfare but did you have to paint such a horrible picture. We are not going to please everyone.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
L Lindsay
2 contributions
Best day!!
Sep 2023 • Family
The best day was had by us all. Especially our bird mad little boy! Staff went above and beyond for him, even letting him meet Nero the owl up close and personal which he hasn't stopped talking about!! Amazing staff, all so lovely, kind and helpful, didn't get their names but the two girls in the visitor centre/shop were so amazing and lovely. The girl who let him meet Nero even though she probably didn't have time was patient and answered all his questions and gave him some interesting facts about owls also! Absolutely fantastic day, we will definitely be back soon!! Thankyou world of owls for helping us make amazing new memories!!
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are very proud of our volunteers who give all this time to the animals and our visitors. They are indeed a great wee team. Thanks again.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sineadmc
Ballymena, UK228 contributions
Disappointed
Aug 2023 • Family
Was really looking forward to visiting here after reading some of the reviews. But I must say I was disappointed. Visited with my sister and my 2 children. The owls were gorgeous and it was great to get up close to their birds of prey. But £24 to walk around it twice in half an hour. Not many staff giving info on the birds. (Did speak to a lady, long dark hair about the birds of prey, she was very friendly). Reptiles were tucked away in the back of the shop. Although the birds do seem well cared for 🙂 Whole site was a bit run down. Could do with a lot of money injected into it.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
We are a self funded charity and sanctuary that got hit incredibly hard during the pandemic, so much so we had to sell family air looms to keep our animals fed during that time and then to be hit with The Irish Sea Border which has forced us to import our food from Holland now instead of England at a 400% increase. Yes we need help with funding. Since your visit we have replaced quite a few aviaries with new ones and we do everything we can to improve our facilities as and when we can. We are getting there again but it takes time and money.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Garethm28
7 contributions
Little hidden Gem 🦅
Jul 2023 • Family
A little hidden gem.We visted as a family of four and are kids loved it.So many birds of prey to get up close to and see the great work these guys are doing.They also have a bugs house at the end with loads of tiny insects.Very friendly staff all round and very knowledgeable.A big shout out to Mike the owner who went above and beyond to make sure are oldest son who has autism had the best time and met Harley the owl .Definitely showed how a business should be run.Will definitely be returning 🦅🦉
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you, we wish everyone that came to visit us would have such a positive attitude, you were wonderful to meet, thank you.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vino135
7 contributions
Great visit
Jul 2023 • Family
Fantastic tour around World of Owls today by the extremely knowledgeable Mike.
Went here for my sons birthday with his friends, all of the birds are exceptionally well cared for and the facts and information given to us by Mike was interesting & captivated the interest of the children, not always an easy thing to do!
Well worth a visit!
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you so much for such a wonderful review.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
aisling o
1 contribution
Brilliant time so friendly
Jul 2023 • Family
A brilliant experience seeing the owls and other birds. Very natural looking for the animals nothing too fancy. The staff was amazing with my little girl, had so much time for her and let us interact with one of the owls.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you so much for your lovely review
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandy S
17 contributions
Fascinating well cared for birds, the site needs some cash.
Jul 2023 • Family
Great collection of owls and raptors. We visited the morning after they had been broken into by a bunch of yobs who thought it a good place to party so they were understandably at sixes and sevens. Despite this, Mike found time to tell us about the birds and regale us with stories about the collection. We were amused to discover we were seeing so many of the birds used in the Harry Potter films - a fact they could make more of in their advertising. The place is volunteer run and the volunteers obviously love the birds and animals they have on site. The birds feel well cared for and they’ve had some success with breeding. The site clearly suffered from the deprivations of Covid and would benefit from an injection of cash to allow them to upgrade the aviaries but there was no question to us that the birds came first for them. I hope lots of people visit, learn more about these fascinating birds, and support the project. Highly recommended.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AulMike
Thank you so much for your well thought out review. Although we have worked on many different television and movies with our animals over the years we are bound by "copywriter confidentiality agreements" so we can not, unfortunately, use names openly. We are indeed still recovering from the pandemic closures and also, if not worse the Irish Sea border restrictions that has seen our food bill rocketing a massive 400% We are now at present reconstructing and building many new enclosures.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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WORLD OF OWLS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about World of Owls
World of Owls is open:
  • Tue - Sun 11:00 - 17:00