Happisburgh Owls
Happisburgh Owls
5
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:00 AM
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 4:00 AM
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
WE ONLY OFFER PRIVATE PRE-BOOKED VIEWINGS PLEASE IGNORE OUR OPENING TIMES SHOWN BELOW ( we cannot edit the shown times ) Please call or email to arrange your booking . A chance get up close and personal with probably some of the tamest beautiful owls that you are likely to have the privelidge to meet. Well supervised these owls can be handled by all age groups. Enjoy a close up way of understanding a little more of the everyday lives of these beautiful birds and the conservation needs to help them continue their plight for survival. Situated in beautiful north norfolk we are available for all your outside and home venues.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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  • Laura
    London, United Kingdom19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unique and uplifting!
    I had an absolutely amazing time with Sandra, Darwin and the owls! Sandra and Darwin immediately put you at your ease when you arrive, and the owls are quite simply magical. It is genuinely a really therapeutic experience which you will not find anywhere else. We had stacks of time with each owl (the ones who decided to come out - if they don't want to they don't have to) and Sandra took lovely photos. Sandra is the kind of person who you immediately warm to, and makes you feel very safe and cared for. Her bond, and Darwin's bond, with the owls, was really special to behold. And it is very humbling and endearing to be in the owls' gentle company. It is magical to be up close and trusted by these majestic creatures. My favourite owls were Bracken, Laser and Mumbles, but all were an absolute joy. They take part in a lot of animal assisted therapy, and you can really tell, because when they are around humans they simply exude calmness and serenity. They were very endearing: gently preening my hair and glasses and nose! It is clear that Sandra and Darwin take exemplary care of the owls; they were in fantastic condition and the aviaries and grounds are top quality as well as their food. Many many thanks, I will always treasure these memories!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 October 2023
  • Trevor B
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing owl experience.
    We have been going to see Sandra and Darwin's owls for many years. They make you feel welcome and at home. The Owl's are amazing and well looked after. Would recommend anyone to visit and enjoy the experience.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 October 2023
  • Jaydie J
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Falling for owls
    I booked this for me and my husband as I’ve always had a soft spot for owls. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but chatting with Darwin on the phone it was clear that we were in for a fun, informative, and hands-on experience. It didn’t disappoint - Sandra and Darwin love and respect their charges and the owls are so relaxed in their environment that even the most nervous of guests will find themselves falling in love. Allow a good three hours (or more) for the experience as nothing is rushed and expect to leave with a newfound respect and love for these amazing birds.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 October 2023
  • Climber53010442021
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best animal / bird experience we have ever been to. Our 2nd visit & will definitely go back.
    The best animal / bird experience we have ever been to. This was the 2nd time we visited & found it absolutely great value for money. Sandy & Darwin were very informative & such a pleasure to talk to in a really relaxed atmosphere. You get up closer to the owls than any other experience we have been to. Lovely food & drink included. Will definitely go back & highly recommend to anyone.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 October 2023
  • Sue I
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Being immersed in the world of so many owls was simply amazing!
    What an amazing experience! Spending almost 4 hours in the company of Sandra and Darwin, learning about and handling the most beautiful owls was wonderful. Our son is autistic and I couldn't believe how confident he was around the owls and Sandra was so patient explaining everything to him. This was the highlight of our holiday and we plan to visit again next year as it truly is a special place. Thank you so much Sandra and Darwin for such an interesting, interactive and very special time with you and your beautiful owls.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 26 November 2023
  • Debs W
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely magical
    I took my partner here for his birthday and from the moment we arrived we were given the warmest welcome and made to feel completely comfortable. Coffee and cakes were certainly not expected but were a lovely touch. Sandra and Darwin were so knowledgeable and gave a really interesting introduction and loads of fascinating facts throughout the experience. They were happy to answer all our questions and really explained things clearly. The passion and love they have for the owls (well all furries and feathered creatures for that matter!) is clear from the moment you arrive. The owls are their absolute priority, they are never forced to interact if they aren’t wanting to, and their beautiful condition and environment is the result of all the love and dedication Sandra and Darwin provide. It was clear how much the owls adore them and trust them completely. It was an honour and a privilege to be able to see these amazing birds so close up and learn so much about them. We will definitely be back. Thank you so much Sandra and Darwin.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 December 2023
  • Steven N
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabulous and amazing experience
    If you want a fabulous, informative and unique experience then go and visit Sandra & Darwin at Happisburgh Owls. Both Sandra and Darwin were extremely welcoming and accommodating for my mothers 80th birthday treat. We got to experience and connect with different types of owls and learnt so much about them. Their markings, ears and how one owl can transform! Amazing! I would not hesitate to recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in birds of prey! Thank you!
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 December 2023
  • Cathryn Osborn-Vergerson
    Norwich, United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spectacular birthday surprise
    Wow - there are no words how amazing Sandra, Darwin, Alec and all the owls are. This was booked as a 60th birthday surprise for my Mum who loves owls, she had no idea where we were going. We were all speechless upon walking in and it’s been the talking point all day. All the owls are so unique and full of character and we could have easily stayed all day. We won’t hesitate to recommend this to friends and family but it’s one of those experiences you won’t truly know how special it is until you’ve done it for yourself, people won’t believe you that it feels truly magical. The extra touches such as refreshments and the yummy cake was so lovely. We came away feeling like Sandra and Darwin and the owls are our friends - it isn’t their “job” - it’s their calling I feel like I look at our feathered friends in a different light now and much more appreciative of them due to the sheer amount of amazing information we’ve learnt from Darwin and Sandra, as well as the owls themselves. It’s so lovely to see how well cared for they are and the love that Darwin and Sandra also have for one another is what makes this experience work so amazingly. It is something you could do over and over again and never be bored. I could write forever about it all. You will just have to visit for yourself to see the magic happen 😊 Thankyou both for such a wonderful day, we will most definitely be back for some owly cuddles. Cathryn, Tom, Jill & Gary
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 December 2023
  • Jill V
    Dereham, United Kingdom1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    100% fantastic. Stunning owls which are cared for in an exemplary way, by warm, caring and informative people.
    I had the most fabulous visit to Happisburgh Owls on 28/12/23, my 60th birthday. My daughter had bought this wonderful gift for me and she could not have chosen a more memorable and perfect present. I was so glad that my family were there to share in this tremendous experience. It is difficult to put into words what made this so unique and very emotional, but I am sure that it is all down to a combination of the love, nurture, respect and knowledge Sandra and Darwin demonstrated towards the owls in their care, (plus all the various creatures they had helped along the way), and then clearly explained to us on our visit. We could have stayed all day, learning more and enjoying the different personalities of each owl were introduced to and being hands on, what an honour. Sandra and Darwin were informative, funny and warm, making for a really relaxed atmosphere and we never felt any of the owls were stressed or uncomfortable, or that we were making them behave in an unnatural way. I was also very touched by the birthday cake and refreshments we were offered and how welcome and comfortable we were made to feel. I would not hesitate to recommend this truly unique experience (and I have been already telling as many people as I can!). If you are looking for something a little special as a gift or treat please consider booking a visit. You will come away feeling on a high and wanting to talk about every aspect and telling anyone who will listen all about it! We will definitely go again!
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 December 2023
  • Oz1JV
    Yaxham, United Kingdom8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Second visit in 7 weeks!
    This was our second visit to Happisburgh Owls, the first being December 2023. This time the birthday surprise was for my mother in law. Again, we had an absolutely fantastic time, and absorbed even more knowledge & understanding of the owls. Laser was extremely generous to my mother in law, obviously sensing it was a birthday celebration. He offered her his dead mouse whilst she was holding him. A true gentleman! We will have to find another excuse to visit again soon, as we loved every part of our time with the owls and Sandra and Darwin were their usual warm, friendly and informative selves. Highly recommend a visit.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 February 2024
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liane
Benfleet, UK89 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Family
We spent the most memorable 3 hours with owner Sandra and assistant Darwin. We learned so many fascinating facts that as Owl lovers ourselves we didn’t already know.

The booking was made well in advance and had the benefit of being a private visit so you don’t have to share the owls!!

A presentation of how Happisburgh Owls started and the story to the current day was lightly told with plenty of laughter, owl interaction and tea/ cakes!
Plenty of owl handling and photo opportunities. A must if you are visiting Norfolk!!
Written 10 June 2021
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.

Juliette WS
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We booked Happisburgh Owls to attend a 4th birthday party for our twins and they did not disappoint. Sandra and her assistant were very friendly and helpful, all children got to handle the owls with explanations of each owl. I really cannot recommend them highly enough, we will definitely book again for our children's parties as they went down so well with both the children and their parents and definitely made the party a huge success.
Written 6 January 2020
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.

Beccy B
Egham, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
My family, including a 9 and 15 year old booked to meet Sandra’s owls and what a good decision that was. Both Sandra and Darwin are hugely knowledgeable and this combined with a genuinely warm and very personal experience will mean this visit is treasured for years. The small numbers booked means you need to book ahead but it is very appropriate for all ages and levels of ability. Really impressed 😊

Beccy, Steve, Roman & Ellen x
Written 11 August 2021
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.

Sally O
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
If you want a totally unique and utterly enchanting owl experience then this is the place to go. Sandra and Darwin provide a very informative and knowledgeable presentation (as well as goodies to eat) before meeting Sandra's beautiful owls. They all have their own amazing characteristics and you can clearly see the amount of love and care that Sandra devotes to her babies! Getting up close and personal to these beautiful owls has been one of the best experiences of my life and I would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Written 9 July 2021
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.

Steven O
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
I arranged my visit in advance with Sandra who set everything out clearly and offered us a mutually convenient day. On the day we were met at the gate by Darwin, with a smile and a warm welcome. We then went into the house and met the eight owls, Darwin explained each one and shared a very informative presentation. We then got to the main highlight of being able to hold each Owl in turn and take photos. We had the opportunity to see each of the Owls aviaries. These were large and clean and Sandra and Darwin explained about the other Owls we had not been able to hold.
This is a bespoke experience as we were the only one there and we had all day to spend with Sandra, Darwin and the Owls. Sandra and Darwin's passion for the Owls was plainly clearly to see and we all thoroughly enjoyed our day and would recommend it to everyone that likes Owls.
This does need to be booked in advance as there is only one group per day and is not open to just turn up with prior booking.
Thank you Darwin & Sandra for such a fantastic day & Darwin for being a brilliant photographer as well.
Steve, Elizabeth and the children.
Written 11 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.

AlexMac65
Diss, UK22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
I chose Happisburgh Owls (pronounced Haze-burrough locally) as my wife is an avid bird-watcher. It's out in the countryside quite a way but is really worth a visit. We visited today in August 2020.
We arrived at about 11am and had Sandra all to ourselves. Sometimes she has two groups together but because of 'social distancing', Sandra has limited it to one party at a time at present. If you're here in Norfolk on holiday, book early. Calling the day before will get you nowhere. She's always booked up and it's worth the effort to book, believe me.
We spent the first hour just learning about how Happisburgh Owls started, how Sandra got into caring for these amazing creatures and why she does it. She is clearly passionate about the care and preservation of these wonderful birds, along with her amazing helper, the wonderful Darwin, a very nice lad from the village who is clearly as dotty about owls as Sandra (and is doing a degree about them to prove it!).
Then we started to be allowed to handle the birds. My personal favourite is the Little Owl, Munchkin, but we met about 10 owls in their presentation room, and were privileged to handle each one, and other bigger ones later.
The session lasted about 3 and a half hours and it felt like barely half an hour. We SHALL return soon. I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone, especially bird-lovers. Informative, interesting and fun.
We loved it and my 13 yr old son did too. A really worthwhile day out and worth every penny.
Written 7 August 2020
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.

Djb
Belper, UK112 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
The event starts at 11am and lasted to about 2.30pm. We were met by a very friendly guide called Darwin who could not have been more helpful. My mother has restricted mobility but managed to access both the building and the garden. The highlight is the opportunity to get up close with the owls; a beautiful barn owl called Hope; a wonderful character called Bracken; a pretty little Indian owl and some larger birds too. The birds are very calm and one or two enjoy a little tickle but generally stroking and touching is considered inappropriate as these are very delicate creatures. visitors should be prepared to look but not touch.
Written 14 September 2022
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.

WillC-11796
Norwich, England, United Kingdom2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
This is without a doubt one of the best experiences anyone can do. I purchased a voucher for my wife for her birthday and after the trials of covid we finally got booked in with Sandra and her amazing owls. Sandra, Darwin and her owls are an absolute asset to Norfolk and for any animal or nature lover that wishes for a personel experience should go. This experience personally has re-kindled my dreams when I was younger of the potential of further learning for care and husbandry of owls. They are all kept in beautiful areas where they have Sandra's loverly garden to look out on. This is a 5 Star Owl hotel ! and it is so clear they are all happy to be there. The team at happisburgh owls have a real passion for what they do and the opportunity we had to have this experiance is incredible, I lost count on the day how many times I was lot for words to describe how much we were enjoying the experiance. Thank you Sandra and Darwin for putting on such an incredible experiance. I am sure we will be back soon!
Written 26 August 2020
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.

Jennifer
Bedford, UK2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
We really loved this experience and feel it was one of the nicest days out we’ve had. It differs from other animal experiences as it’s so personal and tailored to the visitors. We really felt welcomed into Sandra’s home, and found Sandra and Darwin really warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about the owls they keep. There are so many different species of owl here and they are all in a beautiful condition and kept really well in their own lovely large environments. Sandra and Darwin show you how to hold, pet and feed the owls, and it’s a great opportunity for photos. We found this experience really special and will definitely be back again
Written 13 July 2021
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.

Jacqi C
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
What an absolutely incredible owl experience at Happisburgh Owls today. Darwin was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the owls, he was also able to pitch it absolutely right for both adult and child to be totally enthralled.

The place was spotless and owls so relaxed, obviously their welfare is first and foremost, and so it should be.

If you do nothing else, do this! Initially you might think it's expensive, I can assure its will worth it and the girls were chuffed with the feathers they've brought home.

Thank you so much, four happy humans 💕🦉
Written 2 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.

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HAPPISBURGH OWLS (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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