Activity Days and Courses

Situated in the rolling hills of the picturesque Derbyshire Peak District, we run a wide range of courses and events, covering all aspect of falconry, hawks, hawking and owls.

All courses and events are taken by James McKay, director of Honeybank, and are designed to give all participants a fun learning experience.  Since James is a fully accredited examiner you will have the opportunity to work towards the  nationally recognised LANTRA award for falconry.

In order to ensure a quality experience we limit all courses to small numbers.

We are always happy to quote for individual needs and can build a course to cater for groups of friends or work colleagues (special group rates apply). Please contact us for further information.

Gift Vouchers available for all courses (valid 6 months).  These make ideal presents.  Contact us to book your course or order your voucher.

OWL ENCOUNTER - FULL or HALF-DAY COURSE

Find out about all types of owls from around the world, and get closer to them than you ever thought possible. Plenty of "hands-on", and even the opportunity to have owls fly to you and land on your fist. All participants receive a certificate plus a photograph of the moment when a real, live owl lands on their fist. Perfect gift for Harry Potter fans!
£60/£40* per person per half-day, £99/£60* per person per full day (*Under 16s)

OWL COURSE - ONE or TWO DAY

Specifically designed for those people wishing to learn how to care for and fly owls, this course covers all aspects of the many species of owl kept in the UK today, from the diminutive barn owl (Tyto alba) to the gigantic Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo). All participants get a course handbook plus a certificate.
£125/£75* per person per day. (*Under 16s)

HAWK ENCOUNTER - FULL-DAY OR HALF-DAY COURSE

If you simply want to find out a little more about this ancient country sport, and experience the thrill of a hawk or owl flying directly to you and landing on your fist, this is the course for you. All participants are presented with a certificate plus a photograph of the moment when a real, live hawk or owl lands on their fist. Perfect as a gift for a friend or loved one.
£60/£40* per person per half-day, £99/£60* per person per full day  (*Under 16s)

FALCONRY TASTER COURSE - ONE DAY

This course is designed for those who are considering the acquisition of a bird of prey, but want to find out a little more about the subject before making the commitment to the sport. The principles taught are applicable to all raptors (birds of prey and owls). All participants receive a handbook and a certificate.
£125/£75* per person per day. (*Under 16s)

FIVE & TEN DAY COURSES

Designed for those who are really serious about owning and flying a raptor, this course covers everything you will need to know, and is very much a "hands-on" course, with lots of practical sessions. All participants are given a comprehensive course handbook and successful completion of the course leads to the nationally recognised LANTRA award for falconry.

£125 per person, per day plus £100 LANTRA administration fee and all assessments.

(Please note - minimum age for ALL events is 8 years, and children under 16 must be accompanied by a fee-paying adult)

RABBIT HAWKING DAYS

Hawks, ferrets and our team of English Springer spaniels all come together on this course to show what real team work is all about. The dogs find the occupied warrens and then the ferrets flush the rabbits for the hawks to catch.
£125/£75* per person per day. (*Under 16s)

HAWK WALK

This is a two hour basic introduction to hawks, and is perfect for those who are fascinated by these birds, and want to experience hawks at first hand. Enjoy for yourself the thrill and excitement of flying a hawk in the glorious Derbyshire countryside. Before the walk begins, you will be given basic instructions on how to handle and fly a hawk.  You will enjoy the wonderful experience of walking with birds of prey flying free around and above you.  The memories of the day will be with you for the rest of your life.

£50 per person. Children under 14 accompanied by a paying adult go free (one child per adult)

OWL WALK

Identical to the hawk walk, but this time flying owls. While the owls may vary from session to session (eg barn owls, Eurasian eagle owls, Indian eagle owls, Lapland owls or even a Verreaux's giant milky eagle owl), you will still get closer to these nocturnal hunters than you ever thought possible. Ideal for Harry Potter fans!

£50 per person. Children under 14 accompanied by a paying adult go free (one child per adult)

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS

For your special day, why not visit us at the National Hawking School , or even have us visit you. We can supply entertainment and a never-to-be-forgotten experience to mark your special day. For children, we offer our famous and unique OWLS PARTIES.

Each party is different, and so is our service. As well as the birds, you can choose to have us supply food and drink, other entertainment and even gifts for your guests, and all in a very intimate, friendly and exclusive atmosphere.

Please contact us for details and costs of this unique party solution.

CORPORATE HOSPITALITY/ENTERTAINMENT

A day spent flying our spectacular birds, and learning about the colourful history of falconry and birds of prey is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. This is why so many companies use us for a corporate day with a difference.

Set in the beautiful hills of the Derbyshire Peak District, Honeybank is home to all our animals - birds, dogs, ferrets - all of which will be there to ensure that your clients have a day to remember all of their lives.

OWLS, HAWKS, BUZZARDS AND FALCONS FOR SALE

Because we breed many birds, and act as agents for other breeders, we can supply birds for clients and the public. Some of our courses are designed to allow participants to purchase a bird as part of their course, allowing them to learn while actually using their own bird. This helps newcomers to the sport through some of the most difficult times, and ensures that there will be an expert on hand to show you what to do, rather than having to learn by your mistakes. Please ask for details.

EQUIPMENT, BOOKS AND VIDEOS

We stock and sell a wide range of equipment, books (both new and second-hand) and videos on all aspects of owls, hawks, hawking, ferrets, ferreting, falconry and dogs/dog training. All are of top quality, and all at sensible prices.

PLEASE NOTE

*Fee reduction is for children accompanied by a full fee paying adult; one child per adult only. Minimum age for ALL events is 8 years, and children under 16 must be accompanied by a fee-paying adult.

We are happy to exchange vouchers for different "courses" of the same value, or to allow "upgrading" from ½ day to full day on payment of the difference in price

Due to the nature of our service, non-fee paying guests are not allowed.

Full day courses normally start at 1000, and finish at 1600; morning ½ day courses start at 1000 and finish at 1300, and afternoon ½ day course start at 1300 and finish at 1600.

All prices quoted are correct at the time of publication, but we reserve the right to alter terms, conditions and prices without notice.