Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water – Brilliant days out!

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Last weekend we visited Birdland in Bourton-on-the-water for a great summer’s day out. We’d heard from friend’s that Birdland is a hit with toddlers and crucially, we’d even heard it had dinosaurs. We knew?that would be a huge win with out newly ‘roaring’ toddler and so, with my parents visiting, it was time for us to visit. Firstly, where’s Birdland,?you wonder? It’s in a a lovely Cotswold village near Stow, around half an hour from Cheltenham or 50 minutes from Oxford, and is definitely worth a visit (Birdland website).

I should clarify straight off, that we had a fantastic day and we loved it so much we bought membership (only ?19.99 for each adult for a year, so amazing value for money).

What’s Birdland?

The park covers 9 acres and is all really pushchair accessible. There is a playpark for kids up to age 10, more ducks than in a toddler’s dreams and dinosaurs thrown into the mix too. ?What more could you want?! Yes, there is ice-cream too, so that box is ticked as well!

What about birds? Well there are loads, some in enclosures, others more wild. You can play bird spotting in the hides around the Nature Reserve which is also where the dinosaur trail is located. From penguins and owls, to a parrot in the cafe and a hatchery, everything is covered.

The map below shows the many different areas within Birdland:

A few basics:

1. Entry cost:

It’s ?9.99 for an adult (but you can get 10% off if you book online beforehand a day before)

Children under 3 are free, and those over 3 are ?6.95. Seniors are ?8.95.

We upgraded to year membership on our way out as we had such a good day (adult ?19.99, child ?13.95, senior ?17.95) and you get the price of the day ticked back, so we?only need to visit once more to break even.

2. Parking:

There are a few car parks nearby – one through Bourton (taking the left bend and following the sign for Birdland, as well as the field we parked in (?3 a day) which was just before the bend and High Street, but still only a 5 or so minute walk away.

3. Visiting:

It’s open all year apart from Christmas, and we really could spend at least most of the day there. There were a few talks which we missed, and Penguin and Pelican feeding in the afternoon on the day we visited. We were starving at that point and had managed to get H into the buggy, so weren’t getting her out. The poor birds would have wondered what was going on if we had later tried to put her back in!

Our day:

We had a fantastic day, it’s all so well laid out and the park and setting is beautiful.

There is a great range of birds and they’re all in different situations, from wild open large enclosures to ducks on the stream, some huge cages, but paired with a parrot in the outdoor cafe, and a nature reserve complete with hides.

Of course you have the dinosaurs on e Jurrasic Trail to keep even the smallest child entertained. We do love a dinosaur park!

Here are a few photos of our day

A few bird photos:

And a few from one of our favourite bits… the Jurassic Trail dinosaurs:

Kids facilities?

Yes, from a playpark to Ikea highchairs they have little ones catered for. The dinosaurs appeal to a vast range of kids (and adults) and we really had a great day. I also have to mention the vast array of birds and their colours also appeared to appeal to kids and adults alike, they’re all so different – flamingos, pelicans, penguins, owls, cocktoos, parrots.

Recommended?

Yes, yes, yes! 100% recommended – lots to do, brilliant for kids, and membership is cheap!

If your kids also love dinosaurs, we also recommend and have reviewed Gullivers Dinosaur + Farm Park in Milton Keynes, and also love All Things Wild in Evesham, and the Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park. All were fantastic dinosaur related days out!

Lynne x

Disclaimer: we bought our own tickets and memberships, and had a fantastic day out, which is one I thoroughly recommend to everyone.

Linked to #TheList with YouBabyMeMummy and MrandMrsTplus3

Linked to?#WhateverTheWeather and #BestandWorst