North Wales has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, something that Hollywood has taken full advantage of over the years. North Wales has been the filming location for big hitting blockbusters and cult classics alike, with the majestic mountain ranges and beautiful sandy beaches acting as a backdrop to some spectacular storylines.

Here at Darwin Escapes headquarters we love a good movie (and even some bad ones), and with 4 luxury destinations across the North Wales coast, we thought we would look at how many movies were filmed here. We’ve listed all our favourite movies that have used this historic region as a location for their movie, and we may have slipped in the names of our stunning North Wales locations too, so keep an eye out for them!

wonder woman 1984

Year: 2020 / Shooting location: Snowdonia

The brand new Wonder Woman sequel, starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, has had certain shots filmed in Snowdonia. The crew filmed in the area during June 2019 and were using the famous Swallow Falls waterfalls for a fight scene, with one of the stuntmen apparently jumping across the fall!

the legend of tarzan

Year: 2014 / Shooting location: Snowdonia

The movie stars Alexander Skassgard, Margot Robbie and Samuel L Jackson and tells the story of the King of the Jungle. Filming took place for a week at the old Dinorwig Slate Quarry in Snowdonia, if you wanted to look where the filming took place follow the public footpaths, but you will probably need a lot more clothes than Tarzan did.

king arthur: legend of the sword

Year: 2017 / Shooting location: Various locations in North Wales

Another big budget movie came to North Wales in 2017, director Guy Ritchie chose the region for his interpretation of the King Arthur legend, which starred Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law and Eric Bana. They shot the movie in various locations, including Vivian Quarry near Llanberis, Nant Gwynant near Beddlegert and Capel Curig in Conwy (which is not too far from our owners only destination, Aberconwy Resort & Spa…)

clash of the titans

Year: 2010 / Shooting location: Snowdonia & Angelsey

The Dinorwig slate quarry in Snowdonia is a fairly popular shooting location in North Wales, as it can be transformed to look like almost anywhere, including ancient Greece. The mythological tale of Perseus was retold, with Liam Neeson playing Zeus and Sam Worthington portraying his son, Perseus. Shooting took place in both the slate quarry and Newborough Forest on Anglesey, which doubled at the movie’s volcano scene.

highlander

Year: 1986 / Shooting location: Conwy

Highlander is over 30 years old and still enjoys a very strong cult following, with fans loving the fantasy story line and the action packed flick. The movie stars Sean Connery, Chris Lambert, Clancy Brown and Roxanne Hart. The final climactic scene was filmed in Sychnant Pass in the beautiful county of Conwy, the pass actually winds through the Snowdonia Mountain Range (also not a million miles from our New Pines Holiday Home Park destination…we offer holidays and ownership here!)

lara croft tomb raider: cradle of life

Year: 2003 / Shooting locations: Beddgelert & Snowdonia

The huge blockbuster movie, starring Angelina Jolie, turned Llyn Gwynant, near Beddgelert into a Chinese village for this film. Having been turned down to film the movie in China, the production looked to North Wales to help them. They used Llyn Gwynant and the Dinorwig Slate Quarry in Snowdonia to create Lara Crofts world of action and adventure.

the secret garden

Year: 2020 / Shooting location: Colwyn Bay

The up-coming movie tells the classic story of an orphaned girl living with her uncle and cousin, then uncovering a secret garden and the tales that go with it. The new movie stars Julie Walters and Colin Firth. The production crew used Colwyn Bay’s world famous Bodnant Gardens for a few scenes in the film, you can visit these stunning gardens when you holiday with us at Talacre Beach Resort!

the wold is not enough

Year: 1999 / Shooting location: Snowdonia

This was the 19th instalment in the James Bond series and starred Pierce Brosnan as 007 himself. Brosnan faced off against villain Renard, played by Robert Carlyle and of course was globetrotting during the shoot. The Snowdonia National Park was transformed into Kazakhstan for the movie.

willow

Year: 1988 / Shooting location: Snowdonia

Although Willow was a considered a critical flop, the movie has gone on to gain a huge cult following and effectively launched the career of Warwick Davis. The movie was written by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, two of the 80’s big hitters in Hollywood. Nockmar Castle plays a large role in Willow and the shooting location for the castle was actually in the Snowdonia National Park. Warwick Davis made our list of one of the celebrities who own a holiday home, take a look at the other 9 in our post here.

the crown

Year: 2016 – present / Shooting location: Caernarfon

This one isn’t a movie, but each episode so spectacular it may as well be. Netflix’s The Crown showcases the Royal family like never before, the new series stars Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham-Carter. Season 3 is set to air during the Autumn on Netflix and will show the 1960’s era of the Royals, including Charles’ investiture at the Prince of Wales, which was filmed in the stunning Caernarfon Castle. The Castle is a sight to see and you can explore it yourself when you holiday or own with us at Seaview Holiday Home Park!

There are lots more movies shot in North Wales, but these were our top picks, was your favourite in our list? There are a large number of TV shows that film in Wales, showcasing what a beautiful county it is and how striking the landscape really is.

Why not learn more about our luxurious North Wales destinations? Places where you can holiday or own your own holiday home with us here at Darwin Escapes and start exploring all the shooting locations you’ve read about in this post.

Our family friendly locations, Talacre Beach Resort and New Pines Holiday Home Park, offer fantastic facilities including indoor swimming pools, children’s entertainment programmes, fun activity schedules and evening family entertainment. Seaview Holiday Home Park boasts unrivalled views of the North Wales coastline, ideally placed to explore the local area too, you can relax on your private decking while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere. Or, opt for sheer luxury at Aberconwy Resort & Spa, just a stone’s throw from the Conwy Morfa beach and showcasing 5 star facilities, including the Aberconwy Spa, Signatures Restaurant and a beautiful indoor swimming pool.

Darwin Escapes has so much to offer in North Wales, you are sure to find what you’re searching for with us. Book your North Wales holiday here.

Call our dedicated ownership team for information about owning your own holiday home on 01745 858010, or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Flambards Theme Park offers a fantastic day out in Helston, Cornwall. From thrilling rides to award-winning indoor attractions, there is something for everyone!

Located only a 20 minute drive away from Flambards is our own luxury destination, Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat. Mullion Cove is the ideal place to base yourself to explore the stunning area of South Cornwall, and relax in our beautiful lodge accommodation on your holiday.

The all-weather fun at Flambards Theme Park is great for all ages to enjoy and includes exciting rollercoaster rides, run family rides and spectacular indoor attractions. There is also a fabulous undercover area which offers soft play for the little ones to enjoy.

exhilarating thrill rides

These rides are perfect for the daredevils out there and will have all ages laughing with delight! We have listed a few of the top favourite rides below:

• Sky Force – you’re sure to feel G-force at 25 meters above the ground, while spinning 360 degrees on this thrill ride
• Sky Swinger – a famous ride at Flambards that will make you feel like you’re flying, while whizzing you around on suspended chairs
• The Thunderbolt – test how strong your stomach is with this exciting ride, which will twist you around and upside down
• Log Flume – enjoy a classic thrill ride as you build anticipation going up the ramp before plummeting into the water below!

family fun rides

The whole family can enjoy these fabulous rides, but they are ideal for younger children to get stuck into all the fun available at Flambards!

• Dino Express – take a fantastic Jurassic trek and spot all the life sized dinosaurs hiding, including a Brachiosaurus, a giant Triceratops and an awesome T-Rex
• Traditional Carousel – a wonderful traditional ride offering a slower pace at Flambards Theme Park, each of their horses are individually named too
• Balloon Race – jump into a balloon basket for a fun and spinning ride, take in the views around you but try not to get too dizzy!
• Space Shuttle – the perfect ride for children, they will be able to take control of the shuttle and fly off into space!

There is also a fun outdoor play area to explore, which includes tunnels and zip wires, as well as slides and balancing beams. And if the weather isn’t on your side, head to the indoor playground that has two separate areas for younger children to enjoy.

discover history with flambards’ indoor attractions

Flambards offers you a chance to travel through time with their award winning indoor attractions. From the Victorian era to World War II, these fascinating exhibits give you a glimpse into the past.

Victorian Village
Stroll through the life-size village to see what life may have been like in Victorian Britain. There are more than 50 realistic shops to discover, including a toy shop, tobacconists and barbershop. Visit a Victorian home and see thousands of authentic artefacts.

Britain in the Blitz
The exhibition has been called “an authentic reconstruction of life on the home front”. Wander the streets of London during World War II and catch glimpses of what life was like through the windows. The exhibition is also home to some touching letters from children who were evacuated.

The Chemist Shop Time Capsule

When chemist William White died in 1909, time stood still in his shop as it was boarded up and forgotten about. The shop wasn’t found again for over 100 years, originally located in South Petherton, Somerset, the Flambards team recorded every artefact and its placement, even the cobwebs! The team then moved and reassembled everything to the exhibition, where you’ll see apothecary jars, medicine bottles, pill dispensers and quartz carboy. Every aspect was moved and placed in the exact positions found, except the dangerous compounds and poisons that the Home Office confiscated.

Flambards has a number of other attractions to visit too, including a visual tribute to all who served in both World Wars, as well as extensive collections of motorcycles and vintage wedding dresses.

opening times and prices

Flambards Theme Park is only a 20 minute drive away from our Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat location.

Opening times are seasonal, so be sure to check the website before you go. Current opening times, 10am – 5pm.

2019 Prices
Rides & indoor attractions: adult £21.95 / child £15.95
Indoor attractions only: adult £11.50 / child £6.95

Book your holiday with us at Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat and explore South Cornwall. Flambards Theme Park offers all-weather fun for all ages to enjoy!

The Lake District Wildlife Park offers a wonderful day out for all ages, with over 100 animal species to meet and learn about. Located only a 10 minute drive from our own Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, the Lake District is spread over 100 species of animals and learn about them from their dedicated keepers.

Conservation is at the centre of everything the Lake District Wildlife Park does, they support various charities and are members of BIAZA, while taking part in a number of endangered species breeding initiatives. The friendly Ring Tailed Lemur at the Wildlife Park are one of the most successful breeding pairs to be in captivity.

the animals at Lake District Wildlife Park

With over 100 species to meet on your visit to the Wildlife Park, you are sure to find your favourite animal friends. We’ve put together a small list of the animals you can see at the Lake District Wildlife Park.

• Lar Gibbons – these are the smallest members of the ape family
• Mandrills – beautiful colourful faces, they are the world’s largest monkeys
• Asian Short Clawed Otter – a crowd favourite, they are very sociable animals
• Brown Capuchin – made famous by the ‘Night at the Museum’ movie franchise, these monkeys are very intelligent and are known to use tools to open hard nuts
• Brazilian Tapir – they are excellent swimmers, with a brilliant sense of smell and good hearing, but they do have very poor eyesight
• sian Lynx – although they became extinct in the UK nearly 10,000 years ago, they actually would have lived in the Cumbrian forests
• Red Panda – always a crowd pleaser, they actually have fur on the soles of their paws to keep the warm in the cold climates
• Scottish Wild Cat – these are critically endangered in Scotland, with only 200 left in the wild
• Alpaca – a friendly heard of 4 live at the Wildlife Park, Alpaca’s were domesticated around 7000 years ago

The Lake District Wildlife Park is also home to a wonderful range of birds and reptiles, including:

• American Bald Eagles
• Turkey Vultures
• Harris Hawk
• Emus – which are the second largest birds and can run up to 30 miles an hour
• Burmese Python – one of the largest species of snakes in the world
• Standings Day Geko – the largest species of geo and they found in Madagascar
• African Spurred Tortoise

The Lake District Wildlife Park has much for all ages to discover, from all the wonderful animals you can meet, to the exciting daily activity programme available. The programme changes every day and includes activities such as, bird of prey flying displays, opportunities to cuddle a Guinea Pig, watching various animals’ feeding sessions and fantastic keeper-led talks to learn more about the fascinating creatures around you.

opening times & prices

The 2019 opening times for the Lake District Wildlife Park are:
March – October: 10am – 5pm / November – February: 10am – 4pm

Prices for 2019 are:
Adult £9.95 / Child £7.95

Spend the day enjoying all that the Lake District Wildlife Park has to offer, including the outdoor play area and indoor play space, which also includes a soft play zone and ball pool zone.

The fantastic gift shop has a wide range of toys to take home as souvenirs, it’s also the first point of call for animal adoptions to help the charities and conservation efforts of the Lake District Wildlife Park. You can also book a range of fabulous Keeper Experiences at the gift shop, on these experiences you can join the friendly and dedicated keepers for the day and meet some animals up close and personal.

So the next time you’re staying with us at Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, take a 10 minute drive to the wonderful Lake District Wildlife Park.

About Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

Keswick Reach offers a wonderful place to holiday in Cumbria, with breath-taking surroundings, fantastic facilities and stunning lodge accommodation.

Our 5 star facilities include The Copper Fells Bar & Brasserie, which serves delicious meals and stocks locally distilled spirits to delight your taste buds. You can enjoy a mouth-watering meal from our talented team, while taking in the surrounding views of the Lake District.

Our fully equipped gym also boasts beautiful views, so you can enjoy the sights while running on our range of treadmills. We also have a variety of cardio machines, weight machines and a free weights area too, our gym really does have everything you could need for a workout.

For the ultimate in relaxation, head to our Ammara Spa, where our friendly and fully trained therapists will offer a wide range of Aromatherapy Associates treatments.

Our beautiful lodge accommodation offers wide open living spaces, with sumptuous sofas and French doors opening on to private decking’s. We also boast spacious bedrooms and bathrooms in our accommodation, and the most comfortable of all mattresses for the best night’s sleep. A number of our lodges also include log burners for those cost nights in and hot tubs for those summer nights soaking up the surrounding nature.

What are you waiting for? Book your holiday with us today!

Head to Talacre beach on 27th & 28th July for a fantastic weekend of World War II nostalgia along the North Wales coastline. Talacre village will be steeped in 1940’s nostalgia on 27th and 28th July, as the community centre will be putting on an event to help showcase what a key role this sleepy, seaside village in North Wales had to play during the Second World War.

Whether you’re a holiday guest or an owner with us here at Talacre Beach Resort, you are sure to have a fabulous time at the weekend long event, which will only be a 10 minute walk from your holiday home.

Talacre world war ii event

The World War II weekend event is part of the 2019 Now & Then exhibition, which is held at the Talacre Community Centre and is full of interesting facts about the local area from over the decades.

As the largest event of the year the World War II Event will be along the beach and throughout the village and is sure to be a huge hit with all ages. You will be able to learn all about the Spitfire target practice that took place along the beach, the fascinating Norcan pillboxes which are still there and you can find out what it was like growing up in the huts in the sand dunes.

The whole family will delight in the various displays on offer, including the static Spitfire display, the Merlin engine and Spitfire cockpit displays, as well as a range of other military vehicles and displays to enjoy. You’ll love the show from the re-enactors who are there to help showcase what Talacre was really like in the 1940’s.

The weekend extravaganza is sure to be a fabulous time for all ages!

now & then exhibition

Over 2019 the Talacre Community Centre have been showcasing their Now & Then exhibition, which displays pictures, letters and other materials to show the interesting and varied history of the Talacre village.

The exhibition was awarded various grants, including a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help bring the village’s unique history to life. Talacre beach was used as an area for Spitfire target practice during World War II, but it was also a place that many people were evacuated to in order to escape the bombing from Liverpool. Some evacuees elected to stay in Talacre, or kept their huts on the dunes as summer homes, which was the start of a long and successful holiday home owners history for the village.

Learn more about the Now & Then exhibition in our blog post here.

ownership at Talacre Beach Resort

As an owner at our 5 star location, Talacre Beach Resort, you can take full advantage of all the local area events, but still easily relax away from the hustle and bustle in your home away from home.

We offer a wide range of holiday homes and lodges for sale at Talacre Beach Resort. We will have the ideal home away from home to suit all needs and budgets, our professional Sales Advisors can introduce you to an independent financial advisors who will be able to help you spread the cost too. So owning your dream holiday home in North Wales could be much closer than you think.

Our friendly community of owners have unlimited access to our fantastic 5 star facilities, which includes an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa pool. As well as a newly refurbished Bistro Restaurant & Bar, where you can enjoy delicious meals and refreshing drinks. The whole family will love the arcade games and pool table room, as well as the day and evening entertainment programmes provided by Charlie Bear and his talented team of Rangers.

There is always something to do at Talacre Beach Resort, whether that’s getting stuck in with the activities on offer, relaxing in your home away from home or exploring the local area.

To find out more information about ownership at Talacre Beach Resort, call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or talk an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Discover over 12,000 fossils in a fabulous museum, where you’ll take a trip through time and learn about the Jurassic era in Lyme Regis

The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is located only a 15 minute drive away from our 5 star destination, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in picturesque South Devon. The museum is privately owned and managed by Palaeontologist Steve Davis and his wife, Jenny.

Mr Davis has collected over 12,000 specimens and created the museum to showcase how spectacular and fascinating the world of fossils really is. The collection still manages to grow every year, so you’ll always see something new at Dinosaurland! There’s even a map room showing you why Lyme Regis offers the best fossils and were the best places to find and your own are.

the three museums

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is split into 3 distinct areas, each showing a different aspect of the collection.

• The Fossil Collection – taking up the first floor, wander through the amazing collection of local 200 million year old marine Jurassic fossils and learn about the types of creatures who lived in the sea then. The exhibit is home to large fossils, including an impressive Ichthyosaur, as well as the small ammonites and, the tiny microfossils! There is also a collection of Chinese fossils, with the 73kg dino dung being the most popular attraction here.
• The Time Gallery – travel through Earth’s history and learn how Geologists date ancient rocks, with the exhibit showcasing the expanse of geological time on our planet. You can take a stroll through the different scenes portraying life and how it evolved through our history.
• The Natural History Room – marvel at an impressive collection of skeletons, beautiful shells from the beaches and a range of taxidermy showing a number of different creatures, some modern and some not! The exhibit shows how our present day life relates to the fossils that can be found in the collections at the museum. The Indian Python skeleton is a popular and fascinating sight, as it has 321 backbone segments!

why is Lyme Regis so good for fossil hunting?

200 million years ago the climate in Britain was subtropical, with the northern edge of the country covered by the Tethys Ocean. There was an important combination in the Lyme Regis area of warm, shall water and rich food flowing through, this helped to create the fossils still being found today. There are 3 main reasons why Lyme Regis has such a high population of fossils:

1. The local area managed to create a rich and diverse lifestyle for the creatures here 200 million years ago
2. The well preserved fossils were contained rocks, which lifted to the surface over 15 million years ago
3. Natural erosion along the Lyme Regis area is consistently exposing new fossils for people to find

There are two main beaches near Lyme Regis that are best to try your hand at fossil hunting are Black Ven Beach and Monmouth Beach, and you could start your Palaeontology career!

the fossil shop

Explore the shop where you can purchase over 500 types of minerals and fossils, it’s just as interesting as the exhibits and you can buy these beautiful fossils home with you.

The shop also stocks an impressive range of rough diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other beautiful gemstones, all available for purchase.

And if you get home only to realise you wanted something from the fabulous shop, you can pop online to purchase anything you like and they will deliver it to your home!

Don’t miss out on a fascinating day out at Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, where you can take a trip through time and learn all about the Jurassic era in Lyme Regis.

about Hawkchurch Resort & Spa

Located only a 15 minute drive from the museum is our beautiful five star destination, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the magical Axe Valley.

Book your holiday at Hawkchurch to explore the local area and discover Lyme Regis, while returning to your luxurious lodge. Our holiday accommodation boats open living spaces, fully fitted kitchens, sumptuous bedrooms and a range of lodges with hot tubs, you will love relaxing here.

Enjoy our outstanding facilities, including the Bistro Restaurant & Bar, serving delicious meals and stocking all your favourite beverages. Soothe those aching muscles in our stunning Hydrotherapy Pool, or relax in our steam room and Hammam-style sauna. The Ezina Spa offers a wide range of Aromatherapy Associates treatments to help you unwind from the daily grind.

You can truly relax with us at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, and if you don’t want to leave? You don’t have to! We also offer holiday home ownership at Hawkchurch.

For more information call us on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Visit Bristol Zoo Gardens’ wide range of animals at one of the world’s oldest zoo’s and learn all about their conservation work too. Our very own luxurious location, Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is only a 30 minute drive away from Bristol Zoo Gardens, making it the ideal destination to base yourself. The zoo first opened in July 1836 and is actually the fifth oldest in the world, with a rich history of conservation research, having saved over 175 species from extinction. The zoo is also a wonderful day out for all ages and has had more than 90 million visitors since opening!

the history of Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Zoo Gardens is run by the Bristol Zoological Society, a registered conservation and education charity, but back in 1835 it was founded by Henry Riley, a local physician, who helped join together a number of local prominent individuals. They all came together with the same mission in mind:

“to facilitate the observation of habits, form and structure of the animal kingdom, as well as affording rational amusement and recreation to the visitors of the neighbourhood”

With such a long legacy, steeped in education, conservation and fun, there have been a number of key milestones in Bristol Zoo Gardens’ history.

• A lowland gorilla arrived in the 1930’s. His name was Alfred and he was very popular and learned how to make snowballs. His popularity soared throughout World War II, providing people with joy during a dark time
• In 1934 Adam was born, and he was the first chimpanzee to be both conceived and born in captivity in Europe
• During the 80’s and 90’s, the zoo started to develop into the Bristol Zoo Gardens it is today. Several large exhibits opened during this time, including the monkey house, reptile house, the redesigned aquarium and both the wonderful seal and penguin coast exhibits

The zoo is continuing its legacy and is working on a number of research and conservation projects around the world.

animals & attractions

There are endless species to visit during your day out at Bristol Zoo Gardens, all enjoying a unique and natural habitat, lovingly created by the team who care for each of them.

The zoo has been a home to the critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas since 1930, with the current family headed by the impressive silverback, Jock. The family is completed by Kera, Kukena, Kala and Toni, who was hand raised until she was 8 months old and then reintroduced to the family.

You can visit the lion pride, the black howler monkeys or the very vocal gibbons during your trip. But don’t forget the fascinating dwarf crocodiles, African pancake tortoises, the fascinating lemurs or the huge range of beautiful and exotic birds that all call Bristol Zoo Gardens home.

The attractions at Bristol Zoo Gardens are wonderful, including the fun adventure playground and a super fun splash water zone for the little ones. Or opt for a slower pace and try to find all the colours in the Butterfly Forest.

The popular ZooRopia attraction is a fun adventure course for all ages, you can all take advantage of this absolutely wonderful opportunity to swing alongside the lemurs, gibbons and gorillas.

For a completely unique and wonderful journey, head to the Twilight World exhibit, where night and day will be reversed. Meet some of the most fascinating nocturnal creatures in the world, in beautiful settings from the dark forest with the aye-aye’s and underground with the naked mole rats to the town house, which is home to tiny house mice!

So if you’re looking for a fabulously fun day at Bristol Zoo Gardens is definitely the place to be and being only a 30 minute drive away from Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, it really is the ideal place to base yourself to explore the area.

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa offers everything you could want for a getaway, from luxurious lodge style accommodation with large open plan living areas, sumptuous bedding and a selection of hot tub lodges too. Our stunning five star facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Eden Spa offering Aromatherapy Associates treatments. The whole family will love the Go Active + programme, which includes a large rock climbing wall, waterwalkerz and archery.

There is so much to do at Cheddar Woods you’ll love relaxing for lunch or an evening meal at our Bistro Restaurant, while kicking back with a drink from our fully stocked bar. And if you don’t want to leave? You don’t have to, as Cheddar Woods offers holiday home ownership too, so you could holiday here every weekend!

For more information about holiday home ownership at Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or speak to an advisor via our live chat service and book your tour to see our resort today.

Explore stunning private estates in the heart of Kent, while trying your hand at a variety of amazing falconry and bird of prey experiences at Doddington Place Gardens. Located only a 35 minute drive away from our beautiful Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, The Hawking Centre offers wonderful falconry experiences in a beautiful setting of parkland, formal gardens and woodland. Take in the peacefulness around you and enter a world where you’ll meet stunning owls, hawks, vultures, eagles and falcons, as well as getting to learn all about these majestic creatures.

There are a wide range of experiences and in-depth courses from half day, full day and five day options all being available.

about the Hawking Centre

First established in 1998, The Hawking Centre was founded and is owned by Leigh Holmes. Created out of a true passion for these fabulously fascinating creatures, Leigh was only 20 years old when he founded the centre and designed his dream job.

The Hawking Centre’s very first bookings came from Doddington Place Gardens and Farming World in 1998. Soon after the successful summer season, the centre was a full-time fixture at Farming World, and in 1999 Leigh’s partner Jo joined the centre too.

8 years later, Leigh, Jo and their two children moved to Leeds Castle, offering falconry experiences full time in the old halls of King Henry VIII.
Eventually the family business came full circle and moved home to Doddington Place Gardens. The centre now has 15 experienced and passionate members of staff, including Leigh and Jo’s daughter, Ellie Holmes.

As well as the team of humans growing, the family of birds have grown over the decades to include stunningly white gyr-falcons, some of the world’s largest eagles, beautiful owls and hawks, along with character-filled vultures!

what experiences can you book?

There is a large variety of experiences on offer at The Hawking Centre in Doddington, we’ve listed these below, but for up to date prices make sure to visit The Hawking Centre website.

• Half Day Experience – spend the afternoon, or morning, learning to fly a fabulous team of eagles, vultures, owls and hawks
• Full Day Experience – enjoy a whole day flying the team of vultures, owls, eagles and hawks
• VIP Half Day Experience – take advantage of one to one flying experiences with the fantastic team of birds
• VIP Full Day Experience – indulge in a whole day of learning about a flying with the team of beautiful birds available
• The Big Four Experience – a truly wonderful half day experience flying the largest birds at the centre, while visiting all areas of the gardens
• Talons & Targets – a fabulous full day experience, where the morning will be spent flying a spectacular team of birds of prey, you’ll then enjoy lunch. And the afternoon will test your target skills with games of archery
• Falconer for a Day – take a sneak peek behind the scenes and have a backstage tour of the enclosures and the team of birds with a falconer
• 5 Day Falconry Day – the perfect course for those thinking about keeping and flying their own birds of prey
• 1 Hour Falconry Experience – a great taster session to kick start your obsession and love of birds of prey
• Afternoon Tea & 1 Hour Falconry – enjoy a perfect introduction into falconry and indulge in delicious afternoon tea (available at Eastwell Manor location only)
• Lunch & 1 Hour Falconry – enjoy a wonderful lunch and an hour introductory falconry session (available at Eastwell Manor location only)

enjoy Doddington Place gardens

Doddington Place Garden is a beautiful and imposing Victorian mansion, surrounded by 10 acres of magical wooded countryside, all in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Hawking Centre at Doddington perfectly uses the peaceful locations of the gardens as their falconry experience settings. Discover the expertly landscaped gardens, the beautiful woodland and large Edwardian garden, which includes extensive lawns, a stunning formal and sunken garden, as well as a picturesque rock garden with pools.

Doddington Place Gardens is recognised as being of historical importance by the English Heritage Society, you’ll love all the time spent exploring the gardens during your Hawking Centre experience.

Book your falconry experience at The Hawking Centre and enjoy a wonderful day with a passionate team and truly beautiful birds of prey.

Stay at Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, where our luxurious self-catering lodge accommodation will hold everything you need for a getaway, but a few little extras. Enjoy relaxing in the large, open plan living room, while indulging in breakfast on your private decking area. The spacious bedrooms offer a wonderful night’s sleep, with the stunning bathrooms having everything you need for a holiday away. Our beautiful lodges really do have everything you could want for a holiday in Kent.

The summer season at Llandudno’s theatre offers plenty the whole family can watch and enjoy. From murder mystery plays, live performances from CBeebies stars and a visit from three of Strictly Come Dancing’s much loved professional dancers.

To help you choose from the show-stopping line up on offer during the Summer months we’ve created this ‘top picks’ blog.

So keep reading to find a show that takes your fancy!

one night of queen

When: 22nd June

Do you or someone you know LOVE Queen? If so this show is the one for you!

This spectacular show will showcase all of the best Queen classics from one of the best rock bands of all time and it promises to ROCK you!

Tickets are £24.50

club tropicana

When: 24th – 29th June

Joe McElderry is leading the cast of Club Tropicana, a musical packed full of 80’s bangers! So grab your flip-flops and head to Venue Cymru for the ultimate feel-good holiday musical.

Get ready for a set of 80’s pop anthems, performed live on stage, including Just Can’t get Enough, Take on Me and the Look of Love and many more!

Tickets from £19.50

here come the boys

When: 19th July

That’s right three of Strictly Come Dancing’s most loved professional dancers, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez are taking to the Llandudno stage for ONE night only!

They’re going to be having a dance off battle with each other showcasing Latin, Ballroom and contemporary dance. With live music from Elizabeth Troy (formerly with Clean
Bandit) covering the likes of J.Lo, Bruno Mars, Gloria Estefan and much more!

Limited Availability! Tickets from £26.50

the mousetrap

When: 12th – 17th August

Agatha Christies’ The Mousetrap has been adapted for the stage and will be heading out on a UK tour in 2019. It is well known for keeping its audiences guessing and is becoming the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre.

Be prepared to be held in suspense as you try to guess which mysterious character is responsible in this twisting mystery drama.

So get your detective hats at the ready and enjoy a night of thrilling live dramatic theatre.

Tickets from £20

in the night garden

When: 31st – 1st September

That’s right! The BAFTA award-winning CBeebies children’s TV show, ‘In the Night Garden’, is returning to the Llandudno stage in September.

Get ready for a spectacular production, perfect for your littles ones first trip to the theatre! There will be live music and stars Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka will return with friends for a musical theatre experience perfect for the whole family.

Tickets from £14

To book your tickets to see any of amazing shows on offer this Summer at the Llandudno theatre, then just give the Venue Cymru Box Office a call on 01492 872000 or visit the Venue Cymru website.

With its own microclimate, Ventnor Botanic Garden in the Isle of Wight offers breath-taking surroundings and a wide variety of plants. Located only a 35 minute drive away from our own Woodside Coastal Retreat, in the heart of the Undercliff, Ventnor Botanic Garden is perfectly placed to be protected by the chalk downs from the northerly winds. Spend the day at the hottest garden in the UK, where there are plenty of things to do and fascinating plants to see.

about Ventnor Botanic Garden

In the undercliff of Ventnor it rarely rains, with a climate more similar to the Mediterranean, the Ventnor Botanic Garden in the Isle of Wight boasts an impressive collection of subtropical plants. Because of this warm climate, combined with the moderating impact of the sea, the Botanic Garden is unrivalled in being able to grow plants considered too delicate to grow in mainland Britain outside and unprotected.

Ventnor Botanic Garden Grows succulents, cacti, herbs, mature palm trees, Australian eucalyptus and colourful South African treasures, plus so much more. Enjoy an immersive experience, where you can travel the world through a range of landscapes, with plants designed and grown in geographical regions, for a delightful experience for all.

what’s at Ventnor Botanic Garden

As well as the general garden itself, there are particular places to visit and things to do, so we’ve listed them below for you:

• The Tropical House – this house perfectly showcases the famous Victorian curvilinear conservatories. You’ll enter the conservatory through a derelict mineshaft that opens into a tropically heated house, where warm running water produces the humidity that these plants need to survive. The pool contains 22 tonnes of heated water and is home to the magnificent Amazonian Giant Waterlily during the summer.
• edulis Restaurant – enjoy beautiful food from talented chefs who use the freshest of ingredients, including fruit and vegetables grown in the surrounding gardens. Check opening times as they do vary depending on season.

• Plantation Room Café – a wonderful place to relax and enjoy good food, if the weather is on your side dine on the terrace and soak in the views across the colourful garden
• The Gift Shop – the shop offers a range of products, including gifts and mementos, as well as showcasing local art, photography and fine china. There is also a range of produce made from the exotic and rare ingredients grown at Ventnor Botanic Garden
• The Wellbeing Experience – Ventnor Botanic Garden boasts a rich history of improving health and wellbeing, being a chest and respiratory disease hospital during the Victorian era. Nowadays, they offer a wide range of yoga and wellbeing classes to be enjoyed in the tranquil garden

secret places at Ventnor Botanic Garden

There are many hidden secrets around the garden just waiting to be found and explored, with some secrets dating back to the Royal National Hospital of the 1800’s, we’ve listed the best below.

• The Tunnel – this hidden tunnel runs all the way through the cliff, from the garden to the peaceful shore. In 1875 the hospital requested a tunnel in order to help patients gain access to the shore, however it was rejected. It’s not clear when the tunnel was created, but it is assumed sometime in the 1880’s, but it was not built for patients (or smugglers as rumours suggest), it was actually built for drainage and waste disposal. It was closed at both ends in 1940, it is 350ft long with a vaulted roof. DO NOT try to find the exit or enter the tunnel without a guide. Ventnor Botanic Garden runs free guided tours at 2pm every day.

• The Wall Lizards – these beautiful lizards are also known by their scientific name, Podarcis Muralis . They are often seen basking in the sunshine or heard running through the leaves of the Mediterranean Garden. Their origin is still under debate, with their homeland in Italy, the long standing population could have been accidently be introduced and naturalised, or the Isle of Wight is the northern most part of their natural habitat.
• The Mushroom Chamber – inside the chamber you will find all kinds of mushrooms, as well as the team growing an extensive variety of edible mushrooms in the Fruiting Chamber, Ventnor Botanic Gardens also allows you to sample the grown mushrooms in the Plantation Room Café. Varieties include Shitake, Yellow and Red Oyster.
• Secret Gardens – there are many little secret gardens hidden all over the 22 acres of Ventnor Botanic Garden, all off the beaten track and waiting for you to discover and explore. You’ll find romantic seating areas, tranquil locations and peaceful clifftop meadows boasting beautiful coastline views.

opening times & prices

Located at Undercliff Dr., Ventnor, PO38 1UL – Ventnor Botanic Gardens is only a 40 minute drive from our own Woodside Coastal Retreat destination.

The garden is open every day, 10am – 5pm

Prices for 2019

Woodside Coastal Retreat offers five star accommodation, with large open plan living spaces, sumptuous bedding and a range of lodges with hot tubs, so you can holiday in style. Guests also have unlimited access to our sister resort, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat and the exceptional, five start facilities available. Including the Bistro Restaurant serves a range of delicious meals and boasts a fully stocked bar, as well as the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge offering a variety of luxury Aromatherapy Associates treatments.

Why not book your holiday to Woodside Coastal Retreat today and start exploring the Ventnor Botanic Garden, as well as the rest of this fascinating island.

In Surrey, you’ll find the fascinating Birdworld park, where you can meet and learn about a large variety of birds from all over the world. Located only a 15 minute drive away from our five star Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, Birdworld in Farnham, is a fun and educational day out for all ages, with over 1,200 species of birds and other animals to learn about.

Birdworld is part of a number of international breeding programmes and helps the conservation of many of its animals, as well as promoting their conservation knowledge, so we can all help save habitats!

the history of Birdworld

Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Surrey, Birdworld offers a fabulous day out and has done since it opened to the public in 1968.

Originally a family run business by Roy Harvey and his family, the park became a popular attraction and grew, adding new exhibitions, including the aquarium and children’s farm.
In 1996, Birdworld was bought and is still owned, by a local business called Denys E. Head Ltd. The new owners continued to develop the park over the decades, with the most recent additions including Parrots in Flight and the award-winning, Penguin Beach exhibition.

Conservation work and development is always at the forefront of the Birdworld ethos, helping to protect the future of the species and creating the most natural and enriching habitats for those in captivity.

penguins of Birdworld in Surrey

At Birdworld there are two penguin species to visit, the Humbolt Penguins, which originated in Peru and Chile, as contrary to popular belief they actually thrive in hot climates, with cold water near to their colony so they can fish. The park has enjoyed impressive success in breeding, with over 300 Humbolt Penguins either increasing or establishing colonies all over the world.

Visit the award-winning Penguin Beach to meet the African Penguins, who also enjoy a warm climate. The attraction is a recreation of South Africa’s Roben Island, which is most famously known for the prison that held Nelson Mandela as a political prisoner. However, Roben Island is also home to an abundance of wildlife native to the island, including African Penguins.

Birdworld attractions and animals

There are countless attractions and animals to explore and learn about at Birdworld, Farnham, and we’ve listed a few of the best ones for you:

• The Jenny Wren Farm – one of the most popular areas of the park. The Jenny Wren Farm is home to a wide range of farmyard animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep and pigs.
• Penguin Island and Penguin Beach  – this is home to the two colonies of penguins at Birdworld. You can watch them jump and dive for their lunch during the daily penguin feeds here.
• Outback Landing  – this is a walkthrough aviary where you can enjoy being up close to some of the most iconic birds in the Australian Outback.
• Owl Parliament – a quieter area of the park that is dedicated to the majestic owls. Here you can see distinctive owl species like Snowy Owls and Burrowing Owls.

daily and seasonal events available

There are a number of annual events held at Birdworld in Surrey, including Easter Egg Hunts and Santa’s Grotto, as well as the option to book wonderful Animal Encounters available for all ages. But there are also a range of daily events available for everyone to enjoy, including the ever popular Penguin Feeding time, where you can learn more about them and watch them chase each other and dive for their fish!

check out the upcoming events at Birdworld

opening times & prices

Birdworld is in Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LD. A 15 minute drive from Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat.
It is open every day from 10am – 6:00pm (BST) and 10am – 4:30pm (GMT) (last admission is one hour before closing)

Prices for 2022

Birdworld, Surrey offers a fantastic day our where you can see more than 1,200 species of animals, including crocodiles, piranha and seahorses in the aquarium. And with development continuing, you never know what you might see next!

Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is located in Farnham, Surrey and offers a luxury escape to the countryside, but still only a 50 minute train journey into London for city breaks.

Tilford Woods is home to beautiful lodge style accommodation, which has everything you could need for a self-catering holiday in Surrey, including a fully equipped kitchen, large open living spaces, sumptuous beds and beautiful bathrooms. We also have options for private hot tubs and even private saunas in your lodge, to add a little extra luxury to your holiday escape.

Book your holiday to our Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat today!