Top 5 Things to do in Billericay, United Kingdom (UK)

Welcome to the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy. We are the leading Bird of Prey Centre in Essex, based at Barleylands Farm & Craft Village, Billericay. We are open to the public 362 days of the year, where you can enjoy our daily flying displays in our purpose built flying arena. In addition, Barleylands Farm & Craft Village offers both indoor and outdoor activities for children, craft shops and tearooms, creating a fantastic day out in Essex for all the family. We offer a wide range of experience days, which are both fun and educational, catering for all ages and abilities, making them the perfect gift. Our friendly team will make your experience both personal and enjoyable giving you plenty of hands on time with our amazing birds of prey – making your visit to the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy truly memorable. A day you will never forget. For that special occasion, why not have our birds of prey come to you? At the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy, we are able to offer tailor-made school visits, static bird displays, educational talks and so much more.... We look forward to seeing you soon!

Set in mature woodland and offering superb views over the 870 acre Hanningfield Reservoir; Hanningfield nature reserve itself offers beautiful walks through the woodland; visiting bird hides, ponds and appreciating views across the Reservoir. The site is run in partnership with Essex & Suffolk Water where you can venture through to their Cafe on the Water or take up a day’s fishing at the Fishing Lodge. The Reservoir itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the important numbers of wildfowl that use the Reservoir in the autumn and winter. New from March 2015 came the Wind in the Willows sculpture and brass rubbing trail with five sculptures from the much loved story of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. Maps are available at the visitor centre for 50p as well as exclusive books and gifts in partnership with the River & Rowing Boat Museum, Henley-on-Thames. If you fancy venturing further than Mr Toad down by the pond there are great nature trails on the reserve for all to enjoy. Advice is always on hand in the visitor centre, to help identify wildlife and to share the latest hotspots to experience wildlife. A trail guide is available from the visitor centre at 40p, to guide you around the reserve and wildlife activity bags can be hired for a small donation for the children to take out on the reserve. The reserve has full disabled access including Lyster Bird hide, just a short distance away. The centre boasts a wide array of gifts, range of Hawke & Opticron binoculars and telescopes; as well as books and refreshments including sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee. Take a seat at our Seating area whilst you are enjoying your hot drinks and enjoy the stunning views over the Reservoir. Visitor Centre Facilities Include gift shop offering light refreshments, toys, books, optics binoculars and scopes, bird feeders & feed, wildlife gardening products, greeting cards and much more. Toilets, disabled access toilet, baby changing facilities, wheel chair accessibility. Booking is essential for all centre events, so make sure you call or visit the centre in advance to avoid disappointment. No dogs except registered assistance dogs. No bicycles allowed.

Get ready for free range family fun at Barleylands Farm Park. Packed with excitement there's so much to do whatever the weather. Say hello to farmyard friends big and small, meet birds of prey, handle reptiles, run wild in the indoor play, jump aboard the tractor & trailer ride and miniature train and join in changing daily activities. The Farm Park is now also home to the South East's largest reptile display collection with the permanent Reptile House from Snakes Alive. Explore over 50 enclosures bursting with snakes, lizards, tortoises, amphibians, mini-beasts and more plus enjoy interactive reptile experiences where you might end up holding a huge Burmese python or a monitor lizard! With the indoor animal barn you can get close to the farmyard animals and cuddly creatures and join in hands on activities including animal bottle feeding every day! Also undercover is an indoor sand pit, ball blasting arena and toddler inflatable as well as the Indoor Play Barn packed with soft play adventures. Daily timetabled activities in the farm park vary and can include bird of prey flying shows, hand-on reptile session, hilarious 'Lamb National' sheep racing, goat grooming, petting cute Guinea pigs and bunnies and more. There are bumpy tractor and trailer rides and even a miniature train. Plus you'll find extra special events every school holiday including babies galore at Easter and spooky happenings for Halloween. On sunny days head to the outdoor adventure areas complete with an enormous jumping pillow, zip wire, climbs and slides to explore. There are go karts to race and children can grab a welly and challenge their parents at Crazy Farmers Croquet. Little ones can take to mini tractors and didicars to transport themselves around the farm park! Interested in the history of farming? Head to the Discovery Barn to see vintage tractors, machines and interactive exhibits. Next to Barleylands Farm Park, you'll also discover Barleylands Craft Village. A great place for unusual handmade gifts and seeing crafter in action it also hosts bi-monthly farmers markets, and boasts an Italian cafe and an a la carte restaurant. Plus annually the site transforms into the Essex Country Show.

The snakes alive Reptile house opened Easter 2015 within Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay. With over 55 enclosures purpose built to the highest standard and using top of the range equipment for heating and lighting it rates as one of the best places to go in the South East of England to see these wonderful animals up close. The team at Snakes alive offer an interactive reptile experience bringing not only reptiles but a variety of Arachnids & Mini-beasts up close to the public allowing them to learn exciting facts about the animals and demonstrating that they do not live up to their reputation of being dangerous dumb creatures. We provide two displays a day and extra activities during the school holidays demonstrating the special adaptions these animals have evolved to have, ensuring the public get the most out of their visit to the reptile house. snakes alive offer experience days and handling experiences within the reptile house. Prices of these and more information can be found on our website. You can have your very own snakes alive reptile party at Barleylands Farm Park during the week and at weekends Please contact the Barleylands Farm for more information School visit and educational talks are also welcome at the reptile house. Please contact Karen at Barleylands Farm for more information. snakes alive also offer a range of outreach services from:- Interactive Reptile Parties We cater for all ages and can attend your venue or home with a selection of animals for a fun encounter and educational experience . School Visits We attend Early Years settings, Primary and Secondary schools to provide an interactive reptile experiences that fit in with the national curriculum and Key stages. Events & Displays We can attend inside and outside events throughout the year; these often include school fetes, corporate displays, functions and public events. Animal Hire We can hire out our animals for Photoshoots, Film & TV, Theatre & Stage, Music Videos, Product launches and Themed Parties.