Chester Cathedral Falconry and Nature Gardens Family Fune Day July 16th

[CheshireEditor]

Chester Cathedral Falconry and Nature Gardens is pleased to be celebrating its first birthday with a family-friendly fun day.

On Saturday 16 July a festival celebration will be held in the falconry centre and on the Dean's Field adjacent to the centre.

The celebration will include a bouncy castle, face painting, extensive reptile shows, coconut shy, a penalty shootout and more in addition to the centre's beloved 13 birds of prey, including vultures, owls and an eagle, and educational nature gardens.

In the past year the falconry centre has welcomed nearly 7,000 visitors and has proven to be one of Chester's hidden gems rising on TripAdvisor to number 7 of 84 things to do in Chester.

Canon Peter Howell-Jones, Vice Dean of Chester, said: "We're incredibly excited that the falconry has enjoyed such a successful and industrious year. It's wonderful to know both locals and tourists enjoy our centre to such an extent. We're pleased to have had such a positive impact on the community and look forward with excitement to the years ahead."

In June last year the centre made headlines for drastically cutting down anti-social behaviour in the north-east corner of the City Centre by beginning works on the Falconry and Nature Gardens. Since then, crime in the area has remained low thanks to the diligent efforts of the falconry team.

Within its first year the Falconry and Nature Gardens has seen many additions to the centre including Madagascan hissing cockroaches, giant African land snails, a bearded dragon and a corn snake. Bird and bat boxes have been added to the nature gardens along with a virtual bee hive and children's play area.

The falconry team extended their thanks to Sally Bie for all of her hard work on the centre grounds. The flower beds and hanging baskets are now flourishing thanks to her efforts.

Families are invited to the centre during the summer school holidays with a Summer Holiday Family Pass which allows for unlimited entry for a family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) between Saturday 16th July 2016 and Wednesday 7th September 2016. The pass costs only £25 and can be purchased in person at the centre or by ringing the Box Office at 01244 500959.

The family-friendly birthday day celebration will take place on Saturday 16 July at Chester Cathedral Falconry and Nature Gardens. All are invited to attend. Adults cost £3, children cost £2.50 and a family day pass (2 adults and up to 3 children) cost £10. Families receive free admission with a Summer Holiday Family Pass.

chestercathedral.com/falconry-nature-gardens/