Valley View Falconry — Attraction in Nantmel

Wow! Wow! Wow! A big thank you to Tim, Kathleen and their extended family of beautiful birds and animals for such a warm and friendly welcome and making the last day of our holiday absolutely amazing! Valley View Falconry is a unique and hidden pocket of Welsh beauty tucked away, ready for you to share and experience their amazing Birds of Prey for yourself – you are welcomed into this very special family, whose true dedication has seen them immersed into this amazing way of life, where they are fully committed to rescuing and keeping Birds of Prey safe, happy and healthy.

On arrival, I was immediately holding a baby bunny just days old, whilst watching an excited kid goat skipping freely, seeing elegant peacocks parade, listening to a chatty goose and flock of chickens and roosters, watching tiny cheeky kittens play hide and seek, as beautiful horses were being lovingly tended to.

In the 2-hour Bird of Prey 'Meet and Greet' for two people, we each held 6 very different and fascinating owls and hawks. Tim has a special way of bringing out the unique and quirky personalities of each bird you meet and he enjoys answering any questions you have – so feel free to ask away, as you will learn so much from him. Tim will tailor the birds he selects for your Meet and Greet according to those you would most love to see and hold, starting with the smallest and lightest, gradually building your confidence as they increase in size and weight.

During each hold, Tim made sure both of us and the birds were happy and content, we were not rushed at all, so all we had to do was relax and enjoy the experience. The excitement of which bird was coming next was such a surprise - I tried not to peek, but just had to sneak a quick look, especially when each bird announced their arrival with a welcoming shriek to say ‘hello.’ There is nothing more captivating than gaining the respect and trust from a Bird of Prey, whilst seeing every little detail of their beauty so close up – Tim has a wonderful way of making you feel at ease to be able to do this confidently. We loved holding all of the owls and hawks, but our soft spots and therefore most memorable memories were listening to the cute baby cries from Ava the truly elegant and grown up Great Horned Owl, cradling Odin the Siberian Eagle Owl like a baby in our arms, the truly remarkable Shey, the stunning Harris Hawk, whilst he allowed us to gently stroke and then squidge his legs. Finally, I had the privilege of staring into the dramatic and intense eyes of Phoenix the majestic Red-Tailed Hawk, before he shaded me from the sun with a hug from his magnificent wing span, as we looked over Valley View - all amazing moments I will treasure for ever and a perfect end to our holiday.

For the time you are at Valley View Falconry, you will be entertained by Tim who will make you laugh constantly, the beautiful Birds of Prey will mesmerise you, the tranquillity of the breath-taking scenery and setting will simply enchant so you do not want to leave! From staying in beautifully restored and colourful Shepherd Huts accommodation, to browsing through a treasure trove of exciting and intriguing collectables evoked from days-gone-by in the fascinating Antiques Barn, relaxing in a welcoming and homely Café, then exploring a well-stocked Gift Shop, including embroidered clothing and unique memento gifts with personal photos from your visit, designed by Tim. There’s even a charming Beauty Salon for relaxing, pampering treatments on-site, run by Tim and Kathleen’s daughter, making this a truly family affair and a wonderful experience that the whole family can enjoy!

So, if you are looking to make some very special memories, Valley View Falconry is a ‘must place to visit’ – a hidden Welsh gem waiting to be explored and a once in a life-time experience you will...

A truly unforgettable falconry experience!

We had the most magical visit to Tim’s falconry today. Despite calling only that morning, Tim kindly squeezed us in, even though he was busy—something we really appreciated. His passion and knowledge made the whole experience even more special.

We were introduced to a wonderful variety of birds, each with their own personality. We started with a baby Barn owl who gave us a cheeky little hiss! Then we met Rolo, the Asian brown wood owl—so calm and gentle. Gizmo, the white-faced scops owl, was a tiny, wide-eyed character—adorable and slightly spooky, with striking orange eyes. Ava the great horned owl was a real highlight: she let us stroke her, and even closed her eyes in bliss. Shey, the Harris hawk, was majestic, and we finished by watching Rossi the Saker falcon—although we didn’t hold him, it was amazing just to see such a powerful bird up close.

Holding these birds on the glove was a powerful, humbling experience. Each one was fascinating in its own way, and being up close with them was something I’ll never forget.

Tim was so accommodating and clearly cares deeply for his birds. His work is both educational and heartwarming. We left feeling awed, grateful, and full of respect for these incredible creatures.

Highly recommended to anyone looking for a unique, intimate...

We had the most incredible experience at Valley View Falconry with Tim! From the moment we arrived, it was clear how passionate and knowledgeable he is about birds of prey. He took the time to educate us with such care and detail, making the experience both engaging and unforgettable. The environment was spotless, spacious, and clearly designed with the birds’ welfare in mind. Each bird was healthy, calm, and clearly well-loved – it was heartwarming to see just how much Tim genuinely cares for them. What made the day even more special was Tim’s kindness and ability to adapt the experience to suit everyone’s individual needs. He went above and beyond to make sure we felt welcome and involved, creating a truly personal connection that made all the difference. Our love for barn owls grew even stronger when we were given the honour of naming a baby barn owl born that very morning – we chose the name Joe and couldn’t be more proud! We can’t wait to return to sponsor and learn more about how we can help care for these beautiful creatures, especially little Joe. Who we will honour on behalf of a loved one forever. Thank you, Tim, for a truly magical experience. We’ll cherish it always and are already looking forward to coming back!...