Coda Falconry Ltd

Coda Falconry is a working falconry centre on the outskirts of Walton-on-Thames, where you can watch birds of prey doing what they do best - flying, hunting, and generally being magnificent. It's the sort of place where handlers work with everything from Harris hawks to golden eagles, and if you're lucky, you'll catch a flying display that actually feels like proper wildlife rather than a theme park performance.

You're watching skilled birds and their handlers work together, which is the draw here. Some attractions do this by rote; Coda manages to make it feel less choreographed than many. Families with children aged eight and up tend to get the most from a visit - younger kids can find it a bit slow if there's no action on the wing. Serious birders and anyone interested in conservation also get their money's worth.

The exact admission cost and opening hours aren't published online, so ring ahead before you head over from Walton-on-Thames - worth doing anyway because availability depends on the birds' schedule and the weather. Allow two to three hours if there's a display on; less if you're just looking at the aviaries. It's not a vast site, but it's focused.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site is closest at under five miles - Coda works as a half-day outing alongside the riverside walks and Thames-side pubs in the area. Don't expect a full day's entertainment, but it beats another lap of the park amenities.