Flying High at Beamish

July 21st 2015

Beamish is pleased to announce a new addition to it’s traditional experiences programme, as visitors will now be able to enjoy the ultimate hands on experience as they take a stroll with a Georgian Falconer and her hawk.

Hawk Walk

The Georgian Hawk Walk will last from between an hour to an hour and a half, giving visitors the chance to handle and fly a stunning hawk and learn about the life of a falconer in the 1800s. The walk will start from Pockerley Waggonway, through the Georgian landscape, passing by newly rebuilt Eston Church and venturing up the hill past Pockerley Old Hall before a short walk to an area of picturesque fields on the edge of the museum site, showing the hawks’ incredible skill in a variety of different territories.

Helen Barker, Assistant Director at Beamish said “This is a really exciting addition to the museum, allowing us to tell another important story of life in the 1800s, it’s an amazing experience to be able to handle and fly the hawks and I’m really hoping it “takes off” if you’ll excuse the pun, I’ve already booked my place!”

After the walk there will be a chance to meet some other birds of prey including Bramley, the barn owl which makes for a great photo opportunity for those with a modern camera!

Beamish’ very own falconer Becca Worgan is very excited to be flying the birds at the museum, after the success of falconry at the Georgian Fair, Agricultural Show and even Halloween when the owls took over the Waggonway. She said “I’m so excited for the Georgian Hawk Walks, falconry has been a sport for over 4000 years with an incredible history, what better way to learn about it than try on a gauntlet for size as a stunning hawk flies to your gloved hand during a walk through the countryside.”