Set on an expansive property in the English countryside, lies a nature venue that will tickle the travel fancy of youngsters and adult birders alike. Andover's Hawk Conservancy Trust features a multitude of observation stations, playground areas, a scavenger hunt stamp book to build excitement for young vacationers and three separate world-class flight demonstrations that trump anything else I've seen at similar sites around the globe. Here's how to enjoy an entire day at the park, making the absolute most of your entry ticket.
Timing: Arrive early and grab a cup of coffee or a bottle of water. The restaurant opens before the park, and they provide their Wi-Fi code with a purchase receipt. Caffeinating or hydrating in advance gets you prepped for the experience, and provides bonus all-day internet access for Instagram junkies and parents who need to check email while the kids are getting into their travel groove.
Snacks: Consider packing a lunch. The on-site restaurant is affordable enough and has some decent menu items, but if your youngsters are picky eaters or you want to ensure they stay satisfied for a long day of fresh air, it's a good idea to bring along some items that will take the hunger away quickly. You also want things on hand you know they will enjoy in order to avoid day-trip drama. There are shaded picnic tables available, and the staff doesn't mind if you pop out to the car to grab your lunch cooler from the trunk.
Breaks: While the stamp books, flight demos, snack sessions and restroom stops will take up most of the day, you will still have a couple of brief dead spots in your itinerary. These are easily handled by taking the kiddos to the playground areas or taking some time on the grass or a bench to read a story or do a bit of coloring. This strategy has the added bonus of mixing up the activity schedule so the children won't get saturated too soon and suffer a meltdown prior to the later large-scale demonstrations. These up-close flight demos are something they will always remember, particularly the one where they pick young visitors to be part of the bird theater performance troop.
Photography: While the Vulture Restaurant and numerous bird habitats offer fabulous opportunities for those with a great camera and a zoom lens, the three flight demonstrations are where the real photographic action is. Each takes place at a separate location in the park, and all include multiple bird flights that are choreographed to present not just the conservation stories of each bird type, but also how they live in their natural habitat. Demos include head-buzzing flight paths from many of the birds, making it a nature photographer's vacation dream.
Also, don't miss the one-on-one sessions that come built into the admission price. There are more expensive private add-on experiences available to book with the birds, but two fun ones are available with the basic entry ticket. The first is a hawk encounter, and the second is an opportunity to personally meet a British bird of prey. Both are great photo opportunities, and provide a much closer chance to take a picture than you'll find elsewhere in the park. Entry fees equate to roughly 20 bucks for adults and $13 per child, with discounts available for family groups.
Additionally, the town of Andover itself is a pleasant place to spend a few days. With a twice-weekly open-air market, an old river mill turned into a beer garden and a range of local eateries housed in historic buildings, there's plenty of charm to go around. Be advised that parking becomes free at the paid lots around town after four in the afternoon and on Sundays. So if you want to check out the downtown shops and restaurants, late afternoon and on the last day of the week is a budget-friendly time to do it.
If you're craving ethnic food, check out Siam Orchid. Housed in what appears to be an old horse stable, it's a tiny restaurant that seats less than 50 folks at a time. Prices are reasonable, and access is easy from the large public parking lot across the street. Another fun spot to experience in Andover is The Angel. Part inn and part pub, it has been in operation since at least the late 1100s. This historically significant venue is steeped in tradition with a vibe to match. Conveniently, the outside seating area has room for the kids to run around a bit while you bend an elbow at an establishment where the likes of King John, Henry VI and Catherine of Aragon have kicked back with a beverage as well.
