About this tour
When Jake from our BugBitten team booked this, he got the best of both Bath worlds: a private morning walk with someone who actually grew up here, then an afternoon flying a hawk in the quieter countryside just outside town. It's a solid seven-plus hours that pairs the Georgian architecture and Roman history angle with a genuine hands-on wildlife moment — the kind of tour that appeals to people who want their sightseeing personal and their afternoons a bit different. Small groups only (max four), which keeps things intimate rather than cattle-herding.
Highlights
- Local-born guide who knows Bath's backstreets and stories beyond the guidebook
- Private transport means no bus queues or shared minivan awkwardness
- Actual hawk flying, not spectating — you're holding the bird
- Falconry spot sits in a proper village, feels removed from tourist hustle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off saves the pre-tour logistics stress
- Intimate group size means the guide remembers your name and interests
- Afternoon timing breaks up the day instead of cramming everything morning
What to expect
Jake's morning started with hotel collection and a drive into Bath's compact centre. The walking section was unhurried — his guide pointed out the crescents, the Abbey, Roman Baths, and actually explained how the city got built, not just rote facts. Because it was private, they could pause longer where Jake was genuinely curious and skip what didn't interest him. The pace felt more like a knowledgeable mate showing you around than a metred tour schedule.
After lunch (which you sort yourself), you head out to the falconry site. Jake found it tucked into a village with actual fields around it, not a tourist attraction bolted onto a farm shop. The hawk experience was the real deal — handlers fitted him with a glove, explained the bird's behaviour, and he flew it across open ground. Weather matters here; if it's rough, the whole thing gets tricky. The owl alternative (indoors) is available if you book ahead and prefer something weatherproof.
What travellers say
- Private guide who actually grew up in Bath — not rote script delivery
- Hotel collection and return included; no transport faffing about
- Genuinely fly a hawk yourself, not just watch from a distance
- Small-group cap of four keeps it personal and flexible
- Two distinct experiences avoid the one-thing-all-day monotony
- Hawk flying is weather-dependent; poor conditions mean limited options
- Children under 8 excluded from the falconry part, limits family appeal
- Lunch isn't provided; you're finding food mid-tour yourself
- Pricier per person than standard group tours in Bath
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works if you want Bath's highlights without the group-tour feeling, and the hawk flying genuinely surprises most people — it's tactile and a bit thrilling. Suits couples, small families (kids 8+), and anyone who values a guide with actual roots in the place. The private vehicle and hotel door-to-door collection saves time and hassle.
Lunch isn't covered, so budget and find your own spot midday. The hawk experience hinges on decent weather; high wind or rain and you may pivot to the owl alternative or rebook. Walking tour assumes decent fitness (Bath's centre is hilly in patches), and children under 8 can't fly the hawk — they're along for the ride. Maximum four people keeps it cosy but also pricier per head than a big group tour. The falconry venue is small and quiet, which is lovely until you realise peak summer crowds or school holidays might affect availability.
Bring trainers with grip, a light waterproof, sun hat in summer. Wear layers. The walking section is roughly two hours; the hawk flying is an hour-plus of standing outdoors. Gratuities aren't included, so budget for your guide. Transport, the local guide, private walk, and hawk experience are all in the price.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.