The Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre

What do we do?

The sanctuary is primarily a centre which cares for British Wildlife and aims to return rehabilitated animals to the wild. We open our doors to the public at certain times of the year.

Our activities and facilities include; animal feeding, pony rides, arts & crafts, a play area, a tearoom, trampolines, a gift shop and toy tractors.

CHILDREN'S PARTIES

We provide 3 types of parties:-

1) Our Unique Birthday Experience. This is a unique opportunity for the birthday child to spend a whole day as an animal carer, meeting and caring for an array of British wildlife.

2) Six different themed group parties, all of which include; themed activities, 45 minutes of food and fun in our party room, themed tableware and partybags. a free return pass for the birthday child and a whole host of optional extras.

3) Our Wild Things Roadshow. An off-site party where we will bring a selection of our animals to your party venue and we can also include animal face painting.

See more details later...

When do we do it?

Opening Times (2010):

Easter holidays - Friday 2nd April – Sunday 11th April

May Bank Holiday weekends - Saturday, Sunday & Monday.

May, June & September - Saturdays only

Summer school holidays - Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday

The Sanctuary will thereafter be closed for the winter at the end of September.

CHILDREN'S PARTIES

We are now taking bookings for childrens' parties for our 2010 season and can host parties until Saturday 12th December.

We do not host parties on Sundays. However, we can offer mid-week parties for a minimum of 15 children to be held after school. The centre will be exclusively yours for your party on the days we are closed to the public.

Where do we do it?

The Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre is located in the village of Ulgham, 3 miles north of Morpeth on the B1337. It is signed from the village and on the coastal route (A1068).

But remember we can also bring a party to you (within a 40 mile radius of the centre).

General Information

1) Our Unique Birthday Experience

We are offering young people a rare birthday treat to spend time, up close, to many species of British wildlife and other more exotic animals and become a real animal carer for the day!

The birthday child will spend the day working alongside the owner and main animal carer at The Sanctuary and see what the it is like “behind the scenes” at an animal sanctuary.

Activities will include feeding all the wildlife and farm animals, handling some of our more exotic animals, mucking out stables, grooming the ponies & donkeys and walking our goats back into their stalls for the night.

2) Themed Parties. These all include; themed activities, 45 minutes of food and fun in our party room, themed tableware and party bags, time in the sanctuary, use of play areas and pedal tractors and a free return pass for the birthday child. Choose from:-

Pony. Have a pony ride in the paddock & meet and feed the ponies and donkeys

Jungle. Meet and handle Zeus the Snake, see Giant African Millipedes and play celebrity type games with maggots & cockroaches!

Go Wild. The birthday child meets a barn owl or a hedgehog and then takes part in a Wildlife Treasure Trail!

Farm Fun. The children get to feed the goats, sheep, hens, ducks, donkeys, and pigs and then take the goats and sheep for a walk.

Spiderman Special. Meet our Chilean Rose Tarantula and have your face painted and become Spiderman (or Spiderwoman).

Pamper Princess. On arrival the little princesses can enjoy a choice of hair-braiding, beading and colouring, make-up or glamorous nail art. While the princesses await their appointment with the beautician, they can amuse themselves in our play area, or if they wish stay indoors and make themselves a pretty princess beaded bracelet. Once they have been beautified, they will then enjoy a fruit cocktail drink, a birthday meal and a wicked chocolate fountain!

OPTIONAL EXTRAS INCLUDE; pony rides, face painting, a birthday cake, arts & crafts or party games (at an additional cost).

3) The Wild Things Roadshow. An off-site party where we visit children's parties at venues outside of our own premises. We will come to your party, bringing along some of our animals, usually an owl, hedgehog and snake and give your party guests the opportunity of getting up close and personal with these wild animals. We can also offer animal face painting too!

Note - party assistants are CRB cleared and first aid trained. The Sanctuary has Public liability insurance in place.

When are you available for parties?

We are now taking bookings for childrens' parties for our 2010 season and can host parties until Saturday 12th December.

We do not host parties on Sundays. However, we can offer mid-week parties for a minimum of 15 children to be held after school. The centre will be exclusively yours for your party on the days we are closed to the public.

How long does it last?

The Unique Birthday Experience lasts all day.

The Themed Parties last 2 hours

The Wild Things Roadshow lasts 1.5 hours.

How old do i have to be?

3 or over for themed parties, even toddlers will love to feed the farm animals!

For the Unique Birthday Experience children must be aged 9 – 15.

What venues do you use?

The Santuary or a venue of your choice within a 40 mile radius of the centre.

How Much does it cost?

The Unique Birthday Experience costs £70 for the day.

The Themed Parties cost between £8.99 & £10.50 per child, depending upon the theme. Please note that this price includes free access for 1 adult per party guest and 2 free adults for the birthday girl or boy.

For an off site party the cost will be £95.

How can i pay?

A 50% deposit is required on booking (by cash, cheque or card), with the balance payable on the day of the party.

1. Your guests may want to wear warm outdoor clothing if you want them to play outdoors and visit the animals.
2. For £10.00 we can provide a picnic lunch, ‘goody bag’ with some mementoes of the day and a Certificate of Achievement in the Unique Birthday Experience.
3. Let us make arranging the party even easier for you by ordering one of our special themed birthday cakes (price £14).
4. Our optional extras at only £2.00 per child can help to make the party extra special.