FAMILIES have been enjoying following The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail at Birdworld this summer.

The Farnham attraction is running the trail until September 1 allowing children and adults the chance to experience the nostalgia of this classic story in a unique way.

I took my six-year-old son and nephew to Birdworld for the day, to find out what it has to offer and to take part in the trail.

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It is just a 30-minute drive from Basingstoke, making it a great place to visit for a day out with children without having to spend hours in the car.

On arrival, we were excited to discover that Birdworld had arranged a special treat for us in one of the enclosures.

My son and his cousin were delighted to feed the birds with a selection of dried worms and grasshoppers before we made our way around the rest of the park, following a map given to us at the entrance.

Birdworld is home to more than 1,200 birds and a variety of animals in a 26-acres of park. 

The park was bigger than I expected and was beautifully landscaped with trees, flowers and shrubs, and lots of little pathways, which the kids loved.

There is also plenty of open green space with benches and picnic tables, including a large indoor picnic area with seating – something many attractions fail to provide unless you want to pay to eat in a café.

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We enjoyed seeing all the different types of birds, including my favourite – the penguins – who were very entertaining to watch as they dipped and dived in their pool and waddled outside on their beach.

The park has plenty of interesting details on signs outside the aviaries telling you about the birds, including those that are sadly under threat of extinction.

However, Birdworld is playing its part in conservation efforts, including the additions to the Humboldt Penguin and Inca Tern families within the park this year.

James Robson, general manager at Birdworld, said the growth of the bird families in the park is “hugely rewarding” and “reflects the dedication and hard work of the teams on the ground in the park”.

Conservation is at the heart of the park’s offering, and visitors can learn more about how it is helping to preserve the world’s bird population through its breeding and conservation projects.

We reached the far end of the park in time for lunch, after which the children enjoyed playing in the parks before heading to the farm, where there were a variety of animals including chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and pigs.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail added an element of interest on the way around and the giant picnic basket and butterfly wings at the end were a great photo opportunity.

However, Birdworld already has plenty to offer without the trail, and the children seemed much more interested in looking at the birds and animals.

James said the events so far in 2023 have proved “hugely popular” with visitors and it plans to continue this for the rest of the year, with seasonal Halloween and Christmas events planned.

“As custodians of many important bird species, it’s key that we continue to host events that offer something for everyone, to attract new visitors and provide educational experiences for all,” he said.

After lunch, we returned to look at some of the birds we missed during the morning, including the beautiful pink flamingos and brightly coloured parrots, who were squawking loudly when we passed their aviary.

Some of the bird enclosures are walk-through with the birds flying all around as you pass. They have been carefully designed to replicate the birds’ natural environment, which makes for a more enjoyable experience watching them in a more natural habitat.

The park also offers a jam-packed programme of daily talks and live animal feeds, giving visitors the chance to learn more about the animals and their habitats.

We sheltered in one of two cafes at the park during a rain shower in the afternoon, before visiting the undercover Temperate House.

After four hours of fun, we headed home.

Birdworld has a host of other family-fun planned for the rest of the year, including a Halloween pumpkin harvest from October 21 to 29 and Santa and the Polar Explorers who will make a festive appearance in December.

Admission to all events in 2023 is included in the usual ticket price and pre-booking is recommended. Tickets are available to pre-book via birdworld.co.uk/upcoming-events.