Welcome to Thorp Perrow
Come and take a stroll in the Arboretum, watch your children let off steam in the adventure playground, enjoy the wonderful Bird of Prey displays, or hand feed the wallabies in the Mammal Centre. We have a lot to offer the whole family – keep your eyes peeled for our fun seasonal trails, family event days, open-air concerts, workshops, lunches, and guided tours.
Thorp Perrow is the home of one of the UK’s finest collections of trees, including five National Plant Collections, and a leading centre for raptor conservation.
2025 Workshops
View all our 2025 workshops by clicking the link below.
What’s on?
Rose Pruning
22nd January: 10am – 1pm
Learn all about the theory and techniques of rose pruning in this hands-on workshop with our Curator, Faith Douglas. Faith will lead you through the principles of why pruning is essential for healthy growth before demonstrating practical applications on specimens in the Arboretum.
Snowdrop Kokedama Workshop
13th February: 10am – 12noon
Join our Curator, Faith Douglas, as she leads you in this workshop to create your own gorgeous Snowdrop Kokedama. Kokedama is a ball of soil, covered in moss and planted. This practice come from Japan and allows plants to grow without pots.
A Kokedama can be hung from above, or placed in small dishes.
All materials will be provided.
Spring Hare Fabric Sculpting
6th March: 10am – 1pm
Join artist and creative tutor, Abigail Lagden, to discover the delights of fabric sculpting. This rather fun and messy craft involves working with fabrics and a fabric hardener to create pieces which are full of intriguing texture and depth.
Abigail has a fascination of all things mythical and this certainly creeps out in most of her pieces, bringing a sense of fantasy and fun which also spills into her workshops.
Spring Collaging with James Owen Thomas
27 March: 10am – 1pm
In this first of two workshops, James will show you various methods of creating collages with thrown-away items such as old tickets, scratch cards, leaflets and fabrics. You’ll take home you own piece of recycled environmental art. James creates environmental art out of recycled materials.
He has the unique ability to ‘create order out of disorder’ by using discarded everyday rubbish to create stunning images of landscapes, architecture and nature.
Seasonal Tour & Lunch in the Hall
30th April: 12noon – 4pm
Join Faith Douglas, our Curator, as she shares her passion for the season on a walk-and-talk around the Arboretum.
Faith will show you the best of the spring blossom, bluebell and daffodil collections and share some fascinating facts and care tips along the way.
Afterwards, you’re invited to enjoy a light 2-course lunch with a glass of fizz, all served in the dining room of the Hall.
An Introduction to Beekeeping 2 Day Course
2nd & 3rd May: 10am – 3pm
Join our two beekeeping experts, Keith Bartlem and Phil Braithwaite for an introduction to keeping honeybees.
Held over two days, the practical sessions will include opening a hive of honeybees, handling, learn to recognise workers, drones and the Queen, building frames and using beekeeping tools.
Topics include the natural history of bees, history of beekeeping, types of hive in use today, beekeeping equipment, beehive management, colony management throughout the year, and the beekeeping community.
How to find us
No access to Arboretum from Firby Road (past Bedale Leisure Centre), use sat nav postcode DL8 2PS.
From Bedale: follow signposts towards Masham (B6268), ignore signs for Thorp Perrow along Firby Road (also signposted Leisure Centre), and continue for approx 1 mile. Turn left following signs for Snape and the entrance to the Arboretum is approx 1/4 mile on the left.
Admission Prices
Pre book your tickets online to get the best price.
Booking online is subject to a booking fee charge from our service provider, but we have discounted our online tickets to ensure you no worse off if you book online – and in fact in most cases you are better off pre-booking.
Tickets can be purchased on the gate, but are subject to capacity and we strongly advise you pre book prior to your visit.
Credit: Wendy Pain
Ticket Type |
Online |
On the Door |
Office |
Adult | £14.75 | £15.75 | |
Concession | £13.75 | £14.75 | |
Child (4-16 years) | £9.75 | £10.75 | |
2 + 2 | £47.25 | £49.25 | |
2 + 3 | £56.50 | £58.50 | |
Group Adult (pre-booked groups of 10+ visitors) | N/A | N/A | £11.97 |
Group Child (pre-booked groups of 10+ visitors) | N/A | N/A | £7.72 |
Adult Season Ticket | £50.50 | £52.50 | |
Child Season Ticket | £29.50 | £31.50 | |
Family Season Ticket (1 Adult) | £94.50 | N/A | |
Family Season Ticket (2 Adults) | £147.00 | N/A |
Please contact the office for further information on group and school bookings or venue hire, 01677 425 323.
Season tickets are valid for a year from the date of purchase and offer fantastic value for money! Please ask us about upgrading during your visit.
Occasionally we do need to close the Arboretum at short notice due to weather warnings. Please check our social media for updates before you travel.
Opening Times
Thorp Perrow
Arboretum: 10:00 – 17:00
Tearoom: 10:00 – 16:00
Garden Centre: 10:00 – 17:00
Please note: during adverse weather conditions, these times may change, please check our social media for updates.
Bird of Prey Display Times
Meet the Owls: 11:30am
Bird of Prey Flying Display: 1:30pm
Bird of Prey Flying Display: 3:30pm
Please note: during the winter months, display times vary and we may only have 1 per day. Please ask on arrival or call the admission staff on 01677 427 203.
Dogs at Thorp Perrow
Thorp Perrow welcomes dogs, providing they are kept on a lead at all times.
Dogs are not permitted inside the Tearoom (but can join you in the outdoor seating areas), the children’s play area, or the Bird of Prey and Mammal Centre. Please use the areas provided to secure your furry friend whilst you visit these facilities.
Mobility Scooter
Please contact our tearoom to pre-book and hire our mobility scooter: 01677 427 203
Contact Numbers
Office / General Enquiries / Group Bookings / Venue Hire: 01677 425323
Tearoom / Admission: 01677 427203
Bird of Prey: 01677 427755