Barn owl chicks take flight at The Old Vicarage

Posted: 12/09/2025

We’re absolutely delighted to share some wonderful news from our corner of Swaledale. For the second year running, barn owls have successfully bred in the Old Brewery Barn here at The Old Vicarage. This summer, three healthy chicks fledged and can now be spotted swooping gracefully over the surrounding pastures as they learn the tricks and trade of night hunting.

The Old Brewery Barn is a traditional stone building on our land that we recently restored, and it fills us with joy to see it being put to such good use by these magnificent birds. To us, it’s a reminder of how important it is to care for our heritage buildings – not only for people to enjoy, but also for the wildlife that makes this place so special.

At The Old Vicarage, we’re committed to managing the land in a way that supports and encourages biodiversity. From planting thousands of trees and hedges to regenerating meadows with native wildflowers, every step we take is designed to create more habitat for birds, mammals and pollinators. It means that owls, partridges, hares, deer and countless songbirds can thrive alongside our guests, making this a true haven for both wildlife and people.

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