Falcons return to Stonehenge in revival of Victorian tradition

English Heritage to hold socially-distanced displays over Bank Holiday weekend, writes Peter Stubley

A peregrine falcon flies at Stonehenge in Wiltshire. (PA)

Falcons will return to Stonehenge for a public display this Bank Holiday after an absence of nearly 100 years.

During the Victorian era the prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire was a popular backdrop for hunting with birds of prey.

It was a particular favourite of the aristocracy, who spearheaded a resurgence of the traditional sport of the nobility and established the Old Hawking Club in 1864.

Club records dating back to 1872 reveal that one outing by the assembled lords and earls deployed falcons named “Duck Killer”, “The Queen” and “Vampire”.

However the group was effectively forced to move away in the early 20th century after the army began using the area for military exercises and artillery firing.

That was until English Heritage decided to bring Victorian falconry back to Stonehenge with three days of displays for visitors from Saturday to Monday.

It is one of the charity’s first special events since the end of lockdown.

“Falconry lends itself really well to social distancing, as the whole sky is the stage,” said Jenny Davies, head of historic properties at English Heritage.

“We are delighted to bring back falconry to Stonehenge for this special bank holiday event, and to be able to recreate yet another element of Stonehenge’s fascinating and eclectic recent history.”

Similar falconry displays will take place at Kenilworth Castle, Dover Castle, Whitby Abbey, Brodsworth Hall and Eltham Palace over the next two months.

Additional reporting by Press Association