ALL ABOUT TORTOISES & TERRAPINS DAY: Saturday 6th June

Thank you for booking your visit to ALL ABOUT TORTOISES & TERRAPINS DAY at Raystede Saturday 6th June – please read the following information:-

We’re excited to welcome you to our first ever All About Tortoises and Terrapins Day — a full day dedicated to these fascinating, yet complex animals.

Whether you already own a tortoise or terrapin, or you’re simply an enthusiast wanting to learn more, you’ll be able to pick up ideas and expert advice to help these animals live happy and healthy lives. The event runs from 10am to 4pm, with expert talks at 11am and 2pm (spaces for the talks are limited, with sign‑up available on the day).

There will also be a range of activities, information, and advice available throughout the day for tortoise and terrapin enthusiasts of all ages.

The Government has applied mandatory housing measures across the whole of England. This means that our Aviaries and fowl areas are closed to the public until the restrictions are lifted. We do NOT have this virus at Raystede but we are required to put in place a range of measures to protect our birds. Birds are not allowed access to open or standing water and our geese have been removed from the lake and ponds and are now in enclosures that will prevent them from coming into contact with wild birds.

Good news - the terrapin sanctuary and dog walk have now reopened, and we welcome visitors to enjoy the rest of the beautiful site.

Getting to Raystede

Raystede is located on the B2192, between Ringmer and Halland, opposite the East Sussex Gliding Club.

Your visit

You can arrive any time between 10am and 3.30pm and stay until we close at 4pm.

On arrival, please check in with our Welcome Team volunteers - simply give them your surname and they will book you in. This is to limit numbers for the welfare of our animals and for a better visitor experience.

Entry is free but, as a charity, we would be very grateful if you would consider making a donation to help us continue caring for all the animals at Raystede.

There is a free guided tour every day at 11.30am – meet at Visitor Information. (subject to adverse weather).

Please cancel your ticket if you cannot make it to allow others to take your place. You can do this from your booking confirmation email.

To ensure the safety of visitors and our animals, please leave scooters and children's bikes in your car and no ball games please. Please do not climb on or over the gates, walls and fences. Many of the animals in our enclosures are nervous, big and easily frightened.

Seeing the animals and birds at Raystede

We care for a wide range of animals and birds at Raystede, all of whom are encouraged to behave naturally. Depending on the season and weather they may choose to be outside or they might retreat inside. No day is the same! On any given day we cannot guarantee any of our animals will be out and about.

Raystede is an animal welfare charity and our teams are working hard behind the scenes to help extremely anxious animals get to a stage where they can trust people again and be happily rehomed - these are the animals you won't see.

If you are interested in adopting, complete an online application form or call 01825 840252 to arrange assistance.

Project Terrapin is our sanctuary for injured and unwanted terrapins, located in the lakes area. During warmer weather you will be able to see the terrapins swimming and basking and learn more about these creatures. There is also a dog walk through this area around the top of our site. The paths alongside the lake past the chickens and other fowl are closed due to the current UK-wide Avian Influenza Protection Zone.

Our Kennels and Cattery are not open to visitors as many of the dogs and cats are nervous.

Raystede is dog-friendly.

Dogs on short leads are welcome in the café and shops and there are dog walks around the site.

Dogs are not permitted in the Small Animals and Rabbitry areas or the paths past the chickens and other fowl.

Food and drink

Café Raystede is open from 10am – 3.45pm for breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks. All dietary requirements are catered for.

We ask that you do not bring a picnic.

Shopping

Our Raystede Charity Shop and Pet Goods Shop are both open from 10am – all proceeds go directly towards animal care.

We are grateful for donated goods to sell in our shops and donations of pet goods, including unopened pet food sealed in its original packaging. Please bring donations of good quality, clean, complete, sellable items any day between 10am and 3pm and check in with the Welcome Team on arrival.

Further information

Please visit our website www.raystede.org, call us on 01825 840252 or email [email protected]

Thank you for visiting and supporting Raystede.

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Host or Publisher Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare