A key visitor attraction in the Cotswolds has been sold by leading leisure property advisor GVA Humberts Leisure.
Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water in the heart of the Cotswolds has been acquired by Livingstone Leisure, after GVA Humberts Leisure approached industry veteran Ian Cunningham and his business partner Michael Enright.
Sold for an undisclosed sum, Birdland is a popular tourist attraction with comprehensive facilities that is home to over 500 exotic birds, more than 150 species and the UK’s only colony of king penguins.
The orchestrator of the deal, Richard Baldwin, associate at GVA Humberts Leisure’s Leeds office, said: “There are very few other zoos in the UK that solely house and focus on birds, however as part of its proactive educational programme a substantial inventory of livestock is also housed at Birdland.”
“The park represented a unique opportunity to invest in what is a well- established, renowned and popular day visitor attraction in a beautiful location adjacent to the River Windrush. We are delighted to have introduced Ian to the shareholders and are confident that under Livingstone’s ownership the attraction will continue to flourish.”
Originally established by Len Hill in 1957 on an alternative site in the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water, Birdland was moved to its present location on the old Trout Farm in 1989 and was bought by Eddie and Val Trigg in 1994. Under their ownership the attraction has evolved and developed into one of the key tourist attractions of the town.
The Park covers 13.6 hectares, boasts numerous aviaries, enclosures, birdhouses and attractions, a café, gift shop, six-bedroom house and a one-bedroom flat.
