Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

We had a brilliant 4 days at Aigas Field Centre in September. We had booked via the tailormade option, and enjoyed having some time to ourselves to explore the estate and spend hours in the hides (the Pinewood was particularly good for red squirrels, and we took some great photos) but also had excellent safaris with Aigas's rangers. We went in search of raft spiders and feral goats on one trip, with great photographic opportunities at a waterfall with plenty of fungi and wood ant nests to macro, and another afternoon did a slow walk around the Aigas lake, looking at insects and fungi. The rangers' knowledge and enthusiasm was excellent and made our stay very enjoyable. Our thanks also to Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye, for some lovely rhino-related conversations and great care with my complicated dietary restrictions. The rooms are simple but exactly what's needed - warm, clean and comfortable - after long days out in search of otters and pine martens. We'll visit again, I am sure.
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CathyRhino

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CathyRhino

We had a brilliant 4 days at Aigas Field Centre in September. We had booked via the tailormade option, and enjoyed having some time to ourselves to explore the estate and spend hours in the hides (the Pinewood was particularly good for red squirrels, and we took some great photos) but also had excellent safaris with Aigas's rangers. We went in search of raft spiders and feral goats on one trip, with great photographic opportunities at a waterfall with plenty of fungi and wood ant nests to macro, and another afternoon did a slow walk around the Aigas lake, looking at insects and fungi. The rangers' knowledge and enthusiasm was excellent and made our stay very enjoyable. Our thanks also to Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye, for some lovely rhino-related conversations and great care with my complicated dietary restrictions. The rooms are simple but exactly what's needed - warm, clean and comfortable - after long days out in search of otters and pine martens. We'll visit again, I am sure.
Delicious cuisine, very comfortable accommodation and fascinating daily excursions combine to make the Aigas experience exceptional and unique.
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Ken Fisher

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Ken Fisher

Delicious cuisine, very comfortable accommodation and fascinating daily excursions combine to make the Aigas experience exceptional and unique.
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye must be congratulated on creating this unique brand of comfort and wildlife in such a glorious setting. From the moment we arrived and opened the impressive front door to find a sitting room with a blazing fire, no immediate reception staff but guests quietly chatting in the sitting room we realised just how special this is. Almost everyone we met had stayed before, which tells its own tale. Tea arrived quickly, with a warm formal welcome giving us an overwhelming feeling of comfort and anticipation. Our lodge was warm too, all facilities present, surrounded by gardens, huge trees, and at night in October the sound of close-by roaring red deer stags. There were three week-long courses running at once, and for breakfast and supper all of them intermingled. This also works brilliantly as everyone swaps experiences. The food is fantastic, high quality, local, varied. The rangers are outstanding and the planning of the tours impeccable and well-varied according to weather conditions. Not all the set-pieces worked, we failed to see otters and some groups missed out on dolphins. That's wildlife, and this isn't in any sense a zoo. Sightings have to be worked for, and every effort is made to find the desired species. The pine martens performed magnificently. Sheer attention to detail in all aspects makes for a brilliant overall experience and we shall be back when we can. In terms of value-for-money it is just amazing. It is not usually available to the general public on a day basis but book on one of the courses for an unforgettable experience.
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Daphne W

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Daphne W

Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye must be congratulated on creating this unique brand of comfort and wildlife in such a glorious setting. From the moment we arrived and opened the impressive front door to find a sitting room with a blazing fire, no immediate reception staff but guests quietly chatting in the sitting room we realised just how special this is. Almost everyone we met had stayed before, which tells its own tale. Tea arrived quickly, with a warm formal welcome giving us an overwhelming feeling of comfort and anticipation. Our lodge was warm too, all facilities present, surrounded by gardens, huge trees, and at night in October the sound of close-by roaring red deer stags. There were three week-long courses running at once, and for breakfast and supper all of them intermingled. This also works brilliantly as everyone swaps experiences. The food is fantastic, high quality, local, varied. The rangers are outstanding and the planning of the tours impeccable and well-varied according to weather conditions. Not all the set-pieces worked, we failed to see otters and some groups missed out on dolphins. That's wildlife, and this isn't in any sense a zoo. Sightings have to be worked for, and every effort is made to find the desired species. The pine martens performed magnificently. Sheer attention to detail in all aspects makes for a brilliant overall experience and we shall be back when we can. In terms of value-for-money it is just amazing. It is not usually available to the general public on a day basis but book on one of the courses for an unforgettable experience.