30 of the Best Zoos in the UK

The boys are real animal lovers and love a trip to the zoo and we are so lucky to have so many amazing zoos in the UK. Over the years we have been to a fair few. Although I have asked other parents to share their experiences too so to give you a more comprehensive list. Giving you the 30 best zoos in the UK. Do let me know if you think there are others that should be included in the comments below. 

30 of the Best Zoos in the UK

Many of the zoos mentioned in this post not only have a wide range of animals. But they also offer a lot of other popular attractions. Such as mini trains, dinosaur walk-throughs, animal feeding, play areas, a botanical garden and in one case theme park rides!

ZSL London Zoo

London Zoo is one of the oldest zoos featured in this guide. It is a popular zoo and can get busy, but it is also so large that you do not really notice the crowds. In fact, you are going to struggle to fit it all in, in one day. This does mean that the enclosures are big, with many of them having a walk-through element. 

We particularly like the reptile house, partly because we are big Harry Potter fans. Inside it’s a large space with Victorian railings and big windows. The zoo also has an aquarium so there is plenty to see if the good old British weather doesn’t behave. Just like many zoos, ZSL London Zoo has a large conservation focus. All the enclosures are set up for the animals which is so important and something I look for specifically when considering if we will return somewhere. The Gorilla enclosure is a great example of this. There is a large outside area surrounded by water with plenty of places to climb. There is also a large inside space with plenty of straw with the windows covered in stickers to not invade their privacy too much.

It is probably the most educational zoo we have ever visited. With lots of interactive displays. The zoo has plenty of great options for food if you do not bring a picnic and play areas throughout. You can read more about our visit to London Zoo. 

More Info

• Address – ZSL London Zoo, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY
• Ticket Prices – You can book tickets online in advance, it is also possible to buy a flexible ticket which needs to be used within 12 months of purchase. Prices vary depending on the season, at peak season with gift aid an adult ticket costs £33 or £30 without, for children ages 3-15 £21.45/£19.50 with children aged 2 and under free. Discounts are available with saver tickets. 
• Opening Times – Open every day apart from Christmas day, the zoo opens at 10 am, and the last admission is an hour before closing. Closing time varies depending on the time of year during the Summer months it is 6 pm. 
• https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

Marwell

Marwell Zoo is our absolute favourite and the zoo that we visit the most. We love everything about it. They have a brilliant giraffe enclosure where you can see them inside. We also really like the sumatran tigers, snow leopards and white rhinos. There are several different adventure playgrounds areas across the zoo designed for different aged children which I think is a nice touch.

Make sure you do not miss out on the tropical house. As it has a very friendly sloth, which for the last few visits we have been able to get up close to. They are one of our favourite animals so it is very special. There is also a land train, their famous Bricosaurus events which run from May through to September. And several walk-through enclosures with various birds, wallabies and lemurs. We also recommend trying out the ice cream. Find out more details in our Marwell Zoo Complete Guide blog post. 

More Info

• Address – Marwell Wildlife, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1JH
• Ticket Prices – free parking. You can buy tickets with or without gift aid. They do need to be brought online in advance. An adult ticket with gift aid is £25.00, without £22.48. Children from age 2 to 16 are £21.00/£18.88. Under 2s are free.
• Opening Times – Open 363 days a year, only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Open 10 am to 5 pm each day during the summer months. The last entry is 90 minutes before closing. 
• https://www.marwell.org.uk/

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

A zoo which we use to visit before we had kids. Large enclosures allow you to get us close to many of the larger animals. Sadly they have lost their elephant Dutchess but there are still plenty of different types of animals to see. Including giraffes, gorillas, rhinos, red pandas and cheetahs. The crocodiles were a big hit with the boys. 

There are several inside areas and the keeper talks are very good. Make sure you pick up details of these when you enter. There are also staff on hand throughout the zoo to answer any questions you have. There is also a little train and a great play area to burn off some steam. Although not the largest zoo it is by far the best zoo we have visited in Devon. Read more about our visit – 10 reasons to visit Paignton Zoo.

More Info

• Address – Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU
• Ticket Prices – It is advisable to book online to get the best price but also to secure the date that you want to visit. These prices are the online prices. Adults £20.45/18.55, children £15.30/£13.90 (under 3s free) with gift aid. They also offer a family ticket for two adults and two children for £64.35/£58.50. Prices are reduced slightly without gift aid.
• Opening Times – Open 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day. Opens at 10 am and either shuts at 4.30 pm or 5 pm depending on the time of year.
• https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

West Midlands Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park is a fantastic day out for the whole family, there is so much more to it than just the animals although they are the main appeal. There are two ways to experience the animals, either on the drive-through safari where you can buy food to feed some of the animals from the comfort of your car. Don’t worry, there are no monkeys to pinch your windscreen wipers or rip your wing mirrors off! Or on foot in the traditional zoo area of the park

In the drive-through safari, you can see rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, cheetahs, tigers, lions, camels, elephants and more. If you don’t want to drive yourself through, then you can book a space on the Safari Bus (£7 per person). The walk-through safari allows you to see bats, penguins, lorikeets, red pandas, sea lions, reptiles, and creepy crawlies. For all the dinosaur lovers, there is the Land of the Living Dinosaurs, and the Ice Age exhibits where you can stroll amongst the animatronic creatures.

If you have thrill-seekers in your household, then the Adventure Theme Park is an essential area to visit there is something for everyone from the carousel to the log flume. For younger visitors, the Boj Giggly Park is an exciting multi-sensory play area with plenty of benches for the grown-ups to relax.

We love visiting West Midlands Safari Park as it is easy to get around with a wheelchair or pushchair, there is plenty of disabled parking, plenty of disabled toilets and even a changing places toilet. You can save money by using Tesco Clubcard Vouchers to pay for your entry.  If you are eating there, you have lots of choices, bring your own picnic or you can buy meals, snacks, drinks, and ice creams on site.

More Info

• Review provided by Nikki from Unicorn Dinosaurs & Me
• Address – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF 
• Ticket Prices – Adults £25, children (3-15 years) £20 and under 3s free. Rides in the Adventure Theme Park at an additional cost with wrist bands costing £15 for adults and £13 for children. Safari bus £7 per person. Free parking and free return visit, subject to date restrictions. 
• Opening Times – Opening times vary throughout the year. There is an interactive calendar on their website. The summer season runs from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
• https://www.wmsp.co.uk/

Noahs Ark Zoo Farm

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is located just a short distance from Bristol city centre and had humble beginnings as a farm park, set up by former dairy farmers Anthony and Christina Bush. It opened as a farm visitor centre in 1999 and quickly became a great day out for visitors. Today it has significantly grown and is one of the most popular award-winning zoos in Somerset.

Noah’s Ark has a large animal collection of over one hundred species including African elephants, giraffes, lions and rhinos (interestingly rhinos were the first large animals to find their way to Noah’s Ark) and the zoo puts sustainability and conservation at its very core. They have several species as part of their European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and work with zoos and animal parks across Europe to breed and protect endangered species. The elephant enclosure is the largest elephant enclosure in not just the UK, but in Northern Europe.

Education is a key parameter when visiting Noah’s Ark, you can hear from the keepers who talk passionately about the animals during the feeding sessions as well as venture through the story of Noah’s Ark which is inspired by the biblical account of Noah and his ark of animals. You can even book a zoo experience and have the chance to get up close and feed these amazing animals! I got to feed a baby giraffe which to this day is still one of my favourite experiences! 

More Info

• Review by Kim from Life can be Toff
• Address – Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG
• Ticket Prices – Adult tickets cost £20.85, children £16.75 with children under 2 being free
• Opening Times – Opening times vary depending on the season, between February and November it is open from 10.30 am to 5 pm, in January and December it closes at 4 pm. They are open on bank holidays. 
• https://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/

Chester Zoo

More Info

• Review provided by Natalie from Meme and Harri
• Address – Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1EU
• Ticket Prices – Buy tickets online for a discount of 20% when buying three or more tickets. It is possible to buy tickets up to 9.30 am on the day of arrival to take advantage of this offer. Adult entrance is £29.08, children £22.72 and under 2s are free. Includes free onsite parking
• Opening Times – They open at 10 am in the morning, closing time is dependent on the time of year and ranges from 6 pm to 3.30 pm.
• https://www.chesterzoo.org/

Longleat Safari Park

Longleat holds so many special memories for me, from the first time I visited as a child, to coming back years later with my son. The magic of Longleat is that you get to drive through the safari and see the animals roam in their natural habitat as much as possible. On our first visit, we were able to feed the giraffes which was such an incredible experience.

There’s also the main square which has so much for the whole family to enjoy including the bat cave, the lorikeets, the hedge maze and the family farmyard. We also loved the Jungle Cruise where you can feed the sea lions off the side of the boat and pass by the gorilla colony. We even got to see a hippo emerge from the water! A Christmas visit is a must too as you board the train to visit Santa in Lapland and take in the wonder of the Festival of Light. 

More Info

• Review by Rowena at My Balancing Act.
• Address – Longleat Safari Park, Warminster BA12 7NW
• Ticket Prices – Prices vary depending on peak/off-peak times. Adult tickets during peak times cost £36.95, children £27.70. Children ages 2 and under are free. You can pay £8 per person to book the safari bus over driving through the safari although tickets are allocated on a first come first served basis. 
• Opening Times – Vary throughout the year, peak times are 10 am to 6 pm and off-peak 10 am to 5 pm. Please note that the opening times for special events are different and you should check the interactive calendar on their website. 
• https://www.longleat.co.uk/

Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo

Folly Farm began, as the name suggests, as just a farm but now it is so much more with lots to do during your visit. This award-winning attraction has over 750 animals at its zoo, including a Pride of Pembrokeshire Lion Enclosure, Rhinos at Kifaru Reserve and Wild Dogs in Asian Adventure. Be sure to visit Giraffe heights and Penguin Coast too.

Folly Farm is proud a member of BIAZA and EAZA and is passionate about protecting animals from becoming extinct and raising money to help keep animals in the wild. During your visit, you can also get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in the Jolly Barn, such as goats, sheep, pigs and donkeys. In addition to the animals, you get a lot of fun included in the price of your ticket including eight adventure play areas, cars, sand and diggers.

For an additional cost (tokens are available to buy 50p each) there is a vintage fairground and arcade and electric go-karts at Follystone Racetrack. There are also plenty of food and drink outlets, baby change facilities and a gift shop. Overall, there are 120 acres of fun so there really is something for everyone whatever the weather!

Our top tips for visiting Folly Farm

• Tired legs from walking around? Pop on the Land Train Tractor for a “Farm Safari” Ride. This is so much fun and included in the price of your ticket! During the school holidays, the land train runs every 20 minutes between 11 am – 3 pm.
• Need some quiet time away from the busy park? Take a walk (or tractor ride) to the Nature Trail- a beautiful and peaceful spot away from the crowds.
• Visiting Folly Farm on a budget? Bring your own packed lunch and drinks. Either set kids a budget for the fair or make use of the free attractions (which will fill your day) and indoor and outdoor playgrounds instead

More Info

• Review by Claire from Diary of the Evans-Crittens
• Address – Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA
• Ticket Prices –  Adults are £21.95, children £19.95 with children aged 2 and under free. Parking is free. 
• Opening Times – It is closed from the 19th of December until the 8th of January. Opening times vary depending on the season. During Spring and Summer, it is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day, in Autumn 10 am to 4 pm every day and during th Winter months, it is only open at the weekends.
• https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/

Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo is one of the few places that you can actually get up close with elephants, it is a huge zoo and will take you the entire day to get around, and even then you’ll probably only just get round in that time.  

We have been visiting Colchester Zoo since the children were small, I used to live about 20 minutes away from the zoo, so it’s been in my life for a very long time.  The zoo is set on 60 acres of land and has over 270 species for you to meet, as well as the animals, they have various soft play areas for the children to enjoy, and a great road train to give you an overview of the entire place. 

They have some amazing walkthrough areas, one of my favourites is the butterflies, they literally come along and land on you! We also love the Sun Bears Art enclosure, where you can catch a glimpse of the bears in beautiful surroundings. One thing to note is that they no longer give you a printed map, so if you prefer to follow a map I would recommend you download and print one at home before you visit.

More Info

• Review by Mandi from East Anglia Family Fun
• Address – Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, CO3 0SL
• Ticket Prices – The cheapest tickets are those brought online in advance and they give you a 15% discount on, on the day tickets. On the gate prices cost £26.99, children ages 3-15 cost £18.99 under 3s are free. They also offer an open date ticket which is valid for a year. The zoo also accepts Tesco Partner Reward Codes
• Opening Times – They are open every day apart from Christmas Day, from 9.30 am in the morning. Closing times are dependent on the season (daylight) and vary from 5.30 pm to 3.30 pm. It is best to check their website below before visiting. 
• https://www.colchester-zoo.com/

Africa Alive Zoological Reserve

Africa Alive (recently changed its name to Africa Alive Zoological Reserve) is located in Kessingland, Suffolk and is the sister park to Banham Zoo. They have a stunning Pride of Lions that are amazing to observe, during the storms earlier in the year their enclosure was heavily damaged and they were relocated to Whipsnade Zoo until the repairs were carried out, they have now returned from their little holiday and are back in Suffolk for everyone to visit! 

There is a large Plains of Africa, where you can see various animals interacting and moving freely together, including rhinos, giraffes, zebras and ostriches. There is a lovely farmyard corner, where you can stroke and feed the goats, the land train takes you on a journey across the whole park and is perfect for little legs that don’t want to walk too far! 

They have a brilliant lemur encounter, where you can walk through and get up close to a ring-tailed Lemur, as well as a walk-through area to see the stunning flamingos. Don’t forget to visit Hog Snorts, an interactive habitat for the Red River Hogs and the Sitatunga Antelope.

More Info

• Review by Mandi at Indoor Family Adventures
• Address – Africa Alive Zoological Reserve, Whites Lane, Kessingland, Lowestoft, NR33 7TF
• Ticket Prices – You can opt to buy tickets with or without gift aid, an adult ticket with gift aid is £23 without £21, children ages 3-15 £17/£15 and children aged 2 and under £2/£1.
• Opening Times – The zoo opens at 9.30 am in the morning. Closing time depends on the season and varies between 6 pm and 4 pm. 
• https://www.zsea.org/reserve

Banham Zoological Gardens

Banham Zoo (recently changed its name to Banham Zoological Gardens) is located in Norfolk and is a great day out for the family, it has over 2000 animals for you to see, amazing Birds of Prey displays, animal feeding talks throughout the day, a subtropical walkthrough house called Eureka where you can experience lots of birds and butterflies flying around. 

Penguin Cove is a large enclosure for the colony of penguins that allows you so close to the penguins you can see all their little moves and funny antics. They also have Sealion Bay where you can get up close to the sea lions, and marvel at their swimming ability. A stunning Birds of The World Display, which is a 30-minute display explaining all about the different species and watching many of them in action, some of them flying between the rows of people. 

They have a walk-through lemur encounter, where the lemurs just hop from place to place and sometimes stand right in front of you on the walkway, there is a lovely farm barn where you can handle small animals and feed the goats.  The giraffe enclosure has a platform you can walk to and find yourself taller than the giraffes! 

More Info

• Review by Mandi from Norwich Family Fun
• Address – Banham Zoological Gardens, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norwich, NR16 2HE
• Ticket Prices – You can opt to buy tickets with or without gift aid, an adult ticket with gift aid is £23 without £21, children ages 3-15 £17/£15 and children aged 2 and under £2/£1.
• Opening Times – The zoo opens at 9.30 am in the morning. Closing time depends on the season and varies between 6 pm and 4 pm. 
• https://www.zsea.org/banham

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh zoo is the only zoo in the UK where you can see giant pandas. They have two, Yang Guang and Tian Tian. It’s worth checking with staff if there is a best time to see the panda as we were told lunchtime was best and we did manage to see both of them in the viewing area on our visit. As well as the giant pandas, there are loads of other animals to enjoy too. We particularly enjoyed the penguins, flamingos, koalas and different monkeys.

There are plenty of play areas around the zoo which children love. Edinburgh zoo is in the heart of the city and easy to get to by public transport or car. It’s worth noting that it is built on a hillside so there are steps and some steep slopes. It does mean you get some great views though. They have helpfully created a map of the most accessible route around the zoo if you require it

More Info

• Review by Claire from The Ladybirds Adventures 
• Address – Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS.
• Ticket Prices – Tickets currently need to be booked online and they are considerably cheaper online. Adults cost £21.95 with a gift aid donation or £19.95 without, children under 16 cost £13.95/£12.50 with children under 3 being free. 
• Opening Times – The zoo is open every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It opens at 10 am with closing time varying depending on the season and light. April to September the zoo closes at 6 pm, October to March at 5 pm and from November to February at 4 pm. 
• https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is located in Dunstable and is the UK’s largest zoo set in 600 acres of beautiful parkland on the Chiltern Hills., Home to over 2500 animals it is a whole day adventure for all the family. With the opportunity to explore the area on foot, via their safari train or by driving. You are able to get up close to the animals and learn facts about them as you visit each new area. Pack a picnic, pop on some good footwear and have an amazing day.

More Info

• Review by Sarah from 10 Things to do Blog
• Address – Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2LF
• Ticket Prices – You can book tickets online in advance, it is also possible to buy a flexible ticket which needs to be used within 12 months of purchase. Prices vary depending on the season, at peak season with gift aid an adult ticket costs £33 or £30 without, for children ages 3-15 £21.45/£19.50 with children aged 2 and under being free. Discounts are available with saver tickets. 
• Opening Times – Open every day apart from Christmas day, the zoo opens at 10 am, and the last admission is an hour before closing. Closing time varies depending on the time of year during the Summer months it is 6 pm. 
• https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo

Amazona Zoo

Located on the North Norfolk coast in Cromer is Amazona Zoo, home to over 200 South American birds and animals. Set in 15 acres of secluded grounds and woodlands providing shade and habitats for the animals. A half-day family activity that is a short walk from the town centre and is located next to Cromer PYO and Cromer Football Golf. Take your time learning about the different South American species as well as burning off some energy on the outdoor adventure play park with jumping pillows and a picnic area.

• More Info

• Review by Liam at What the Dad Said
• Address – Amazona Zoo, Hall Road, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9JG
• Ticket Prices – Entrance costs £13.50 for adults, Children £9.50 with under 4s going for free. They also offer a family ticket of two adults and two children for £40. 
• Opening Times – The zoo is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day.
• https://amazonazoo.co.uk/

Newquay Zoo

If you’re in North Cornwall, then a trip to Newquay Zoo is a must – your children will love it. The smaller sister of Paignton Zoo in Devon, but equally as charming, Newquay Zoo covers a 13-acre park and cares for and breeds rare species. You can see over 130 different animals there from lions, lemurs to lynx, and meerkats, marmosets and monkeys. 

Favourites for us were the red pandas and penguins, followed closely by the deer my little boy loved to feed. There are food outlets across the site to grab some lunch and a drink, or there are plenty of places to sit and eat a picnic. The kids can run wild in the zoo’s outdoor play areas, and there’s a gift shop for souvenirs. My boys are always asking when we can go back. The zoo recommends allowing 2-3 hours for your visit, but we spent a lot longer there.

More Info

• Review by Helen from Twins, Tantrums & Cold Coffee
• Address – Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2NL
• Ticket Prices – Adults £16.35, child (3-15 years) £12.30, under 3s free
• Opening Times – The zoo opens every day apart from Christmas Day at 10 am. Closing time varies by season, throughout the Summer closes at 5 pm with the last admission an hour before. 
• https://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/

Paradise Wildlife Park

Paradise Wildlife Park (rebranding to Hertfordshire Zoo in 2023) has a wide range of animals from tapir to tigers, reindeer to rabbits although going forwards they will be focusing more on endangered species. There is also a lot of play equipment, a soft play, a splash park (summer only) and a large walk-around area with moving dinosaurs.

More Info

• Review by Kate from Counting to Ten
• Address – White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne EN10 7QA
• Ticket Prices – Car parking is free. Admission prices vary depending on the time of year during peak times adult tickets cost £24, and £22 for children with aged 2 and less entering for free.
• Opening Times – Paradise Wildlife Park is open 364 days a year only closing on Christmas day.  The park opens at 9.30 am throughout the year. It closes at 5.30 pm, April to September and 4.30 pm October to March,
• https://hertfordshirezoo.com/

Howletts Wildlife Park

More Info

• Review by Becky from Planes Trains and Buggies
• Address – Bekesbourne Ln, Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL
• Ticket Prices – Ticket prices vary with peak times such as the weekends being more expensive. An adult ticket for a weekend in august costs £25, for a child £20 with children under three being free. 
• Opening Times – The zoo is open 364 days a year only being closed on Christmas Day. Opening times vary depending on the season. During the Summer season, the zoo opens at 9.30 am and closes at 6 pm with the last admission at 4.30 pm. During Winter the zoo opens at 9.30 am and closes at 5 pm (2 pm on Christmas Eve) with the last admission at 3.30 pm.
• https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/

Twycross Zoo

If you have Gruffalo fans in your house then Twycross Zoo is a must. As well as being known for their conversation work with primates. They also have The Gruffalo Discovery Land which was opened in 2022. The interactive trail takes you to see all the main characters of the much-loved story. It includes animatronics and film clips and touch and feel activities. The best bit is that it is included in your ticket.

As well as the characters from the Gruffalo you will also see gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, penguins, amur leopard, lemars and black rhinos to name a few. There is also always something going on, especially during school holidays. So it is worth checking their website to see when things are running and their stunning creatures of the world parade. Download the app so you don’t get lost. 

More Info

• • Address – Twycross Zoo, Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX
  • Ticket Prices – They run social offers for example over August during school holidays tickets on selected dates were only £15. If you book in advance https://youtu.be/YkBTAFOR7m4online. Outside of special offers, adult tickets are £21.95 and children aged 2-16 are £17.40. Under 2s are free. 
  • Opening Times – Open 364 days a year. Check the website for opening times which vary throughout the year. During the summer months, they are open from 10 am to 6 pm. 
  • https://twycrosszoo.org/

Drusillas Park

We have been visiting Drusillas Park since before Charlie could walk. It is a wonderful zoo with so much to keep the children entertained. There are a number of walk-through closures including our favourites the lemurs and the lorikeets. As well as a rather stinky bat and sloth cave. Although they may be missing some of the larger animals what they do have are n lovely enclosures. Which allows you to get up close without disturbing the residents. There are also plenty of interactive play things to keep the kids entertained as they walk around.

Not to mention the park also has a whole host of rides at no extra cost. Previously Hello Kitty Land it has been replaced with Rainforest Adventure in 2022. With eight rides for the whole family including an express train which will take you around the park. There is a huge outside play area, an adventure maze, a splash pad, and soft play. All of these are at no additional cost. Although if the kids do want to spend their pocket money then there are bouncy castles, face painting, wall climbing, panning for gold, dino dig and a new sensory play experience called SPARK. The prices are a few pounds each. 

There are also plenty of picnic spots and various cafes on site to keep little ones’ batteries recharged. It is worth having a look on their website as they also run various events throughout the year. 

More Info

• Address – Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS
• Ticket Prices – Free parking onsite. By booking tickets in advance you can save up to 20%. Tickets cost £26.90 for everyone over 2 – 60 if you book online, or £33.50 if brought at the gate. Over 60s are £24.90 or £31.00. Under 2s are free. I also really like that it is possible to buy a Flexi Ticket which is valid for 365 days at £30 each. 
• Opening Times –  Drusillas Park is open 362 days a year with the exception of the 24th, 25th and 26th of December. Summer opening hours are 10 am – 6 pm with the last admission at 5 pm. The car park closes at 6.15 pm. Winter opening hours are 10 am – 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm. The car park closes at 5.15 pm.
• https://www.drusillas.co.uk/

Wild Place Project

I still remember taking Charlie to the Bristol zoo when he was little. Since then the zoo has relocated to the Wild Place Project site and is currently submitting planning permission for its old site. With the aim to raise funds to create a new type of zoo. Where both the animals and visitors are part of the landscape. Until that point, you can still visit the Wild Place Project. Where you can see European brown bears, giraffes, cheetahs and zebras. As well as a whole host of other creatures.

They have a barefoot trail, woodland play area in bar wood as well as a life-sized wooden plane to climb on. Throughout the day there are animal talks. There are two places to stop for food, either base camp pizza which is open during the school holidays and weekends. Or the Courtyard Cafe is open all year round.

More Info

• Address – Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP
• Ticket Prices – Tickets need to be purchased online in advance when you select a specific time slot. Tickets are priced with or without a donation. Adult tickets are £16.95/£15.40, children (2-14 years) £13.95/£12.68 with under 2s free. Although under 2s still need a pre-booked ticket. 
• Opening Times – Open 264 days a year. The first slot of the day is 10 am with the last slot depending on the time of year. Bearwood shuts an hour before the rest of the zoo with the last admission half an hour before this. 
• https://wildplace.org.uk/

Hamerton Zoo

Set in the beautiful Cambridge countryside. Expect to see tigers and bears as well as a wide selection of birds and domestic animals. It is possible to do a stroll around the domestic animals and feed some of them. Buggy-friendly it is a great option for toddlers. The zoo also has two play areas split by age. Which I think is so important as it means the younger children are not going to get caught up in high jinks. 

If your little ones like trains then there is a brightly coloured railroad train which takes passengers around the K-T Dinosaur exhibition. With giant models of the dinosaurs and information about the mammals that followed in their footsteps. Journey through time and take the weight off your feet. The train does cost an extra £3.50 per person. A timetable may be in operation on quiet days. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or the gift shop. 

More Info

• Address – Hamerton Zoo Park, Hamerton, Nr Sawtry, Cambs, PE28 5RE
• Ticket Prices – Tickets are cheaper if you pre-book online by £1. The prices online are for adults £16.99, children aged 3-12 £11.99 and children under 3 free. 
• Opening Times – Open all year round and only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 
• https://www.hamertonzoopark.com/

Blackpool Zoo

Blackpool is not somewhere you naturally associate with a zoo. But it has a fabulous zoo with a number of large animals, such as tigers, gorillas, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, orangutans and many others. Focusing on animal experiences there is so much to see and various walk-throughs such as the wallabies, farm and lorikeets. Where it is possible to feed the brightly coloured rainbow birds. There is also a sealion show during peak times. Keep an eye out for keeper talks throughout the day and download the zoo app for a timetable.

There is also a dinosaur safari and a recently refurbished huge play barn. Which is great for sheltering in if the weather in is not behaving. Spread over three levels the play barn has giant slides, ball cannons, ball showers, multi-level play opportunities and a new dedicated toddler area.

More Info

• Address – E Park Dr, Blackpool, FY3 8PP
• Ticket Prices – Buying tickets in advance will save you money, the online price is a couple of pounds cheaper. Adult tickets are either £19.99 online or £22.99 at the door. Children (3-15)  are £15.99 or £17.99. Under 3s are free. Unlike so many other zoos they also offer family tickets which is nice to see. For a family of four (2 adults), it is £63.99/£73.99 with a family of five being £77.99/£89.99. So for family tickets buying online really does make a difference. 
• Opening Times – Open daily except for Christmas Day. The zoo opens at 10 am but closing time varies depending on the time of year. The last admission is 45 minutes before closing. 
• https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/

Northumberland Country Zoo

If you like tractors then this is the zoo for you. As not only is there a wide selection of animals but the zoo also has a Tractor Museum. New for 2022 Bear Falls Soft Play looks very smart and is included in the price of your ticket. It also has a special toddler area to ensure little ones can play away from the more boisterous older children. Although they do not have any of the larger animals they still have a great selection. Including snow leopards, otters, wallabies, deer, racoons and armadillos to name a few.

There is also a wide selection of farm animals, all manor of owls including my favourite – a barn owl. And a  selection of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Keep an eye out for the keeper talks which vary by the day of the week. There are outside picnic areas and a new cafe which serves both hot and cold food. With everything repaired or cooked on site. 

More Info

• Address – 2 Eshottheugh Farm, Felton, Morpeth, NE65 9QH
• Ticket Prices – Adults cost £14.25, Children ages 16 and under are £12.75 with under 2s being free. What I really like about Northumberland County Zoo is all the different options on a family ticket. Which will ultimately save you money. The price for two adults and two kids is £52.50. But they also have single adult options and prices for up to four children. 
• Opening Times – Like many zoos they operate different opening times for Summer and Winter. Opening is at 9.30 am and closing is 5 pm in the Summer with the last entry at 4.00 pm. While in the Winter it is 4.00 pm close with the last entry at 2.30 pm. Updates are given vis their social media pages so worth keeping an eye on these if you are planning a visit. 
• https://www.northumberlandzoo.co.uk/

Port Lympne Safari

Port Lympne Safari not only offers day visitors the chance to go on safari. But it also has a wide range of different accommodations and experiences to choose from. Although they are not cheap! I would love to stay with the tigers. Sister to Howletts which is also part of the Aspinal Foundation. It has a dinosaur forest and caters for most of the big animals. Including back rhinos, lions, tigers, camels, bears and an amazing gorilla enclosure.

The park is spread over 600 acres. To help plan your day you can download a map of the zoo from their website. There is a walking route as well a safari ride. The boarding point is different depending on if you are day or short break guests. As well the animals there are various play areas and a dinosaur forest. Around the hotel there are some landscaped gardens which are absolutely beautiful and offer a place to relax away from the busyness of the safari park. We stayed at Port Lympne as part of a campaign with pansonic if you would like to see the glamping tents.

More Info

• Address – Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR
• Ticket Prices – If you are local then you can buy a Summer ticket for just £1 extra than the standard day ticket. Worth doing if you think you may return. As a charity they ask for an extra 10% donation on the ticket price. Tickets can be brought in advance on their website. Adults are £27 without donation or £29 with children (5-13) £24 or £26. Under 3s are free. When you book online you can select tickets with or without the safari. This does not affect the price of the ticket. 
• Opening Times – The zoo opens at 10 am with closing tie varying throughout the year. Wen you book your tickets online you can select date and time from an interactive calendar. 
• https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Cotswold Wildlife Park has a few of the larger animals such as giraffe, lion and zebra. It is set amongst some beautiful gardens and an old manor house. But we found that what really stands it apart from other zoos are the keeper talks. If you arrive at the right time you can essentially follow them from one enclosure to another. I would recommend catching the penguins and Lemar if you can. Details of all the keep talks are at the entrance when you arrive. 

If the weather is not playing ball then there is a reptile house and an insect house which are located in yellow stone buildings. We underestimated the time we needed at this particular zoo, I would allow yourselves a whole day. Many of the enclosures allow you to get very close to the animals. Weather dependant (it was not running when we visited) there is a narrow gauge railway which takes you all around the park. If you would like to ride the tickets cost £2 for adults and £1 for children, under 3s free. Make sure you take some time to check out the sky maze play area if travelling with children.

More Info

• Address – Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP
• Ticket Prices – Plenty of free parking, like many zoos it is cheaper to buy your ticket online. Adult tickets cost £17.50 on the door or £16 for an e-ticket. Children (3-16) cost £12.00/£11.00 with children under three being free. 
• Opening Times – They are open for most of the year, from 10 am onwards. The closing time varies depending on the time of year. During the summer months, it is 6 pm during the winter months 4 pm. 
• https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

Exmoor Zoological Park

We stumbled on this zoo when we went to Croyde Bay in Devon. It is a lovely zoo that we really fell in love with. Although if you are looking for larger zoo animals then you may be disappointed. Exmoor zoo has a large focus on cats and has some big cats amount its residents. The main attraction is the beast of Exmoor. Or to you and I a beautiful black panther. The zoo has recently received charity status.

Again the keep talks here are very good and I would recommend the cheetah one in particular. There are lots of staff around and they were all happy to stop and talk about the animals. As well as answering any questions the boys may have. There is a small cafe on site selling basic lunch items, drinks and of course ice creams. 

More Info

• Address – Exmoor Zoological Park, South Stowford, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, North Devon. EX31 4SG
• Ticket Prices – Like many zoos, it is cheaper to buy tickets in advance online, with all online tickets having a 5% discount. They also ask for a donation although they offer tickets without one. This means the cheapest option is adult £13.75, child £10.30 (3-15), and under 3s are free. A saver ticket of two adults and two children is £46.95.
• Opening Times – The zoo is open 362 days a year, opening at 10 am in the morning. Closing at 5 pm between 19h February and the 1st of November. The rest of the year closes at 4 pm, last entry is an hour before closing. 
• https://www.exmoorzoo.co.uk/

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has one of my favourite animals. Polar Bears! They also have tigers, lions, sea lions, camels, giraffes, leopards and rhinos. As well as many others. They also have their very own dinosaur park called Pangea. Spread over 5 unique lands the immersive, pre-historic dinosaur experience is home to over 30 life-sized moving ROARING dinosaurs. This means you are bound to find your favourite as they have everything from the terrifying T-Rex to the villainous Velociraptors.

The wildlife park also has a number of different talks and shows throughout the day. Including all of the main animals and areas, I really like that there is a full list on their website with times. So you can plan your day easily. The shows centre all about bugs with two being held per day in the amphitheatre during school holidays. With five play areas across the park you are never far from one of them. The Monkey Playhouse is inside meaning that if th weather is not great then you have options. It is spread over multiple levels with lots of things to keep all kids of all ages entertained. There is also a dedicated soft play area for under 5s only.

More Info

• Address – Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster, DN9 3HQ – this is their address to get to their car park which has recently been moved. 
• Ticket Prices – Buying tickets online is cheaper, an adult ticket costs £23.00, child (3-15) £21.00 with under 3s being free. When you book online you can choose your hour arrival slot. Tickets are available at the door but cost £5 more each.
• Opening Times – Vary throughout the year depending on the season. There is an interactive calendar on their website which gives you details. Although the last entry is three hours before closing time. During the Summer it is open between 9 am and 6 pm with the last entry at 3 pm. 
• https://www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com/

Belfast Zoo

Belfast Zoo has a whole host of animals including some of the larger ones including Asian elephants, lions, sea lions, zebras, giraffes, gorillas and chimpanzees. There is also a reptile house. A full list of keeper talks and feeding times are available on their website as well as a map. So that you can plan your day before visiting. A large playground will keep the kids entertained while they eat their picnic on the benches surrounding it. 

Something which I do not think I have seen in a UK zoo is a free audio tour which gives details on the 120 different species. There is also a cafe in the zoo which is open all year round selling hot and cold food and drinks. During peak season there is s second cafe which has more substantial meals either to eat in or take away. If you walk to the top of the zoo then you can get some fantastic views across Belfast. This does mean that some of the zoo has higher gradient pathways so bear this in mind when planning a trip. These are indicated on the map and the zoo has a Zoomobile to help with those that need extra support with accessibility. 

More Info

• Address – Antrim Rd, Belfast, BT36 7PN
• Ticket Prices – Booking online up to 9.30 am on the day you intend to visit will give you a discount. Like many other zoos, they ask for a donation which s voluntary. The cheapest option online option with a donation is £13.50 with a donation or £13 without. The child (4-16) is £6.75/£6.50 with kids under the age of 4 being free. They also offer a family ticket for up to two adults and three children £38.50/£36.50. Currently, you must book tickets before visiting.
• Opening Times – Open 363 days a year, closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Open 10 am to 6 pm between 3rd April to the 2nd October last entry is at 4.30 pm. Open to 4 pm the rest of the year with the last entry at 2.30 pm. 
• https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/zoo/home

Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has over 400 different animals including all of the big ones. Including hippos, elephants, orangutans, rhinos, tigers, snow leopards, chimpanzees, gorillas and lions. They also have a reptile house. Over the holidays they run dinosaur events where you get a chance to meet a T-Rex skeleton and take part in your own dinosaur dig. Tickets for these events need to be booked in advance. There is also a list of all the keeper talks and feeding times on the website. So you can plan your day in advance. There are numerous places to pick up food and drinks across the zoo. 

More Info

• Address – Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland
• Ticket Prices – Buying online in advance will save you money when compared to the gate prices. Adults online cost €18.25, children (3-15) cost €13.50 with under 3s being free. They also offer various family tickets with up to four children. Two adults and two children costs €52.00.
• Opening Times – Open 363 days a year only closed for Christmas Day and St Stephens Day. Currently, the zoo is open from 9.30 am to  6.00 pm. With the last admission is 5.00 pm.
• https://www.dublinzoo.ie/

Manor Wildlife Park

Many of the enclosures at Manor Wildlife Park are walk-through enclosures. Including the Red Panda woods, and wallaby safari where the animals are very used to human contact. Meaning that you should be able to feed and stroke a wallaby. There is also the Lemur walkthrough and the African village which is designed to give you a taste of traditional village life. With goats, chickens and sheep. Other animals include zebra, tigers and rhino. 

There are several indoor play areas. These include an indoor play barn with free wifi for the parents, as well as a cafe to grab a coffee while the kids enjoy themselves. A climbing wall which offers a new interactive experience through Digiwall Challenge. A Digiwall is a climbing wall enhanced with hardware and software. Combines the computer game with sports climbing, where sound and music are used to direct the climber. As well as both of these Manor Wildlife Park also has three domes, all under cover and one has a bouncy castle in it! So there is plenty to do for the children. Plus if you are feeling peckish there is a pizzeria selling real Italian pizza. 

More Info

• Address – Manor Wildlife Park, St Florence, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8RJ
• Ticket Prices – Tickets can either be brought online or at the gate. There is no need to book online and there are no discounts for doing so. Adults cost £17.95 and children (2-16) £15.95. 
• Opening Times – Keep an eye on their social media channels for updates on timings. Currently, the zoo is open from 10 am to 6 pm. 
• https://www.manorwildlifepark.co.uk/

There we have 30 of the best zoos in the UK. Do you think we have missed any wildlife parks or UK zoos? I would love to hear about your top zoos in the comments below. 

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