Top Zoos & Safari Parks in the UK
Don’t know what to do with the kids? The best UK zoos are open all-year-round and offer the most memorable days out for families with wildlife, fresh air and tons of exercise thrown together! Zero preparation – just book and go! Can there be any better day out than that?
Twycross Zoo - North Warwickshire
Twycross is well-known for its primates and is the only zoo in the UK where you will find the four great apes - gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan and bonobo. Outside of monkeying around, make sure you walk through the Sumatran tiger tunnel as well as pay a visit to the BRAND NEW Gruffalo Discovery Land.
Tickets must be booked in advance. Kids under 2 enter free. Free parking.
Click here to get up to 30% OFF tickets
Anglesey Sea Zoo
At Anglesey Sea Zoo you will have the chance to see plenty of species native to the UK, including colourful anemones, grouchy old wolffish, starfish and gentle seahorses. Altogether there are over 150 different marine creatures, including some of our own sharks.
No need to pre-book. Kids under 3 enter free. Open daily from 10am.
Exmoor Zoo
Rumours continue to this day of a large jet-black cat loose on Exmoor. The beast is believed to be a black leopard and Exmoor Zoo in North Devon is the only place in the UK where you can see two such cats. There are other unusual creatures at this zoo, including whiskery binturong that smell of popcorn and singing dogs that yodel! There are also talks with the keepers throughout the day.
Pre-booking is essential. Open daily from 9am. Kids under 3 enter free.
Click here to get up to 22% OFF tickets
Chessington World of Adventures Zoo
At Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London, your entry fee to the theme park includes entry to the incredible zoo and Sea Life Aquarium. Come along to see the critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas and Bush Dogs here as well as lions, wolves, puma and sealions. Altogether there are 1000 animals at Chessington.
Pre-booking online is essential. Open daily from 10am.
Best Animal Park Discounts Nationwide
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Located in Doncaster, this wildlife park has over 70 species, including polar bears, leopards, red howler monkeys and African painted dogs. There are regular ranger talks, including an entertaining Deadly Bugs Live show. For some exercise, let your kids run around the Oasis outdoor play areas with zip lines, climbing frames and slides. Uproar indoor play barn is an incredible place too!
Kids under 3 enter free.
Click here to get up to 28% OFF tickets
Colchester Zoo
This Essex Zoo is over 50 years old and exhibits over 200 species in 60 acres of parkland, including many rare and endangered species, such as the fearsome Komodo dragons and grass-eating Gelada Baboons. Other highlights of your visit will include hand-feeding nectar to the rainbow lorikeets and the indoor and outdoor play areas.
Pre-booking is essential. Kids under 3 enter free. Open daily from 9.30am (except Christmas Day).
Click here to get up to 30% OFF tickets
Dudley Zoo
Located within the grounds of 11th century Dudley Castle, this zoo has the original 1930’s reinforced concrete ‘Tectons’ to house some of the 200 species of animals. Make sure you visit Lemur Wood where you can mingle with 30 lemurs and learn about the conservation partnership with Madagascar. Kidzoone is certainly worth a visit for its animal-themed arts and crafts activities also.
Pre-booking recommended. Kids under 2 enter free. Open daily from 10am (except Christmas Day).
Click here to get up to 40% OFF tickets
West Midlands Safari & Leisure Park
One day is not long enough to see everything here! There is a drive-through safari with big cats, giraffes, rhinos and many others in 200 acres of Worcestershire countryside. In addition, there’s the UK’s largest dinosaur animatronic exhibition, a play park for little kids and plenty of other attractions. For an extra charge you can visit the Adventure Theme Park with family-friendly rides and roller coasters too.
Free parking. Kids under 3 go free. There is a special ‘free return visit’ offer available (see website).
Click here to get up to 30% OFF tickets
Drayton Zoo
Part of the Drayton Manor theme park complex in Tamworth, this 15-acre zoo exhibits over 100 animals, including the critically endangered black-headed spider monkey. In addition, you can see lemurs, tamarins, gibbons, tapirs, tigers and a wide range of birds and reptiles. Drayton Manor is using its wonderful grounds to encourage wildlife to find a home outside the animal enclosures so take time to wander around and view the nesting boxes and insect hotels.
Click here to get up to 30% OFF tickets
London Zoo
Did you know London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and first opened its doors in 1826. Over the years ZSL has been home to many famous animals, including Guy the gorilla, Goldie the golden eagle and Winnie, who became one of the most famous bears in the world. This family favourite is a must see when exploring London.
Best Animal Park Discounts Nationwide
Edinburgh Zoo
Home to over 2,500 animals, this hillside zoo can offer you a truly memorable day out. This is the only place in the UK to see a pair of giant pandas or a colony of koala bears. Penguin Rock houses over 100 penguins too. Also here are chimpanzees, tigers, rhinos and meerkats – everything a child will want to see! In addition, there are play areas, picnic benches and food outlets.
Open daily from 10am (except Christmas Day). Kids under 3 enter free.
Click here to get up to 20% OFF tickets
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is the most visited zoo in the UK and for good reason! It has over 20,000 animals and 128 acres off Zoological gardens that are beautiful. Must do’s include the UK’s first underwater viewing zone for giant otters, as well as the Madagascar habitat which has a walk through Lemur enclosure!
Best Animal Park Discounts Nationwide
Dartmoor Zoo
This 33-acre zoo is near Plymouth and it’s home to both exotic and native wildlife, including big cats, zebras, wallabies and wolves. Pay a visit to Prickly Hedge Lodge, the hedgehog rescue centre where up to 20 of these endangered creatures are being nursed back to health. There are also daily keeper talks, beautiful gardens and a restaurant serving local delicacies and ice cream.
Online pre-booking is essential. Large picnic areas and outdoor playgrounds. Open daily from 10am (except Christmas Day).
Click here to get 35% OFF tickets
Drusillas Park
This small 10-acre park in Alfriston, East Sussex is geared very much towards children under 10 years and it’s a marvellous mixture of entertainment. The zoo houses lots of smaller furry animals that will appeal to little kids, including dwarf mongooses, golden lion tamarins and big-eared fennec foxes. Drusillas is also about having fun running round the play areas and fairground rides.
Book in advance. Open daily from 10am (except Christmas). Kids under 2 enter free.
Click here to get up to 40% OFF tickets
Marwell Zoo
Marwell Zoo is an innovative, brilliant zoo where you can get up close to playful primates, hop aboard the scenic train, and learn about the natural wonders of our planet. Be sure to visit the Tropical House, a sustainable and innovative exhibit which Rica the sloth is proud to call home! The Tropical House experience is a totally self-sufficient exhibit, which will teach your little ones the importance of looking after our planet. Lemur Loop is another exciting exhibit the kids will love, as they get to share the beautiful habitat of the lovely lemurs from learning about the story of lemur evolution and diversity, to taking part in observation and skills-based activities.
Click here for up to 20% OFF tickets
Dartmoor Zoo
This 33-acre zoo is near Plymouth and it’s home to both exotic and native wildlife, including big cats, zebras, wallabies and wolves. Pay a visit to Prickly Hedge Lodge, the hedgehog rescue centre where up to 20 of these endangered creatures are being nursed back to health. There are also daily keeper talks, beautiful gardens and a restaurant serving local delicacies and ice cream.
Online pre-booking is essential. Large picnic areas and outdoor playgrounds. Open daily from 10am (except Christmas Day).
Click here to get 35% OFF tickets
ARK Wildlife Park
The Ark is a sanctuary for exotic animals that have been rescued and your visit helps the Ark continue its worthwhile work. It lovingly hosts raccoons, lynx, coatis, snakes, porcupines and many more wonderful animals. There are daily presentations, a children’s outdoor play park and Kalahari café. The ARK has introduced a unique escape room experience (four people minimum) where you can help to capture smugglers who have stolen Chloe the Meerkat (charges apply).
Open throughout the year from 10am (except January). Kids under 3 go free.
South Lake Safari Zoo
This Lake District zoo offers the chance to see a wide variety of animals in a stunning location. Help to feed giraffes, lemurs and penguins with the keeper for just £5 per person extra. See white rhinos and Andean bears. Opt for an animal encounter or zookeeper experience. Restaurants on site.
Open from 10am. Kids under 3 enter free.
Click here to get up to 43% OFF tickets
Highland Wildlife Park
Anyone visiting Edinburgh in 2022 would be making a mistake by not visiting Highland Wildlife Park… The reason being, you may spot the most adorable, fluffy and amazing baby polar bear that was born at Highland Wildlife Park, Brodie. Visitors of Highland Wildlife Park have been in awe at the baby polar bear, sharing videos of the cub playing and being cared for by its mother.
There’s plenty more fun and discoveries to be had at Highland Wildlife Park, including daily feeds and talks on wildcats, snow leopards, amur tigers, snow monkeys and the male polar bears! With all these fascinating creatures to explore, a day out at Highland Wildlife Park needs to be on your summer holiday bucket list!
Click here for up to 22% OFF tickets
Banham Zoo
Visit over 2000 animals in 50-acre Banham Zoo in Norfolk, including giraffes, monkeys, lemurs and the big cats. There’s an area devoted to domestic livestock too. You have a rare chance to feed exotic animals here, such as tigers and cheetahs (extra charge). Kids can get rid of some energy at ‘Woodland Adventure’ with its climbing frame, mud kitchen and wide-open space to run around.
Online pre-booking is essential.
Click here to get up to 20% OFF tickets
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
This London Zoo in Battersea Park is suited to little kids up to 10 years and it’s home to animals that they will find fascinating, including tubby pigs, inquisitive capuchins and spiky hedgehogs. There are regular feeding times to amuse kids and a playground with climbing frames, wooden fort and life-size helicopter.
Open daily from 10am (except Christmas Day & Boxing Day). Kids under 2 enter free.
Woburn Safari Park
Drive through 360 acres of Bedfordshire countryside and see elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos from the comfort of your own car. Continue on a foot safari to see the red pandas, monkeys and sea lions in their enclosures with regular keeper talks throughout the day. There’s the Safari Restaurant for refreshments.
Open daily from 9.30am
Click here to get up to 30% OFF tickets
