Children love seeing animals, whether it’s feeding sea lions or penguins, petting a rabbit on a farm, learning about endangered species or spotting big cats on safari. There are so many wonderful animal parks in the UK to explore – from zoos, safari parks and wildlife sanctuaries to wetlands, farms and aquariums. Kids get the thrill of the adventure, while you can be assured they’re having a day in the fresh air with plenty to see, do and learn.
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Here’s our pick of the top animal parks in the UK to add to your must-visit list.
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Exciting Animal Parks in the UK
#1. Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire
Paradise Wildlife Park is one of the only animal parks in the UK home to five different big cat breeds – white lions, tigers, snow leopards, jaguars and a white tiger.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Broxbourne Woods in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside, the park is home to hundreds of exotic animals, including monkeys, zebras, lemurs, meerkats, red pandas, tapirs, penguins, wallabies, emus, birds of prey, parrots and reptiles. There’s a full programme of daily animal talks and shows, plus safari-themed adventure golf, an animal resource centre, a jungle theatre, a woodland railway, adventure playgrounds and soft play areas to keep the whole family entertained.
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#2. The Deep, Yorkshire
Your little ones will love discovering the huge array of marine life at Yorkshire’s The Deep. The attraction is home to thousands of fish, including sharks, rays and jellyfish, with regular dive shows to watch. You can also get hands-on with smaller species found on UK shores at the touchpool sessions in Dylan’s Discovery Corner.
The Deep is also home to some VIPs – Very Important Penguins! There’s a colony of Gentoo penguins in the Kingdom of Ice, with daily feeding sessions to enjoy. Other favourites include Loggerhead sea turtles, along with a variety of invertebrates, frogs and snakes throughout the attraction. Be prepared for a fin-tastic time!
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#3. Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire
Take the family to meet the safari stars and get closer than ever to amazing wildlife at Woburn Safari Park, one of the most popular animal parks in the UK. Drive through the Road Safari parkland reserves, then explore the Foot Safari and enjoy keeper talks and demonstrations.
The Kingdom of Carnivores is home to a family of black bears and a pack of Canadian timber wolves, while the Foot Safari’s Animal Encounters area lets you get face to face with friendly donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs and ponies. Elsewhere in the park you can meet bush dogs, agouti, spiny-tailed iguanas, red pandas and tawny frogmouths – it’s a full day’s worth of animal fun for the whole family.
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#4. Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Experience the beauty of Longleat Safari and Adventure Park and the thrill of the safari drive, which takes you closer to wild animals than you’d think possible. Go on safari, discover Longleat House and Grounds, come face to face with amazing creatures in Animal Discovery, and explore the fun-filled Adventure Zone – there’s so much to do at one of the most famous animal parks in the UK.
On safari, drive through the lion paddock, spot the resident elephant, hunt down the wolf pack and marvel at the white rhinos as they pass close to your car. Then take a walking safari through the African village to meet giraffes and zebra, cruise the lake to visit Gorilla Island and the sea lions, hand-feed lorikeets and explore the bat cave and monkey temple.
Little explorers will love the adventure castle and the play area inspired by native wildlife. Don’t forget to leave time for the shows in Pets Corner, the giant hedge maze, or a ride on the Jungle Express – it’s an animal lover’s dream day out.
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#5. Marwell Zoo, Winchester
Explore the wonders of the natural world at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, and play a part in helping to save them. From ring-tailed lemurs to majestic giraffes, and curious meerkats to stunning snow leopards, the 140-acre park is home to a wide range of exotic and endangered species.
Spend time with the playful primates at Lemur Loop, where several species of lemur roam in a beautifully landscaped indoor and outdoor setting. With five adventure playgrounds, a tractor train, a rail train and an indoor picnic area, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained for a full day out.
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#6. Hatfield Park Farm, Hertfordshire
Families will find plenty to do and enjoy at Hatfield Park Farm in Hertfordshire. Covering around 25 acres on the west side of Hatfield House, the farm shows off its animals in a natural countryside setting.
While walking amongst the paddocks, visitors can see donkeys, pigs, sheep, cows, goats, ponies and many types of ducks, chickens and geese, with feeding stations offering a chance to get up close.
Children can play in the sand pits, bounce on the tractor tyres, climb the wooden tractor or take on the goat pass, a play challenge in the heart of the farm. There’s also a miniature train ride for an additional charge.
#7. Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Kent
Discover Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, where history and family fun sit side by side. A real working farm, Kent Life showcases and breeds traditional farm animals, and Cuddle Corner offers the chance to get up close to some smaller farmyard friends – a must for a family day out in Kent.
The entertainment schedule brings the chance to meet friendly animals through feeding and grooming sessions, and there’s plenty to discover along the nature trail.
Located in the Garden of England, you can explore a collection of historic buildings, including Britain’s last working coal-fired oast house. Children will enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas, donkey rides, a bouncy castle, tractor rides and a paint-a-pot studio.
#8. Godstone Farm, Surrey
Discover, explore and have fun at Godstone Farm. Set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, a short distance from the M25, the farm makes for a great fun-filled family day out.
You can see a large variety of animals, including highland cows, reptiles, llamas and giant rabbits, alongside tractor rides, animal handling, sandpits, a dino trail, feeding sessions and den building.
Don’t forget to leave time for the soft play barn and giant adventure playground for plenty of climbing, swinging and balancing!
#9. Manor Farm Country Park, Hampshire
When you arrive at Manor Farm after a winding drive through the country park, it feels like stepping back in time. The farm was the setting for the BBC’s Wartime Farm series, which explored the farm’s role during World War II.
Children can explore the historic farmhouse, the Victorian schoolroom and the air raid shelter. Among the farm animals are free-range chickens, cows, horses and pigs, with regular chances to meet the newest baby animals to arrive.
Make sure you leave time to explore the woodland, where you might spot roe deer or hear birdsong. Manor Farm will delight school-age children and toddlers alike, and is best suited to fair-weather days as indoor space is limited.
#10. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, London
Dumbo rats, Aylesbury ducks and yellow-crowned parakeets are just some of the smaller species you’ll spot at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo – the perfect pint-sized afternoon out for pint-sized explorers.
Get up close with otters, cheeky monkeys, donkeys, lemurs and chipmunks as you explore the grounds. If they all sound too cute, head for the Reptile House, home to bearded dragons, snakes, turtles and a rather unexpected star – a giant snail!
There’s animal-themed fun too, including quiz trails, puppet making and bug days. With playgrounds, a tractor, a fire engine and plenty of mammals, reptiles and birds, it’s a big wild world of adventure in a small space.
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#11. Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Flamingo Land was made for flamingo fans – it’s in the name! But there’s much more to enjoy, including well over a hundred species in the park, from meerkats and macaws to baboons and penguins. And don’t forget the rollercoasters too.
You can learn about flamingo conservation, particularly important as these long-legged residents face growing threats in the wild. There are regular free talks and “Meet a Creature” sessions throughout the park. For older kids and adults keen to go further, the “Be a Zookeeper” experience offers a day caring for rare and exotic animals – including some of the messier jobs, like cleaning enclosures!
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#12. Monkey World, Dorset
Some may recognise this 65-acre park from TV’s Monkey Life and Monkey Business, but Monkey World is also home to hundreds of rescued and endangered primates from around the world, including one of the largest groups of chimpanzees outside of Africa.
Guided tours and talks share fascinating stories about the many species who call the park home, raising awareness of the need to protect these amazing animals. Kids will also enjoy the Great Ape Play area, one of the largest adventure play spaces in the South, plus cafes and picnic spots. Spend a few hours watching the residents climb, swing and play, especially during feeding sessions – it’s a cheeky and heartwarming family day out that makes a real difference.
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#13. Puffin Island Sea Safari, Anglesey
The very best way to see wildlife is in its natural habitat, and this Anglesey sea safari delivers exactly that – with boat trips to suit families with different levels of adventure in mind.
Depending on your preference, you can take an exhilarating RIB ride or a more sedate cruise from Beaumaris on Anglesey, both giving you the chance to spot wildlife around Puffin Island in the Menai Strait. A colony of grey seals makes its home at the east end of the island and can often be seen basking or swimming, while harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins are also known to surface nearby – so keep your eyes peeled!
#14. Cardigan Bay, Wales
The UK might not have the climate for swimming with dolphins, but you can still watch pods of them playing off our shores. Cardigan Bay in West Wales is one of the best places for dolphin spotting, home to Europe’s largest population of bottlenose dolphins.
Taking a boat out into the bay is an experience the whole family will remember. During the trip, it’s possible to see grey seals, porpoises, sea birds and, of course, dolphins. Teens will enjoy the thrill of the ride, while younger kids will love scanning the water for tell-tale signs of dolphins nearby. Just make sure to wrap up warm!
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#15. Lake District Wildlife Park, Cumbria
Nestled among the mountains of North Cumbria, the Lake District Wildlife Park is home to over 100 species of animals and birds. What makes this park stand out is how naturally it sits within its national park surroundings. The 24-acre parkland hosts a birds of prey display that’s been delighting visitors for many years, with handlers flying birds low over the audience during entertaining, informative shows.
With a strong emphasis on conservation and education, keepers love sharing their knowledge of the animals in their care. The outdoor adventure play area is always a hit with children, who can climb, crawl, slide and swing while you unpack a picnic in the sheltered undercover area. There’s also indoor soft play and a café serving home-cooked, locally sourced food. Tweens and toddlers will love this small zoo, though come prepared for a fair bit of walking.
#16. Tring Natural History Museum, Hertfordshire
And for something a bit different, what about the Tring Natural History Museum? The animals here aren’t alive, but they’re no less fascinating.
Discover animal specimens from all over the world – from tiny beetles to enormous bears, from antelope to zebras, from mandrills to elephants, crocodiles, rhinoceroses and tiger sharks – a veritable Noah’s Ark of animals, all displayed in original Victorian glass cabinets. It’s fascinating for parents and children alike, and best of all, entry is free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best animal park in the UK for a full day out?
Safari parks like Woburn and Longleat tend to offer the most to fill a full day, combining a driving safari with walking trails, animal encounters and play areas. If you have younger children or less time, a farm park or children’s zoo such as Godstone Farm or Battersea Park Children’s Zoo can be just as rewarding on a smaller scale.
Are there animal parks in the UK suitable for toddlers?
Yes. Farm parks such as Hatfield Park Farm, Kent Life and Manor Farm Country Park are gentle, walkable and geared towards young children, with sandpits, play areas and animals at toddler height.
Can you see animals in the wild rather than in a park?
Yes – boat trips like the Puffin Island Sea Safari in Anglesey and dolphin-watching trips in Cardigan Bay let you see seals, porpoises and dolphins in their natural habitat, which is a brilliant alternative to a traditional zoo or safari park day out.
Is it worth visiting a natural history museum instead of a zoo?
Museums like Tring Natural History Museum offer a different kind of animal experience – seeing specimens up close, learning about species from around the world, and often for free. It’s a great option to combine with, or as an alternative to, a live animal attraction.
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Before You Go
Fancy more days-out inspiration like this? Browse our full collection of family adventure ideas for more places to explore with the kids, and save this one to come back to when you’re planning your next wild day out.
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