This guide brings together UK zoo and wildlife park visitor guides, covering major conservation zoos and smaller family-friendly parks across England, Scotland and Wales. It includes drive-through safaris such as Longleat, large-scale habitats at Chester Zoo and Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and specialist collections like Highland Wildlife Park’s cold-climate species. Each linked guide covers ticket prices, opening hours and what to expect on arrival, organised here by region to help with planning a day out or a longer trip.
South and south west England
The south west and south coast hold a mix of established zoos and drive-through experiences, from Cornwall’s biggest zoo to a safari park famous for one particular hazard.
- Newquay Zoo, Cornwall: ticket prices and opening hours — Cornwall’s biggest zoo, with key exhibits and practical planning tips.
- Bristol Zoo Project, Bristol: tickets, hours and top tips — how the new site differs from the old Bristol Zoo and what visitors can see today.
- Longleat, Wiltshire: will the monkeys damage your car? — the real risks of driving through the monkey enclosure, and whether it’s worth it.
- Marwell Zoo, Winchester: ticket prices, hours and top tips — large open enclosures and how to plan a route around the site.
- Drusillas Park, East Sussex: tickets, hours and animal highlights — which species to see, and why it particularly suits younger children, in Sussex.
The Midlands
The Midlands mixes a castle-top zoo with smaller conservation-focused parks in Staffordshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
- Dudley Zoo and Castle: tickets and opening hours — animal exhibits set around a medieval castle in the West Midlands.
- Peak Wildlife Park, Staffordshire: tickets, hours and tips — close-up animal encounters and what to expect from a walkthrough visit.
- ARK Wildlife Park, Lincolnshire: a practical guide for first-time visitors — a conservation-focused park near Boston, with booking traps to watch for.
- Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire: ticket prices, parking and visitor guide — known for its primate collection, with tips for planning a visit.
Northern England
The north holds the UK’s largest and most-visited zoo, alongside family favourites in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
- Chester Zoo, Cheshire: opening hours, ticket prices and parking — the UK’s largest zoo, and how to make the most of a full-day visit.
- Blackpool Zoo, Lancashire: ticket prices and opening hours — an accessible, family-friendly attraction close to the town centre.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park: a practical guide for first-time visitors — large-scale habitats and the key species to look out for.
- Tropical World, Leeds: an honest review for visiting with children — Roundhay Park’s odd hybrid of a zoo, aquarium and botanic garden.
Scotland and Wales
Scotland’s two zoos, run by the same conservation charity, sit at opposite ends of the country, while Wales offers a smaller wildlife park near Caerphilly.
- Edinburgh Zoo: ticket prices, hours and booking tips — why advance booking matters and what to prioritise on arrival.
- Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig: tickets, hours and must-know tips — a safari-style experience in the Scottish Highlands, home to cold-climate species.
- Meadows Wildlife Park, Caerphilly: prices, hours and parking tips — a smaller, family-run wildlife park in south Wales.
Planning your visit
Larger zoos, including Chester Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo, often require timed tickets booked in advance, especially during school holidays and weekends. Drive-through attractions like Longleat are worth checking for vehicle restrictions beforehand, since not every car is suited to the monkey enclosure. On wet days, indoor-heavy sites such as Tropical World in Leeds make a useful fallback, while safari-style parks like Highland Wildlife Park are best visited with a full tank of fuel, given their remote locations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest zoo in the UK?
Chester Zoo is the UK’s largest and most-visited zoo, spread across around 130 acres in Cheshire and home to thousands of animals across hundreds of species.
Do you need to book UK zoo tickets in advance?
Many larger zoos, including Edinburgh Zoo, now sell timed-entry tickets that are worth booking ahead, particularly at weekends and during school holidays. Smaller parks are generally more flexible, but it’s worth checking each individual guide before travelling.
Which UK zoo is best for young children?
Drusillas Park in East Sussex is particularly suited to younger children, with exhibits and attractions scaled to a smaller audience than the UK’s larger zoos.