Paignton Zoo

The eccentric millionaire Herbert Whitley founded Paignton Zoo in Devon in 1923 and today it is one of the UK’s leading zoos, an important conservation charity and a great family day out.

Thousands of animals are housed in a range of different global habitats, from desert to rainforest, all set in an 80-acre park. Highlights include lions, tigers, rhinos, gorillas and orang-utans, with areas such as Monkey Heights and Crocodile Swamp, as well the opportunity to indulge in Fairtrade shopping. In fact, you’re never far away from restaurants, shops, toilets, play areas and snack bars.

Paignton Zoo offers a great range of animal, plant and habitat adoptions, animal feeding experiences and behind the scenes experiences. You can be a Keeper for a Day, Vet for a Day or Zoo Gardener for a Day.

The zoo is owned by the charity, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which also runs Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall and supports conservation work in the UK, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam. It is also part of many different breeding programmes for endangered species.

Wildlife you might see at Paignton Zoo

Family and group offers at Paignton Zoo

Families

Family tickets are available.

Groups

Groups welcome all year round with discounted entry prices.
Free coach parking (please book in advance).
Tailor made and specialist visits including garden tours.
Coach drop-off point.
Free entry and meal for the driver.
Familiarisation visits available.