Sign up to the Discover Animals newsletter:
The Scottish Seabird Centre is an independent visitor attraction, conservation and education charity, dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy, learn about and look after our wildlife and natural environment. In addition to its role as a visitor attraction and environmental education charity, the Scottish Seabird Centre is a campaigning charity which focuses on the conservation … Read more
Achieving charitable status in January 2015, the International Centre for Birds of Prey offers a wonderful day out for any age! Get close to the birds for spectacular photographic opportunities, watch eagles soar, falcons stoop, owls amuse, and hawks and vultures entertain. There are daily flying demonstrations – whatever the weather – during which the passionate staff will … Read more
The Tropical Butterfly House is open daily and is located just five minutes from the M1, junction 31. Encounter the exotic and discover a wild family day out. Meet meerkats, owls, snakes and other amazing animals during unforgettable Animal Encounters throughout the day. Free-flying bird displays take place daily, featuring spectacular birds of prey, parrots and … Read more
If you’re looking for a fun-filled, fascinating, family day out, Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset is the place to go. Home to the stars of TV’s Monkey Business and Monkey Life, the park provides sanctuary for over 250 rescued and endangered primates of more than 20 different species from around the world. … Read more
The Berlin Zoological Garden is the oldest and best known zoo in Germany. Opened in 1844 it covers 34 hectares (84 acres) and is located in Berlin’s Tiergarten. With about 1,500 different species and almost 20,500 animals the zoo presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.
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.
The zoo near Winchester opened in 1972, with conservation very much at its heart. It is set within the environs of Marwell Hall, which was built in the early 14th century (around 1320) by Walter Woodlock, a relative of the Bishop of Winchester and subsequently owned by the Seymour family.
The Zoological Society of London runs ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. Set in over 600 acres of parkland, the zoo has over 2,500 animals including lions, tigers, elephants, hippos and giraffe in huge outdoor enclosures.
The 70-acre Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster is the UK’s fastest growing attraction, and is constantly adding new experiences for visitors. For 2014, the first polar bear in England will arrive to live in a 10-acre reserve divided into four sections, featuring landscaped hills, valleys and a main lake with streams, pools and waterfalls.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire has over 80 species of wild animal roaming across 300 acres. The park has a long history of species conservation, and was established by the 13th Duke of Bedford in the grounds of Woburn Abbey, opening in 1970.
Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park opened in 1983 with six tank buildings aiming to present and educate visitors about local marine conservation. Since then, the park has tripled in size and now houses over 1,000 marine creatures from penguins, seals, otters, sharks and crocodiles.
The origins of West Midland Safari & Leisure Park can be traced back to the 18th century and Spring Grove House, which still stands at the attraction, but the estate first opened as the safari park in 1973. The park boasts 1,700 animal encounters along with some great family fun rides and attractions, all set in 200 acres of leafy Worcestershire.
The National Zoological Society of Wales runs the Welsh Mountain Zoo – the National Zoo of Wales in Conwy, North Wales. Amongst the society’s successful research projects has been an investigation into the possibility of the captive breeding and release of red squirrels as an aid to the species’ survival in the British Isles.
The Penguin Ice Adventure at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham features 12 Gentoo penguins. The birds are classified as near-threatened on the IUCN Red List, and have been bred together at the SEA LIFE Centre Melbourne as part of the Breed, Rescue, Protect programme.
Seaview Wildlife Encounter on the Isle of Wight is the only attraction on the island offering one-on-one Penguin and Meerkat Encounters. Found on the north east coast of the island, on the outskirts of the yachting village of Seaview, it is a hidden gem.
In 2001, West Midland Safari and Leisure Park purchased two ex-Sea Life Centres to diversify the business following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth. Renamed Seaquarium, both sites occupy coastal positions, one at Rhyl, North Wales, the other at Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset.
In 2001, West Midland Safari and Leisure Park purchased two ex-Sea Life Centres to diversify the business following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth. Renamed Seaquarium, both sites occupy coastal positions, one at Rhyl, North Wales, the other at Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium, within the County Hall building on the South Bank, boasts over 500 species from across the globe in two million litres of water.
In Kent, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is popular with visitors, and is run by the Aspinall Foundation along with Howletts Wild Animal Park. John Aspinall purchased Port Lympne in 1973 to support his growing animal collection, with it opening to the public in 1976.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol was developed in 1998 from a dairy farm by Anthony Bush, who was a tenant dairy farmer. Amongst its many animals are white rhinos, giraffe, tigers and African lions, and primates including Siamang gibbons and ring-tailed lemurs.
New Forest Wildlife Park in Hampshire is owned by Carol and Roger Heap, who are dedicated to wildlife conservation. The park is home to many native or adoptive species, including Eurasian, Asian short-clawed and North American river otters and the endangered giant otter.
NAUSICAA is the French National Sea Life Centre in the coastal town of Boulogne-sur-Mer. There are 36,000 animals from 1,000 different species living at NAUSICAA. It is a member of the World Ocean Network and recently opened a new exhibition, At Sea On Board the Thalassa.
The National Marine Aquarium is a charity dedicated to conservation, research and education. Its mission is to drive marine conservation through engagement. It is committed to conserving the marine environment and encouraging others to do the same.
Anna’s Welsh Zoo was created when designer Anna Ryder Richardson and her husband Colin bought Manor House Wildlife Park in West Wales in 2008. A faded attraction, it required serious investment to improve the conditions for the animals and the park has since been transformed into a modern zoo set in 52 acres of Pembrokeshire parkland.
Living Coasts in Torquay, run by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, is the best in Europe for breeding a number of key species including African penguins, blue spotted stingrays and Inca terns, for which the attraction manages the European studbook.
Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside is situated around Knowsley Hall on the ancestral estate of the Earl of Derby. Edward Stanley, the 18th Earl opened the park to the public in 1971 and it now offers over 700 animals from peacocks to elephants and white rhino.
Sign up to the Discover Animals newsletter: