Sign up to the Discover Animals newsletter:
John Aspinall purchased Howletts in 1957 to support his growing animal collection, with Howletts opening to the public in 1975. Aspinall ultimately believed that animals belonged in the wild and endeavoured to return them to safe areas where possible.
At the Highland Wildlife Park visitors can discover animals native to Scotland as well as endangered species from the world’s mountains and tundra in a spectacular setting. Based in the Cairngorms National Park, the park is home over 200 animals from red pandas to grey wolves and the UK’s only polar bear.
Edinburgh Zoo is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which was founded in 1909, with the zoo opening in 1913. Set in 82 acres, over 1,000 rare and endangered animals are looked after here.
On the Channel Island of Jersey, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust was founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell in 1963. Durrell was at the forefront of introducing the role of conservation to zoos in the UK.
Drusillas Park near Alfriston in East Sussex is a family-run business, founded in 1922 when the late Captain Ann bought a derelict farm and 20 acres of land and opened a tea room, named after his first wife, Drusilla, adding attractions and animals to help boost trade.
A much loved part of Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, Drayton Manor Zoo has over 100 different species of animal. Originally started in 1957 to provide an educational aspect to trips by visiting school children, the zoo now covers 15 acres and is home to endangered species such as a pair of black leopards.
Curraghs Wildlife Park on the Isle of Man was opened in 1965 and has over 50 acres; 26 acres with large open walk-through enclosures, some smaller constructed enclosures, play areas, a cafe and a shop. The rest of the park is a nature reserve with a wooden walkway.
At Birdland in the Cotswolds a host of bird life is on display such as flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, cassowary and waterfowl in the riverside habitat with parrots, owls, pheasants, hornbills, touracos and many more inhabiting over 50 aviaries.
The privately-owned Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is based around Higher Leigh Manor, a Victorian estate in North Devon. it is one of only two places in the UK that has white Hudson Bay wolves on public display.
Chester Zoo is one of the top 15 zoos in the world. It was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead after he bought Oakfield Manor and seven acres of land for £3,500. With him, he brought a group of animals from a zoo at Shavington near Crewe – the first animals of Chester Zoo.
First opened nearly 180 years ago, Bristol Zoo Gardens is first and foremost a conservation charity, protecting species both in the UK and across the globe. It allows visitors to learn more about animals in the wild – especially endangered ones.
Over 40 living displays reveal the variety of life in the deep at Blue Reef Aquarium Tynemouth. A range of creatures are on view including stingrays, tropical sharks, otters, frogs and seahorses.
Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth can be found on Clarence Esplanade in Southsea. At the aquarium’s heart is the giant ocean tank where an underwater tunnel offers close encounters with puffer fish, triggerfish and hundreds of vibrant tropical fish amind a recreated coral reef.
At Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay, over 40 living displays reveal the sheer variety of life in the deep; from tropical sharks and lobsters to seahorses and tropical fish.
Opened in Cheshire in 1998, Blue Planet Aquarium is part of the new generation of wildlife attractions that aim to inspire a deeper understanding of the aquatic world by taking visitors on a fascinating journey of discovery.
One of the UK’s flagship attractions, ZSL London Zoo, is run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Founded in 1826, the society’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.
Cotswold Wildlife Park in Oxfordshire was the brainchild of John Heyworth, who in 1969, transformed the overgrown Bradwell Grove Estate into a wildlife park, which has seen over 12 million visitors since it officially opened in 1970.
Opened in 1970 and still in the family, Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling in Scotland was created by Sir John Muir and Jimmy Chipperfield and built on Sir John Muir’s estate.
Blackpool Zoo won the Large Visitor Attraction award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in 2013, proving its main focuses of education, conservation, recreation and research are working well.
Belfast Zoological Gardens is one of the oldest visitor attractions in Northern Ireland, and has been home to animals since 1934.
Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings sits on the Old Town seafront in the East Sussex town and over 30 naturally themed habitats transport you from the shoreline of Hastings to the tropical waters of the deep ocean.
As well as being a great family day out, Newquay Zoo is an education, research and conservation charity which is dedicated to protecting global wildlife heritage. We hope to inspire a life long respect for animals and the environment amongst our many visitors. Newquay Zoo was first opened in 1969, run by Restormel Council until 1994 when it was … Read more
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) was founded in 1946 by ornithologist and artist Sir Peter Scott, son of Scott of the Antarctic. Today, the trust manages nine visitor centres and reserves across Britain and is a world leader in the protection of ducks, geese, swans, flamingos and the wetlands they inhabit.
Sign up to the Discover Animals newsletter: