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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.
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.
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.
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