Updated for September 2026
The Best Zoos in United Kingdom
How this list is ordered: by how complete our listing is — how much we hold on opening hours, ticket prices, accreditation, photographs, animals and facilities. It is a measure of our own coverage, not a judgement of the venue. We hold no visitor scores or conservation assessments, so “best” here means every zoo in United Kingdom that qualifies for the list, fullest entry first.
Listed alphabetically
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Parking
Amazona Zoo
Zoo in Cromer
Amazona Zoo is a zoo in Cromer, United Kingdom. Animals on show include Jaguar, Tapir, Flamingos, Mara and Caiman.
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Keeper talk or showOvernight stayGuided tour
Banham Zoological Gardens
Zoo in Banham
Over 2,000 animals were reported in 2024, and annual attendance exceeds 200,000, the zoo having been named Norfolk's top attraction on repeated occasions. It is owned by the Zoological Society of East Anglia, which also holds Africa Alive near Lowestoft.
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Child friendlyAccessible toiletsPlayground
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
Zoo in London
Battersea Park Children's Zoo is a zoo in London, United Kingdom. Things to do include Keeper Talks & Feeding Times, Adventure playgrounds, Zookeeper & Animal Experiences and sensory sandpit.
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Animal feeding experiencePlayground
Beale Wildlife Park
Zoo in Reading
The site has three strands: gardens and woodland, children's play areas, and collections of birds, farm stock and small exotics.
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Becky Falls Woodland Park
Zoo in Manaton
Beyond the waterfall, the site offers a children's zoo, a woodland trail and craft activities.
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Guided tourOn-site diningParking
Belfast Zoo
Zoo in Belfast
The 55-acre site occupies the north-eastern flank of Cavehill above the Antrim Road and holds more than 1,200 animals across 140 species. With over 300,000 visitors a year, it is among the region's leading paid attractions.
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Keeper talk or show
Birdworld
Zoo in Farnham
The grounds cover 11 hectares, divided into sections that combine flight halls, water features and aviaries, roughly 60 km south-west of central London. Facilities include a playground, a picnic area, eateries and shops. The collection works with EAZA and holds BIAZA accreditation.
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Education programOn-site diningNight and evening opening
Bristol Zoo Project
Zoo in Bristol
The site holds 25 species, 19 of them mammals and six birds. Its layout, first planned around biomes, ties particular ecosystems to conservation programmes. Nurseries on site still grow a third of the animals' food.
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Keeper talk or showChild friendlyOn-site dining
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Zoo in Berrynarbor
Live animals, among them meerkats and lemurs, are kept alongside animatronic dinosaurs. Its exhibits include Dinosaurus Playzone and Wild Play Area.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site dining
Dartmoor Zoological Park
Zoo in Plymouth
More than 73 species are kept, some of them endangered or critically endangered. Breeding species include the Asian short-clawed otter, the Amur leopard and the Carpathian lynx.
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Dudley Zoo & Castle
Zoo in Dudley
The zoo is now run by the Dudley and West Midlands Zoological Society, a charity set up in 1978.
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Behind-the-scenes tourAssistance animal policy
Edinburgh Zoo
Zoo in Edinburgh
The grounds occupy south-facing hill slopes with wide views over the city. The layout was modelled on the open design of Hagenbeck's park in Hamburg rather than on Victorian steel cages.
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Exmoor Zoological Park
Zoo in Barnstaple
Exmoor Zoological Park, opened in 1982, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Touch poolBehind-the-scenes tourGuided tour
Exploris Aquarium
Zoo & Aquarium in Newtownards
This is Northern Ireland's only public aquarium, standing on the Strangford Lough marine nature reserve, a major wintering spot for waders and seabirds. The lough holds close to 75% of Northern Ireland's marine species, among them common seals, basking sharks and brent geese.
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Playground
Five Sisters Zoo
Zoo in West Calder
The mammal collection includes arctic wolves, fishing cats, snow leopards, Scottish wildcats, red pandas, fossa, clouded leopards and cheetahs. Lions have been kept since 2015, when four males confiscated from a Belgian circus that was holding them unlawfully were taken in. The name comes from nearby shale bings.
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Rides and attractionsDisability admission concessionSensory and cognitive support
Folly Farm
Zoo in Kilgetty
The park now mixes a vintage indoor funfair, more than 200 zoo species and big play areas inside and out.
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Knowsley Safari
Zoo in Knowsley
The park works with universities in Liverpool, Chester and Manchester on conservation and research, and Channel 4 filmed Secret Life of the Safari Park on site. In January 2011 a peaceful animal-rights protest followed the finding by government vets of a single breach of by-product disposal rules.
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On-site dining
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis
Zoo in Beetham
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Keeper talk or showAssistance animal policyDisability admission concession
Lakes Aquarium
Zoo & Aquarium in Ulverston
Displays are grouped by region, covering the Lake District along with Asia, Africa and the Americas, and hold such species as axolotls, piranhas, tetras, Arctic char and seahorses. Windermere Lake Cruises call here, and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway terminates alongside. It ranks third among the paid-entry visitor attractions of Cumbria.
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Behind-the-scenes tourOn-site diningParking
Linton Zoo Conservation Park
Zoo in Linton
Linton Zoo Conservation Park is a zoo in Linton, United Kingdom. Things to do include Behind the Scenes with Binturongs and Behind the Scenes with the Giant Tortoises.
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Guided tourParkingAccessible toilets
Longleat
Zoo in Corsley
The park occupies the estate of Longleat House, a stately home open to visitors and the residence of the 8th Marquess of Bath. The safari areas take in an East African Reserve, Jungle Cruise, Monkey Temple, a giant otter and crocodile reserve, Animal Adventure and Koala Creek. The Longleat Railway is among the other attractions.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site diningParking
Newquay Zoo
Zoo in Newquay
The zoo stands within Trenance Leisure Park and was opened by the local district council on Whit Monday, 26 May 1969. As of January 2026 it held roughly 993 animals of about 36 species on 13 acres. It is the largest zoo in its county.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site diningDisability admission concession
Northumberland Zoo
Zoo in Morpeth
Northumberland Zoo is a zoo in Morpeth, United Kingdom.
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Animal feeding experienceBehind-the-scenes tourParking
Plantasia
Zoo in Swansea
Plantasia, opened in 1990, is a zoo in Swansea, United Kingdom. Animals on show include Meerkats, Egyptian Tortoises, reticulated python, Caiman Crocodiles and Koi Carp.
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Animal encounterOn-site diningParking
Ponderosa Zoo
Zoo in Heckmondwike
The site began in 1991 as a therapeutic centre in a rural setting, and was granted a licence to operate as a zoo in 2004. Animals on show include reindeer, lemurs, tortoises, lizards and meerkats.
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Keeper talk or showBehind-the-scenes tourOn-site dining
RZSS Highland Wildlife Park
Zoo in Highland
RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, opened in 1972, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include polar bears, wildcats, snow leopard and macaque.
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Animal encounterBehind-the-scenes tourParking
Shaldon Zoo
Zoo in Teignmouth
The trust occupies one acre of woodland above the village and belongs to both BIAZA and EAZA.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site dining
The Scottish Deer Centre
Zoo in Fife
The Scottish Deer Centre is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include Wolves, Lynx, Scottish Wildcat and European Brown Bear.
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Rides and attractionsOn-site diningParking
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Zoo in Mautby
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include snow leopards, red pandas, meerkats, tigers and leopards.
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Keeper talk or showBehind-the-scenes tourOn-site dining
Welsh Mountain Zoo
Zoo in Colwyn Bay
The grounds extend to 37 acres. Its opening, on 18 May 1963, was carried out by the naturalist Robert Jackson. Animals on show include snow leopards, red pandas, meerkats, chimpanzees and penguins.
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Behind-the-scenes tourDisability admission concessionGuided tour
Wingham Wildlife Park
Zoo in Wingham
Wingham Wildlife Park, opened in 1986, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include tigers, Asiatic lions, agoutis, squirrel monkeys and Gooty tarantulas.
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Africa Alive Zoological Reserve
Zoo in Lowestoft
A zoological collection given over to African species, on a site at Kessingland just off the A12, two miles from Lowestoft.
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Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park
Zoo in Gibraltar
Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park, opened in 2002, is a zoo in Gibraltar, United Kingdom.
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PlaygroundOn-site diningParking
Amazon World Zoo Park
Zoo in Newport
The collection is themed on the fauna of the Amazon. It began life as a private bird collection before opening to visitors year-round, and in 2024 it became a charity under the name Amazon Rainforest Conservation Centre.
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ParkingAccessible toiletsWheelchair accessible routes
Anglesey Sea Zoo
Zoo & Aquarium in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
Claiming to be the largest aquarium in Wales, it shows over 150 native species and sits just outside Brynsiencyn. Attractions include a conger eel, a shark pool and a kelp forest, along with the Lobster Hatchery of Wales.
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Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Zoo in Birmingham
The city council owns and manages the park, which takes part in EEP captive breeding for endangered animals and runs talks and campaigns on biodiversity.
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Keeper talk or showRides and attractionsGuided tour
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Zoo in Blairdrummond
More than 300 animals are kept across a 120-acre estate, many of them free-roaming. The season runs from mid-March to the end of December, and tickets are sold online only rather than at the gate.
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On-site diningParkingAssistance animal policy
Camperdown Wildlife Centre
Zoo in Dundee
Camperdown Wildlife Centre is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include European brown bears, ring‑tailed lemurs, meerkats and hyacinth macaws.
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Keeper talk or showRides and attractionsOn-site dining
Chester Zoo
Zoo in Upton by Chester
George Mottershead and his family opened the zoo in 1931; the North of England Zoological Society, a charity registered in 1934, has charge of it. Visitors have access to 51 hectares, part of an estate of roughly 160 hectares. Some 30,000 animals of more than 500 species are held, spanning every vertebrate class along with many invertebrate groups.
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Colchester Zoo
Zoo in Colchester
Australian Rainbows opened in the summer of 2014, in a building that had previously been an animal theatre. Its walk-through aviary allows nectar to be offered to rainbow lorikeets.
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Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Zoo in Hayle
The sanctuary lies beside the Helford River, next to the village of Gweek.
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Rides and attractionsBehind-the-scenes tourOn-site dining
Crocodiles Of The World
Zoo in Brize Norton
Crocodiles Of The World, opened in 2011, is a zoo in Brize Norton, United Kingdom.
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Animal encounterOn-site diningParking
Deep Sea World
Zoo in Inverkeithing
The aquarium is owned by the Spanish company Aspro Ocio Group, which also operates Blue Planet Aquarium and other European sites. Large sand tiger sharks are held, along with other shark species.
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Drusillas Park
Zoo in Polegate
Yearly visitors number between 350,000 and 370,000. Play areas are split between children under and over nine, and there is an indoor soft play, the daily Safari Express train and six further rides.
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On-site diningParkingAccessible toilets
Flamingo Land Resort
Zoo in Malton
The resort pairs a zoo with amusement rides, and has been owned and run by the Gibb family since 1978. Animals on show include penguins, lemurs, meerkats and giraffes.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site diningParking
Gauntlet Bird of Prey - Eagle and Vulture Park
Zoo in Cheshire East
Gauntlet Bird of Prey - Eagle and Vulture Park, opened in 1996, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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PlaygroundOn-site diningParking
Hamerton Zoo Park
Zoo in Hamerton and Steeple Gidding
Hamerton Zoo Park, opened in 1990, is a zoo in Hamerton and Steeple Gidding, United Kingdom.
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Guided tour
Hanwell Zoo
Zoo in London
Hanwell Zoo, opened in 1975, is a zoo in London, United Kingdom. Animals on show include porcupine, meerkats and Flamingos.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site dining
Hawk Conservancy Trust
Zoo in Andover
It sits at Weyhill in Hampshire, close to the A303, and holds over 130 birds of prey across 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow. It was begun as a zoo by the farmer Reg Smith with his wife Hilary and became a trust in 2002.
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Animal encounterRides and attractionsBehind-the-scenes tour
Hertfordshire Zoo
Zoo in Broxbourne
More than 800 animals are kept and shown in themed exhibits. It is run by the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire, a registered charity with the number 1108609. The site has featured in the CBBC programme One Zoo Three.
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Animal encounterDisability admission concession
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Zoo in Canterbury
The house on the estate was under restoration in 1962, and the animal collection admitted the public from 1975. A second estate at Port Lympne, near Hythe, was bought in 1973 and opened as a zoo in 1976.
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Animal encounterIndoor spacesDisability admission concession
Lake District Wildlife Park
Zoo in Blindcrake
Lake District Wildlife Park is a zoo in Blindcrake, United Kingdom. Animals on show include osprey, Macaw, Meerkat, Bush Dog and lemurs.
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Animal feeding experiencePlaygroundKeeper talk or show
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Zoo in Boston
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is a zoo in Friskney, United Kingdom. Animals on show include Bengal Tigers, White Tiger, Lynx, White Lion and Parrots.
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Child friendlyOn-site diningDisability admission concession
Marwell Zoo
Zoo in Eastleigh
The zoo is owned by the registered charity Marwell Wildlife and keeps over 500 animals of 145 species.
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Keeper talk or show
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Zoo in Wraxall
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, opened in 1998, is a zoo in Wraxall, United Kingdom.
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On-site dining
Northumberland College Zoo
Zoo in Ponteland
The zoo occupies part of a 400-acre college campus shared with Kirkley Hall, and is run by the college. More than 200 species are kept.
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Keeper talk or showRides and attractionsOn-site dining
Paradise Wildlife Park
Zoo in Broxbourne
Paradise Wildlife Park, opened in 1973, is a zoo in Broxbourne, Herts, East of England, United Kingdom. Animals on show include Humboldt's Penguins, macaws, Caribbean flamingos, eagles and Red pandas.
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Keeper talk or showEducation programDisability admission concession
Peak Wildlife Park
Zoo in Leek
Peak Wildlife Park, opened in 1991, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Things to do include Daily Capybara Talks and Peak Air Stamp Trail.
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Pensthorpe
Zoo
Pensthorpe is a zoo in United Kingdom. Its exhibits include Millennium Garden and Biosonification Garden.
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On-site diningDisability admission concession
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park
Zoo in Hythe
John Aspinall bought the Edwardian mansion estate in 1973, the purchase intended to relieve crowding at nearby Howletts. The park opened to visitors in 1976.
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Shepreth Wildlife Park
Zoo in Shepreth
Shepreth Wildlife Park, opened in 1984, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Tropiquaria
Zoo in Watchet
The attraction started in 1989 at Washford Cross, 16 miles from Taunton and nine from Minehead. It occupies the 1930s art deco transmitter hall of the BBC's Washford station, Grade II listed since 1984. Most of the old hall had become surplus to the BBC in 1981, once smaller equipment moved to a new building behind.
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Keeper talk or showGuided tourOn-site dining
West Midlands Safari Park
Zoo in Worcestershire
West Midlands Safari Park, opened in 1973, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include Meerkat, Humboldt penguins, lorikeets, giraffe and Zebra Foals.
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Animal encounterOn-site diningAccessible toilets
Wetheriggs Zoo and Animal Sanctuary
Zoo in Greta Bridge
The site now sits on the A66 just outside Barnard Castle, County Durham. It accepts most kinds of animal, though not domestic cats or dogs, and runs on public donations.
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Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Zoo in Sandown
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, opened in 1950, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Rides and attractionsOn-site diningParking
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Zoo in Auckley
It holds 500 animals of 100 species on about 100 acres of a former 260-acre visitor centre and riding school property.
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Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park
Zoo in Askham Bryan
Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include White Lipped Tamarin, Barn Owl, Blood Python, Common Marmoset and Eclectus Parrot.
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Keeper talk or showPlaygroundPicnic area
Blackpool Zoo
Zoo in Blackpool
Blackpool Zoo, opened in 1972, is a zoo in Blackpool, United Kingdom.
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Calderglen Zoo
Zoo in South Lanarkshire
Calderglen Zoo, opened in 1982, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include meerkats, wallabies, coatis and otters.
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On-site diningParking
Chessington World of Adventures
Zoo in Chessington
Chessington World of Adventures, opened in 1931, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Keeper talk or show
Millets Wildside
Zoo
Millets Wildside is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include Eagles, Buzzards, Hawks, Falcons and Owls.
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Child friendlyParkingAccessible toilets
Pettitts Adventure Park
Zoo in Norwich
Pettitts Adventure Park, opened in 1922, is a petting zoo in Norwich, United Kingdom.
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Animal encounterBehind-the-scenes tour
The Fenn Bell Conservation Project
Zoo
The Fenn Bell Conservation Project is a zoo in United Kingdom. Things to do include Meerkat Encounter, Lemur Encounter, Fox Encounter and Keeper For A Day.
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On-site diningParkingAccessible toilets
The Living Rainforest
Zoo in Hampstead Norreys
The Living Rainforest, opened in 1993, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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Accessible toiletsAssistance animal policyMobility equipment loan
Twycross Zoo
Zoo in Norton-Juxta-Twycross
Annual attendance sits near 700,000. The zoo is designated a World Primate Centre and holds one of Europe's biggest primate collections.
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Keeper talk or showParkingAccessible toilets
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
Zoo
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include oyster catchers, giant water buffalo and barn owls.
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Woburn Safari Park
Zoo in Bedford
It covers 360 acres within ducal estates that also take in the abbey and a 3,000-acre deer park, with animals ranging loose while cars pass through the enclosures. A 40-acre leisure zone offers keeper talks, petting areas, a shop, a restaurant and a Go Ape course.
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Keeper talk or show
Woodside Wildlife Park
Zoo in Newball CP
Woodside Wildlife Park is a zoo in Newball CP, United Kingdom.
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Parking
Berkshire College of Agriculture
Zoo in Maidenhead
Berkshire College of Agriculture, opened in 1949, is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include Tawny Frogmouth, Pygmy Slow Loris, Ring Tailed Lemur, Red-Eyed Leaf Frog and Cape Porcupine.
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ParkingAccessible toiletsAssistance animal policy
Drayton Manor Zoo
Zoo in Staffordshire
Drayton Manor Zoo, opened in 1949, is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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London Zoo
Zoo in London
The zoo opened on 27 April 1828, first as a scientific collection, with the general public admitted from 1847. Peak figures reached three million visitors a year and more than 900 species on show.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site dining
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Zoo in Paignton
As of January 2026 the zoo keeps roughly 1,876 animals of about 189 species on an 80-acre site. It began as Herbert Whitley's private collection at his home, Primley House, and opened to the public in 1923 under the name Primley Zoological Gardens. After Whitley died in 1955 it passed to a charitable trust that later became the Wild Planet Trust.
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The Big Cat Sanctuary
Zoo
The Big Cat Sanctuary is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include puma, Eurasian Lynx, White Lion, Fishing Cat and Asian Golden Cat.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site diningParking
Trentham Monkey Forest
Zoo
Trentham Monkey Forest is a zoo in United Kingdom.
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ParkingAccessible toilets
Golders Hill Park Zoo
Zoo in London
Golders Hill Park Zoo is a zoo in London, United Kingdom. Animals on show include Ring-tailed Lemurs, Red-necked wallabies, Scottish Wildcat, Kookaburras and Fallow deer.
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Sewerby Zoo
Zoo in Bridlington
Sewerby Zoo is a zoo in Bridlington, United Kingdom. Animals on show include guinea pigs, micropigs, sika deer, Cameroon sheep and capuchin monkeys.
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Shuttleworth College (Zoological Education Centre)
Zoo
Shuttleworth College (Zoological Education Centre) is a zoo in United Kingdom. Animals on show include Giant African Bull Frog, Aquatic Blue Caecilian, Giant Cane Toads, Salamanders and emus.
Our ranking methodology
This is not a ranking. The 96 venues above are listed alphabetically by name, the same order used throughout this site. We do not collect visitor reviews, star ratings, ticket-sales figures or a conservation-impact score, so none of those exist here to rank by — “best” in this page’s title means every venue that qualifies for this list, not first-to-last by quality. If we ever add a data source robust enough to support an honest ranking, this note and the order above will change together.