Looking for the perfect family adventure? Or are you simply a lover of nature and animals, or a tourist who’s looking for fun places to visit in the UK? Zoos are your best bet. Not only would they provide an educational experience for your kids, but they are also fun places to visit.
There are many zoos in the UK. It could be an arduous task trying to determine which the best zoo to visit is. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the top ten best zoos in the UK, with a bonus. Each zoo we have selected has its unique feature and is known for providing excellent value for money. Although they vary in size and location, each one is perfect for a fantastic family outing experience.
It was established in 1828, making it the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It was formerly intended as a hub for scientific studies until it was opened up to the public in 1847. This UK zoo is situated in Regent’s Park. Thus, it is also called Regent’s Park Zoo.
London zoo is one of the zoos in England with the largest collection of animals. It is home to about 750 species of animals with 19,289 individual animals. One would find many types of animal there. London Zoo is the first UK zoo to launch an Insect House, a Reptile House, an aquarium, and a children’s zoo.
It is famous for its walkthrough spider enclosure, which is the only one to be found in the UK. This may be something to look forward to or to avoid like the plague, depending on how you see it. If you cannot stand spiders, perhaps, the Land of Lions would be a better option for you. It is the zoo’s newest and most exciting exhibit that allows visitors to view the mighty Asiatic lions.
To top it off, this zoo has a Penguin Beach with the largest collection of penguins in England. There are also attractive penguin shows that could be enjoyed by every member of the family.
Ticket Prices Online: Adults – £21.81; Children above 3 – £15.91; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.zsl.org
It is the most visited zoo in the UK. It has been ranked among the top fifteen best zoos in the world. Situated at Upton by Cheshire, England, it is one of the largest zoos in the UK at 125 acres. Chester Zoo could be said to be the best zoo in the UK. It has over 400 animal species with 12,000 individual creatures. One would need a full day to see all that this zoo has to offer.
If you want a quick trip around the world, then Chester Zoo is perfect for you. The experience at this zoo is made more fantastic with its monorail and circular boat trips on the Lazy River. Its major exhibits include Elephants of the Asian Forest, Spirit of the Jaguar, and Realm of the Red Ape. It also has dogs’ conserve and some islands.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £14.72; Children above 3 – £11.86; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.chesterzoo.org
Although this zoo is not as big as some of the others, it is one of the best UK zoos. Situated in Bristol, England, this modest 12-acre zoo is home to over 450 species and over 7000 individual creatures. It has a fantastic mammal collection with about 50 species of animals like gorillas, Asiatic lions, and red pandas. Its major exhibits include an indoor insect and reptile house and aquarium, and a seal and penguin enclosure on the outside. This zoo also boasts of many islands. It is home to animals like spider monkeys, tamarins, gorillas, gibbons, and marmosets.
Bristol Zoo is famous for its indoor Twilight Zone which is the first of its kind.’
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £14.53; Children above 2 – £9.09; Children under 2 – Free entry
Website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Covering 600 acres, Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo in the UK and one of the largest wildlife conservation parks in Europe. Due to its size, visitors are allowed to use the zoo’s bus and train service, or drive their cars between animal enclosures.
It is situated in Whipsnade, near Dunstable, England, and is home to over 200 species and 6000 animals. Some of these animals are endangered species. What makes this zoo one of the best in the UK is its roaming herds of elephants moving freely around the zoo.
Its major exhibits include the Lions of the Serengeti, In with the Lemurs, and Passage through Asia. It also has a butterfly house that provides the most delightful experience for children.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £25; Children above 3 – £18; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo
It is one of the best zoos in the UK because of how child-friendly it is. It is situated in Colchester, Essex, England. This 60-acre zoological garden is home to over 270 species and over 5000 animals, some of which are endangered species.
Its major exhibits include Orangutan Forest, Edge of Africa, Dragons of Komodo, and Wilds of Asia. It also boasts of about 50 daily displays and 5 play areas (4 adventure play areas and 1 soft play area). The Madagascar Express Road Train is something every child is guaranteed to enjoy. So is the Butterfly Glade which is home to many multicoloured winged creatures. Also, the Playa Patagonia, which is a 24-metre underwater tunnel which houses 5 female Patagonia sea lions, is a remarkable sight.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £21.99; Children above 3 – £14.99; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.colchesterzoo.co.uk
This 140-acre zoo is situated in Colden Common near Winchester in Hampshire County. It is home to over 270 endangered and exotic species and over 1,200 animals like giraffes, frilled lizards, and ring-tailed coatis. Its beautiful landscapes guarantee a delightful experience.
Its major exhibits include the Tropical World, Life in the Trees, African Valley, and Roof of the World. The zoo’s largest display, the Wild Explorers, boasts of the most remarkable displays of African wildlife.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £17.26; Children above 3 – £13.62; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.marwell.org.uk
It is an 82-acre zoo park in the UK. It is situated in Corstorphine, a suburb of Edinburgh, which is Scotland’s capital city. It is home to over 170 species and 1300 animals. The distinguishing feature of this zoo is that it is the only UK zoo to house giant pandas and koalas. The zoo gardens also have the most diverse tree collections in the Lothians.
Its major exhibits include giant pandas, sun bears, koalas, penguins, and chimpanzees. Some of its main animal highlights include a baby chimpanzee in the Budongo Trail enclosure. Others include the famous daily penguin parades, Indian rhinos, a baby tapir, and sun bears.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £17; Children above 3 – £12.50; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Situated in Paignton, Devon, in England, this 80-acre zoo is a combined zoo and botanical garden. It is home to about 300 species of animals and over 2000 creatures. It also houses 1600 different species of plant.
Its major exhibits include Crocodile Swamp, Desert House, Monkey Heights, and Reptile Tropics. Animals on displays include Asian lions, lar gibbons, great grey owls, and golden pheasants.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £14.72; Children above 3 – £11.86; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
It is situated near Canterbury, Kent, England. Formerly set up as a private zoo, the zoo was later opened up to the public in 1975. The most distinguishing feature of this zoo is its breeding of rare and endangered species. It is home to over 44 species and over 450 animals.
This zoo is famous for having some of the largest gorilla family groups in the world. It is also home to the largest breeding herd of African elephants in the UK. It also has one of the biggest breeding groups of lion-tailed macaques in the world.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £10.95; Children above 3 – £8.25; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.aspinallfoundation.org
It is a zoological garden covering 37 acres of land. It is situated near the town of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County, Wales. It boasts of a species list of animals like the Bactrian camel, fallow deer, margay, Przewalski wild horse, and snow leopard. It is home to birds like domestic ducks, scarlet and green-winged macaw, and common shelduck.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £10.95; Children above 3 – £8.25; Children under 3 – Free entry
Website: www.welshmountainzoo.org
This zoo is perfect for a family day out, excursion, and unique keeper experiences. It is the only crocodile zoo in the UK. It boasts of a collection of endangered Siamese crocodiles, Chinese alligators, and Nile crocodile. From underwater viewing to animal encounters in safe environments and feeds, this zoo guarantees the most memorable experience.
Ticket Price Online: Adults – £8.95; Children above 2 – £6.50; Children under 2 – Free entry
Website: www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk
Last Word
With this list, you no longer have an excuse of not having that family outing you’ve dreamed of. Give your kids a memorable day out by visiting any of the above zoos. Your family will enjoy the experience!
