Best area in the UK for zoo's?

Charles

Charles

Well-Known Member
Just curious what area of the UK has the most zoo's as i have some time off and want to visit as any as i can
 
East Kent springs to mind. A loose cluster of two Aspinall parks, Wingham and Wildwood, all in fairly close proximity.
 
Devon is another option. You have Paignton, Shaldon and Exmoor with are highly regarded on here. There is also Axe Valley, the other Wildwood site and Comber Martin. I assume you will be driving. Although in the same county, some of those are still some distance apart.


A leftfield option (as it is definitely not a touristy area) if you are only considering access to zoos would be somewhere around Milton Keynes It puts you half way between Cotswold Wildlife Park and Hamerton (both very highly rated on here) so both could be visited. Whipsnade and Woburn Safari Park are also both close by.
 
Uncertain about your preferred distance for driving. The Midlands area is a suitable option. You could visit Dudley Zoo, Birmingham Wildlife Park (though it's quite small), and then proceed to Bristol Wildlife Project, Twycross Zoo, and Chester Zoo. The simplest approach is to open Google Maps, search for zoos, and get a visual representation of the distances available. Then, you can pick where you want to stay.
 
We stayed in Woodhall Spa, LN10 area last year August.
And had 4 very near there, I'm sure that's a few more if you venture out a bit further then we did.
We went to these (all small parks though):
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
- ARK Wildlife Park
- Wolds Wildlife Park
- Woodside Wildlife

We stayed at Allhallows/Kent almost 2 years ago, and I know there are quite a few other places to visit in that area, but these are the ones we managed to do in our 7-day stay.
- Fenn Bell
- Howletts
- Hemleys
- Wingham
- Port Lympe


We live right in the middle of England, and are quite lucky to have many between 45 min to just under 2 hours drive.
Hamerton, Dudley, Birmingham, Linton, Chester, Paradise Wildlife, Hoo Zoo, Peak Wildlife, Cotswolds, Twycross, Yorkshire Wildlife, Drayton Manor.
And quite possibly a few others I've forgot to mention or just don't know about.
 
For me, I have always been of the belief that the Southwest is the best region in the country. Between the counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, you have such zoos as Paignton, Exmoor, Newquay and Bristol Zoo Project, as well as the likes of Noah's Ark, Shaldon, Combe Martin, Axe Valley, Tropiquaria, Dartmoor and Wildwood Escot. There are also plenty of lovely aquaria in this region, including the nation's largest in Plymouth, the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay and the Bristol Aquarium. Although they are technically in Gloucestershire and Dorset respectively, Slimbridge Wetland Centre and Monkey World are also easily accessible from the Southwest and are some of the best specialist collections in the country (arguably the best in their respective specialities). And, to top that all of, it may be the best region of the country for wildlife and nature, with plenty of excellent nature reserves, multiple national parks and some wonderful wildlife throughout its many coastlines and beaches. Back when Living Coasts and Bristol Zoo Gardens were still open it was even better, but even still it remains excellent.
 
I live in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Easy access to the M6 so there's very simply routes to Blackpool Zoo, Knowsley Safari, Chester Zoo and South Lakes Safari Zoo. Nothing exceedingly close but it's got good transport options.
 
If purely looking to add additions to your life list of collections visited I would suggest that East Coast might be a good idea. Amazona Zoo, Banham Zoo, Africa Alive, Thrigby, Colchester, Jimmy's Farm etc.
Also easy to strike in coast also for Hamerton, Linton, Shepreth, Johnson's of Oldhurst etc.

If looking for the "best" zoos however, then the South West is hard to beat for reasons others have explained. But i suspect you may be based that way anyway from your posting history.
 
Skukuza said:
If purely looking to add additions to your life list of collections visited I would suggest that East Coast might be a good idea. Amazona Zoo, Banham Zoo, Africa Alive, Thrigby, Colchester, Jimmy's Farm etc.
Also easy to strike in coast also for Hamerton, Linton, Shepreth, Johnson's of Oldhurst etc.

If looking for the "best" zoos however, then the South West is hard to beat for reasons others have explained. But i suspect you may be based that way anyway from your posting history.
Click to expand...
Add Baytree, Bug Parc, Hunstanton Sea Life Centre, Watatunga, Pensthorpe, Ark and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park- the East is swimming in zoos lol
 
sloggervlogger said:
Uncertain about your preferred distance for driving. The Midlands area is a suitable option. You could visit Dudley Zoo, Birmingham Wildlife Park (though it's quite small), and then proceed to Bristol Wildlife Project, Twycross Zoo, and Chester Zoo. The simplest approach is to open Google Maps, search for zoos, and get a visual representation of the distances available. Then, you can pick where you want to stay.
Click to expand...
I think the West Midlands is one of the best areas, as you’ve got Dudley, BWCP and the UK’s only sea otters in Birmingham, WMSP and Twycross very close by, then Chester and Peak Wildlife Park are pretty easy to get to as well (assuming the trains are running).
 
pendraig_milnerae said:
I think the West Midlands is one of the best areas, as you’ve got Dudley, BWCP and the UK’s only sea otters in Birmingham, WMSP and Twycross very close by, then Chester and Peak Wildlife Park are pretty easy to get to as well (assuming the trains are running).
Click to expand...
It’s a little further afield but you could also add Knowsley Safari Park to that list too
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top