21 amazing places to take animal-mad kids
Get some day trip inspiration with our round-up of 21 brilliant places around the UK that are perfect for animal-mad kids.
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
Southern England
1 Bristol Zoo
When: all year round
A visit to Bristol Zoo in Clifton, Bristol is an adventure into an exciting animal kingdom. Explore the grounds and come face-to-face with over 400 species of exotic, endangered and adorable animals from around the world.
2 ZSL London Zoo
When: all year round
London Zoo has an incredible range of animals, from tiny fruit bats to majestic tigers.
Why not let your kids be zoo keepers for the day and get close to the animals ... or enjoy a London Zoo sleepover.
3 Crocodiles of the World, Brize Norton
When: all year round
For kids who have a love for lizards, Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire is the place to visit.
Home to more than 100 crocodiles and alligators as well as monitor lizards, snakes and other reptiles, it's sure to entertain the whole family.
4 Bocketts Farm, Leatherhead, Surrey
When: all year round
Farm animals are always a firm favourite with little ones. At Bocketts Farm in Leatherhead, Surrey your kids can watch the pig race, take a pony ride, cuddle cute rabbits and feed the animals.
There are also indoor and outdoor play areas and a cafe.
5 Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex
When: all year round
Widely known as the best small zoo in Europe, Drusillas Park in Alfriston, East Sussex offers a fun day out that includes hundreds of exotic animals from sloths and meerkats to penguins and pandas.
Your kids will also love all the themed adventure play areas in the park.
Northern England and Yorkshire
6 Chester Zoo
When: all year round
Chester Zoo has something for everyone. From hundreds of animals, big and small to exciting play areas, it's the perfect place for a fun day out with the family.
7 The Deep, Hull
When: all year round
For kids who love sea animals, The Deep in Hull is an award winning aquarium that’s just a short stroll from the marina and city centre.
It's home to all kinds of sea creatures and is the perfect place for little ones to learn more about the ocean and the animals that live in it.
8 Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot
When: all year round
Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot is the perfect safari park to visit, no matter what the weather. Drive around and see the lions, giraffes, monkeys, elephants and many more animals.
Then park the car and visit the sea lion and birds of prey shows, lake, reptile house and amusement park.
9 Bill Quay Community Farm, Gateshead
When: all year round
To visit some farm animals, why not head out to Bill Quay Community Farm in Gateshead.
The farm is home to all the traditional farm animals like sheep and pigs as well as smaller animals like rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and chinchillas.
10 Smithills Open Farm, Bolton
When: all year round
If your little one loves small, cuddly animals, Smithills Open Farm in Bolton, Greater Manchester has got you covered.
Your kids can hold chicks, rabbits, guinea pigs and other baby animals. They can have a ride on a donkey and bottle feed lambs too.
There are also play areas and two bouncy castles for them to enjoy.
11 Shepherds Place Farm, Doncaster
When: all year round
Introduce your children to the lives of farm animals at Shepherds Place Farm in Haxey, Doncaster.
Meet animals from around the world, learn how to hold and care for guinea pigs and rabbits and then hear about the life cycle of eggs in the incubator room.
Eastern England
12 Colchester Zoo
When: all year round
From animals furry and small to animals big and tall, Colchester Zoo in Stanway, Colchester has them all.
During your visit you'll see species from around the world and learn more about them at daily encounters. You can also watch the animals being fed.
Midlands
13 Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
When: all year round
Set in 30 acres of beautiful woodland, Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire is home to over 400 exotic wild animals including white lions, wallabies and snow leopards.
It also has the largest collection of small monkeys in the UK ... and the largest anaconda.
14 Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, Warwickshire
When: all year round
Enjoy watching hundreds of the world's most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying around at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm in Warwickshire.
Let your little ones marvel at the life cycle of the caterpillar and see them feeding and flying in a tropical environment.
15 Tropical Birdland, Leicestershire
When: all year round
For kids who love birds, Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire has over 600 birds, including macaws, parrots, parakeets and toucans. There's also a fun play area and great picnic area to stop and have a snack.
16 Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucester
When: all year round
A relaxed park where the birds and deer roam free, Prinknash Bird and Deer Park in Cranham, Gloucester is a great place to take the little ones for a quiet day out.
Meet the beautiful peacocks and other birds before heading out to see the adorable deer and their babies.
Scotland
17 Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling
When: all year round
Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling is home to local and exotic animals everyone will love. See all the amazing animals in the wildlife park before heading to the adventure park and attractions to have a play.
18 Deep Sea World, Fife
When: all year round
For an underwater adventure, take a trip to Deep Sea World in North Queensferry, Fife. Dive in and see the sea creatures from the UK’s longest underwater viewing tunnel.
From huge sharks to tiny clown fish, the aquarium houses more than 2,000 sea animals.
Wales
19 Animalarium, Ceredigion
When: all year round
If you and your little ones love to see lots of different animals then Animalarium in Borth, Ceredigion is the place to visit.
You can see everything from monkeys and leopards to snakes and spiders. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas for little ones to enjoy.
Northern Ireland
20 The Ark Open Farm, County Down
When: all year round
If you're looking for somewhere for your kids to cuddle rabbits and feed goats, take a trip to The Ark Open Farm in Newtownards, County Down.
The farm has about 200 farm animals of all kinds and kids can get up close and have lots of interaction with them. There's also an indoor play area for them to enjoy.
21 Belfast Zoo
When: all year round
What child doesn't love a day out at the zoo? You can head to Belfast Zoo which is only a few miles outside Belfast City Centre for a fun day out.
From land animals like cheetahs and lions to great swimmers like penguins and sea lion, you'll see them all before heading to the play area.
