20 of the Best and Biggest Zoos in the UK
A day out to the zoo is a UK family favourite, and luckily, we’re spoilt for choice, with safari parks, zoos, and conservation parks dotted all over. So, how do you choose the best zoo in the UK? It’s a tricky one, but below, we’ve listed 20 of the highest-rated zoos, which all put a big focus on conservation and education, with your ticket price helping to support ongoing efforts.
From pigmy goats to tigers and elephants, you’re sure to see something new while visiting any of these zoos and wildlife parks. Here are our recommendations for the best zoos in the UK and nearby campsites to relax after a day of exploring.
1. Newquay Zoo, Cornwall
The only place in Cornwall where you can see a lion is Newquay Zoo, which is home to wild and wonderful animals from across the world. There are over 1,000 animals to see, including lemurs, sloths, primates, otters and a wide range of birds. Located in the vibrant seaside town of Newquay, there are plenty of other attractions to visit, including the beautiful Cornwall beaches.
Where to stay: Newquay Zoo is an 11-minute drive from Tregurrian Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Cornwall.
2. Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Two million people visit Chester Zoo each year to see over 35,000 animals from all corners of the globe. Bears, elephants, orangutans, cheetahs and buffalos are some of the large animals you’ll see during your visit. Chester Zoo also boasts beautiful botanical gardens. The Enrichment Garden grows plants for the animals at the zoo, and the Bee Garden gives bumbling bees plenty of their favourite flowers and nesting places. You can also see the Cacti National Plant Collection, which is jam-packed with over 1,500 prickly, flowering species. For more information, check out this ultimate guide to Chester Zoo.
Where to stay: Chester Zoo is a 24-minute drive from Delamere Forest Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Cheshire.
3. Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire
Twycross Zoo, in Atherstone, puts conservation at the forefront of everything they do. You’ll learn more about how Twycross is doing its bit to support wildlife as you move around the zoo, visiting the carnivores, primates, and mammals of all sizes. This is the only zoo where you can see all types of great apes, and there are over 125 species of larger animals to see, from Amur leopards to alpacas and agile gibbons. To learn more about the zoo, check out our ultimate guide to Twycross Zoo.
Where to stay: Twycross Zoo is a 24-minute drive from Kingsbury Water Park Club Site.
4. Dartmoor Zoo, Plymouth
Dartmoor Zoo is the animal park where the film “We Bought A Zoo” is centred on. The family-run zoo not only has a great story behind it, but it also makes for a fantastic day out. Visit incredible animals, from tigers and tapirs to owls and otters. Remember to make time for the daily feeding and zookeeper talks, during which you’ll be able to learn loads about each animal and ask questions.
Where to stay: Dartmoor Zoo is a 26-minute drive from California Cross Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Plymouth.
5. Peak Wildlife Park, Leek
For those camping in the Peak District, Peak Wildlife Park makes a great family-friendly day out. Unique animal walk-throughs allow you to take a stroll with the resident penguins, lemurs and wallabies, feeding them as you go. Zebra, meerkats, pigs, deer and rabbits are just a few of the other animals you’ll get to meet during your visit. There are delicious food options available to help you refuel, as well as an indoor and outdoor play area to help kids burn off any extra steam before you head back to your campsite.
Where to stay: Peak Wildlife Park is a 7-minute drive from our Alton, The Star Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in the Peak District.
6. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Devon
With over 80 acres to explore, 2000 animals to meet and thousands of plants to see, you’ll love a family day out at Paignton Zoo. The zoo is a registered charity which supports a number of projects in the UK and globally that aim to end animal endangerment and species decline. During your visit, you’ll get to see animals roaming around, enjoy tasty foods and drinks, walk through Paignton Zoo’s Nature Trail, visit the shops, watch animal feeding, and much more. Depending on what time of year you visit, you can also see their seasonal events.
Where to stay: Paignton Zoo is a 30-minute drive from California Cross Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Devon.
7. Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown
Head to the beautiful Sandown Beach to visit the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, which is well-known for rescuing big cats. The zoo is built within the grounds of an old Victorian fort, making for a unique setting ideal for exploring the coast before or after your visit. Lions, tigers, lemurs and racoons are some of the mammals that call the zoo home. There are also farm animals, bees, birds, reptiles and many more to see during your visit.
For places to stay nearby, discover campsites on the Isle of Wight.
8. Marwell Zoo, Winchester
Marwell Zoo, in the heart of Hampshire, is without a doubt one of the best zoos in the UK. The park covers 140 acres, so it’s recommended you set aside at least half a day to visit the animals. There are 100s of different species to see at Marwell Zoo, including giraffes, leopards, hippos and capybara. You’ll certainly work up an appetite during your visit, so stop by at the cafes or bring your own picnic and enjoy your home-cooked meal at the picnic areas.
Where to stay: Marwell Zoo is a 44-minute drive from Verwood Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Hampshire.
9. Howletts Wild Animal Park, Canterbury
At Howletts Wild Animal Park, you can see the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, join the keepers on an animal encounter or get the chance to feed the animals. With over 450 creatures that call the zoo home, many of which are endangered in the wild, Howletts Wild Animal Park is one of the best family attractions in Kent.
Where to stay: Howletts Wild Animal Park is an 8-minute drive from our Canterbury Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Canterbury.
10. Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Zoo, which used to be home to the only pandas in the UK, is still one of the biggest and best zoos in the country. You can visit plenty of animals at the zoo, including koalas, tigers, penguins and monkeys. Edinburgh Zoo focuses on education with regular feedings and talks throughout the day. Walk among wallabies at Wallaby Outback, meet three types of penguins at Penguins Rock and see chimpanzees on the Budongo Trail. When you’ve had your fill of animals, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and kiosks around the zoo as well as picnic and play areas. Check out this guide to Edinburgh Zoo for more information.
Where to stay: Edinburgh Zoo is a 46-minute drive from our Dunbar Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites near Edinburgh.
11. Chessington World of Adventures Zoo, Greater London
There are over 1,000 animals in the zoo and SEA LIFE centre at Chessington World of Adventures. Head to The Trail of the Kings to see gorillas and lions, try to avoid the splashes in Sea Lion Bay and look out for towering giraffes in Zufari: Ride into Africa! In the SEA LIFE centre, you’ll see sharks in the ocean tunnel, turtles from the Amazon and all manner of sea creatures in The Reef.
Where to stay: Chessington World of Adventures Zoo is a 23-minute drive from our Walton on Thames Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in London.
12. Cotswolds Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire
Get up close to fascinating animals at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Explore the Giraffe Walkway to see eye to eye with the tallest inhabitants at the zoo, visit some of the fiercest lions and see some of the smallest in the amphibian collection. Once you’ve seen the animals, take some time to explore the well-tended gardens; they’re truly a beautiful way to end a visit to the park.
Where to stay: Cotswolds Wildlife Park is a 20-minute drive from our Chipping Norton Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Oxfordshire.
13. Colchester Zoo, Essex
Meet an array of weird and wonderful animals at Colchester Zoo. Set in 60 acres of stunning parkland and lakes, the zoo is home to over 160 rare species, including sun bears, rhinos, giraffes, penguins and flamingos. One of Essex’s most popular attractions, this is the perfect day out for all the family to enjoy.
Where to stay: Colchester Zoo is a 50-minute drive from Kelvedon Hatch Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Essex.
14. London Zoo, The Regent's Park
The oldest zoo in England, London Zoo is in the heart of London and operated by ZSL, a charity known for its devotion to ongoing wildlife conservation work. The zoo spans 36 acres in the very scenic Regent’s Park and is home to around 16,000 animals. Learn fascinating facts about different species from expert zoo-keepers and knowledgeable volunteers. Meet an array of animals from around the world, including giant pandas, tigers, monkeys, giraffes, and so much more. Walking around a zoo can be thirsty work, so London Zoo has a collection of restaurants and cafés offering tasty food and drinks, or for those sunnier days, take a trip to the ice-cream kiosk.
Where to stay: London Zoo is a 54-minute drive from Hertford Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in London.
15. Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire
Covering 600 acres of ground in the glorious Bedfordshire countryside, Whipsnade Zoo is home to the biggest zoo in the UK, and it is one of Europe’s largest wildlife conservation parks. Whipsnade Zoo is owned by ZSL and is known for its conservation work and striving to protect endangered species. Housing 10,000 animals, Whipsnade Zoo has an extensive range of species to see, including a herd of African elephants to red pandas. The zoo has plenty of areas to enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing beverage. The zoo’s ‘Base Camp Restaurant’ offers tasty food, including vegan and veggie options and meals for kids.
Where to stay: Whipsnade Zoo is around an hour from St Neots Club Site.
16. Hertfordshire Zoo, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Zoo is a registered charity which raises funds to support wildlife conservation projects in the UK and globally. On your visit, you can see a range of animals, from large cats such as the Amur tiger and snow leopard to smaller mammals such as meerkats and otters. That’s not all. The zoo is also home to the world of dinosaurs, where you can step back in time and see the magnificent creatures who roamed the earth. Check the website before booking your trip, as you can save money and attend the annual events.
Where to stay: Hertfordshire Zoo is a 14-minute drive from Hertford Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites near Hertfordshire.
17. Blackpool Zoo, Lancashire
Blackpool is known for more than its beaches and promenades. The seaside town also has a brilliant zoo, which is loved by locals and visitors. With over 1,000 animals calling Blackpool Zoo home, you’ll get the chance to see gorillas, orangutans, giraffes, sea lions, African lions, elephants, and much more.
Where to stay: Blackpool Zoo is 50 minutes from Clitheroe Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Lancashire.
18. Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
Visit the UK’s number one walk-through wildlife adventure park, which focuses heavily on conservation. This zoo is home to the largest collection of polar bears in England, and it's part of the Polar Project, which is a project designed for the welfare and conservation of polar bears. Along with meeting the largest living land carnivores on earth, you can also meet lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, red pandas and much more on your trip. Make sure you check out the feeding times, so you can see all the animals in action and learn more about them through the zookeeper talks. For more information, check out our guide to Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Where to stay: Yorkshire Wildlife Park is less than an hour away from Crowden Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in South Yorkshire.
19. Wingham Wildlife Park, Kent
With 26 acres and over 200 species, Wingham Wildlife Park is one of the largest zoos in Kent. Not only can you meet the animals that roam around the park, but little ones can also run wild in the outdoor and indoor play areas. You can also book animal experiences where you’ll get the chance to be a keeper for the day and have special access to the animal enclosures.
Where to stay: Wingham Wildlife Park is a 12-minute drive from Canterbury Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Kent.
20. Suffolk Wildlife Park, Suffolk
Formerly known as Africa Alive, this incredible wildlife park has hundreds of animals waiting to meet you. From large mammals, such as the water buffalo, to smaller birds, such as black cheeked lovebird – you’ll get to see them all. For those who want to get up close and personal with the animals, experiences are available to book. Here, you can become a keeper for the day and look after the lions, giraffes, rhinos and other animals at Suffolk Wildlife Park.
Where to stay: Suffolk Wildlife Park is a minute away from Kessingland Club Site. For more places to stay, check out campsites in Suffolk.
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