The UK's most family-friendly zoos and safari parks

London Zoo is the big daddy of the UK’s zoos; the oldest scientific zoo in the world, and one of the most famous. Visit, and you can see lions, tigers, giraffes, penguins, monkeys, gorillas, llamas, flamingoes and more.
Where: London Zoo , Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY

Chester is the UK’s most visited zoo, and home to more than 500 different species of animals. There’s elephants, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, jaguars, lions, tigers, Komodo dragons, lemurs and zebras to enjoy. Plus beautiful gardens, a full timetable of talks and activities and a treetop challenge for your little monkeys to enjoy.
Where: Chester Zoo , Chester, Cheshire CH2 1EU

Woburn Safari park is home to more than 1000 wild animals. See southern white rhino, zebras, wolves, elephants, tigers and black bears, all from the comfort of your own car. Then head out on the foot safari to spot meerkats, porcupines, wallabies and red pandas. As well as the animals, there are high ropes courses to explore; a railway; boating lake and some brilliant play areas.
Where: Woburn Safari Park , Crawley Road, Woburn, Ridgmont, Bedford MK43 0TU

Whipsnade is the UK’s largest zoo and one of Europe’s largest wildlife conservation parks. It is home to more than 3,600 animals, including elephants, greater one horned rhinos, hippopotamus, Africa lions, giraffes and zebras to name but a few. You can walk, drive or take the Jumbo Express train around the amazing enclosures.
Where: Whipsnade Zoo , Whipsnade, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF

Colchester Zoo is home to 220 species living in  in 60 acres of parkland and lakes. As you navigate your way around Colchester Zoo, you’ll visit many different habitats and see animals from around the world, from the humid home of the Komodo Dragons to the Essex-based 'Africa' plain, home to white rhino, giraffes, ostrich, zebra and kudu.
Where: Colchester Zoo , Maldon Road, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL

Longleat Safari Park opened in 1966 as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. Today it is home to more than 500 animals, including Anne the elephant, giraffes, monkeys, rhino, lion, tigers and wolves. There’s a walking safari too, plus a safari bus, miniature railway, adventure playground and more.
Where: Longleat Safari and Adventure Park , Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

Marwell Zoo is a 140-acre zoo situated in Colden Common near Winchester, in Hampshire. Visit, and you can see giraffes, tigers and penguins, endangered Amur tigers , snow leopards and white rhinos . Marwell zoo offers little explorers not one but five adventure playgrounds to enjoy, making it an excellent place for a family day out.
Where: Marwell Zoo , Thompson's Lane, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to four male polar bears - the only polar bears in an English zoo.  In addition, YWP hosts wallabies, lions, tigers, camels, giraffes, meerkats and more. With several indoor and outdoor play areas alongside the animals, there’s fun for all the family at this 100 acre zoo.
Where: Yorkshire Wildlife Park , Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster DN9 3HQ

See Black rhinos, cheetahs, zebras, Komodo dragons, lemurs, Sumatran tigers, gorillas and wallabies at Paignton Zoo in Devon. Then take a trip on the Jungle Express, enjoy the adventure playground, or stretch your legs around the Clennon Gorge Nature Trail.
Where: Paignton Zoo , Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU

Knowsley is the UK’s longest safari drive, covering five miles of wonderful countryside and fabulous beasts. Look out for lions, meerkats, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Don’t miss the Baboon Bus - perfect for visiting the baboons without risking damage to your own car.
Where: Knowsley Safari Park , Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AN

Twycross Zoo has around 500 animals of almost 100 species to see, including many endangered animals and also native species in the Zoo’s Nature Reserve. Twycross is now a renowned World Primate Centre, with a wide variety of monkeys, apes and the UK’s only group of bonobos. In addition, they’re home to giraffes, snow leopards, penguins, meerkats, tapirs, kangaroos, snakes, flamingos and the world’s rarest big cat, the Amur leopard. There’s also a soft play area, a fab playground, and a huge Wet & Wild splash zone – so don’t forget your towel!
Where: Twycross Zoo , East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX

Ditch your African safari plans and stay local for this amazing slice of savannah life right here in the UK. More than 88 species and 700 animals roam across 600 acres of Kent countryside at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park.
Where: Port Lympne Reserve , Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe, Kent, CT21 4LR

The Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay is home to two Sumatran Tigers, two Snow Leopards and two Margays, as well as California sea lions, brown bears, and some very cheeky chimpanzees. There’s also a lovely Children’s Farm on site, with ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs and other cute creatures.
Where: Welsh Mountain Zoo , Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5UY

Folly Farm is Wales’ biggest independent visitor attraction, and is home to more than 750 animals, including giraffes, Humbolt penguins, monkeys, rhinos and a pride of African lions.
Where: Folly Farm , Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA

If you want to see giant pandas in the UK, then Edinburgh Zoo is the place for you. As well as these wonderful creatures, the zoo is home to an impressive variety of other animals, including more than 100 penguins, zebras, rhinos, Asian lions, Sumatran tigers and a whole area dedicated to koalas.
Where: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland , 134 Corstorphine Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS

Blair Drummond Safari Park is Scotland’s only drive-through safari park. Look out for rhinos, monkeys, lions, an elephant and Scotland’s only giraffe ‘tower’. Plus, there’s a new dinosaur exhibit and a giant adventure play area.
Where: Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park , By Stirling, FK9 4UR

Covering 55 acres and featuring more than 115 species, Belfast Zoo boasts Asian elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Barbary lions and Sumatran tigers, as well as California sea lions, gorillas, chimps, gibbons and more.
Where: Belfast Zoo , Antrim Road, Belfast, Newtownabbey BT36 7PN