Let the kids go wild this summer holiday with our pick of the top 10 zoos in East Anglia
Written by Liz Mattock
Woburn Safari Park
Woburn Park, Bedfordshire
With over 80 species of wildlife including lions, tigers and bears, this award winning popular attraction is one of the biggest safari parks in the UK.
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NEW for 2019 – Bring your little explorers from 15th June to 14th July and follow the Great Brick Safari trail to see some amazing LEGO® brick models of exotic safari animals. Find all the clues on the trail, answer the quiz questions, post a selfie and you could win some of the amazing VIP prizes! Find out more about the event. More event info here
And as if that wasn’t enough On the 27-28th July Woburn Safari Park will be holding a fundraising event in support of the Wildcats Conservation Alliance. The mission is to raise funds for projects in the wild and in captivity that will help prevent the extinction of the Wildcats Conservation Alliance.
Find accommodation near Woburn Safari Park here
Whipsnade Zoo
Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Back for 2019, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is excited to bring you an overnight experience like no other, Nature Night Camping!
Have you ever wanted to know what animals get up to at night? Now’s your chance with Nature Night Camping at the Zoo.
Pitch your tent on our main lawn and spend the evening discovering what both native and exotic animals get up to at night. Learn what to look for when tracking them down before going on a torchlight expedition around the Zoo to see what you can find and who is still awake!
Other exciting features include a steam train ride through the park, an underwater experience and many more animal displays and encounters to be had.
Oh and don’t forget to say hi to baby sealion pup Maui
Find accommodation near Whipsnade Zoo here
Linton Zoo & Gardens
Linton, Cambridgeshire
Linton Zoo is a conservation centre, which focuses on breeding species which are vulnerable to extinction. Entry is £8 for adults, £6.50 for children aged 2-13. Expect to see a good variety of jungle cats, birds, reptiles and smaller animals.
Find hotels in Cambridgeshire here
Ventura Wildlife Zoological Gardens
Great Amwell, Hertfordshire
On 23 July Hertfordshire’s newest visitor attraction, Ventura Wildlife’s Zoological Gardens, opens the doors for an exciting new adventure. Home to a variety of exotic animals ranging from giant snakes through to zebras, adventurers of all ages will be able to get even closer to the action with daily keeper talks, animal feeds and even the chance to go behind the scenes with an Animal Experience.
Open daily the new zoological gardens are located within the grounds of the Van Hage Garden centre in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, ideally situated just off the A10 and A414.
Find hotels in Hertfordshire here
Colchester Zoo
Colchester, Essex
As you step inside Colchester Zoo learn about the animals as you see them up close, watch one of many daily displays and take the opportunity to ride on the ‘Lost Madagascar Express’ road train. Come face to face with Komodo dragons and see white rhino, giraffes, ostrich and kudu roaming together in the Kingdom of the Wild. Plus, this summer look out for the new addition to the family, how adorable is this baby Aardvark.
Find accommodation near Colchester Zoo here
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Take a walk on the wild side at Thrigby Hall. Among the glorious green gardens, you’ll find jungle cats, primates and pandas. Take the chance to tour the Hall itself and historic gardens, before encountering the many endangered species that have been rescued.
Thrigby Hall has fast become a last refuge for many species as their natural habitat is destroyed. As well as large animals you’ll also find reptiles, otters, rodents and lots of feathered friends – a walk through the aviary is a must for all visitors! Special attractions include the Willow Pattern Garden, Lime Tree Lookout and Tiger Tree Walk.
Banham Zoo
Banham, Norfolk
Banham Zoo is an award-winning family attraction with over 2,000 animals from around the world and set in 50 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. Throughout the day there are plenty of activities to thrill and entertain families, including daily animal feeding talks, ‘Amazing Animals!’ presentations and one of the most exciting ‘Birds of Prey’ displays in the UK!
Find accommodation near Banham Zoo here
Amazona Zoo
Cromer, Norfolk
Amazona Zoo in Cromer offers a fun day out for the whole family. It’s home to over 200 animals specifically from tropical South America, including jaguars, monkeys, peccaries, macaws, parrots, capuchins, spiders, snakes, flamingos and many more.
The zoo also boasts an impressive outdoor play area, a 30ft Yurt ideal for rainy days and a hub for educating visitors, and a large, well-equipped indoor play area. New for 2016 is a Leaf Cutter Ant Exhibit. The bespoke enclosure features a very long tunnel housing around 3,000 Atta Cephalotes where visitors can see the ants at work and feeding.
Find accommodation near Amazona Zoo here
Africa Alive
Lowestoft, Suffolk
At Africa Alive! explore the sights and sounds of Africa and discover lions, giraffes, meerkats, hunting dogs and many more animals from the African continent. The spectacular centrepiece of Africa Alive!, ‘Plains of Africa’, is the perfect place to spot five species of African savannah animals, including giraffes and rhinos. For more information and ticket prices visit www.africa-alive.co.uk
