The Best Zoos in The UK

Alright folks, today I’m gonna tell you about some of the best zoos in the UK. As an animal lover, I’ve visited my fair share of zoos over the years and have gotten pretty good at figuring out which ones are worth your time and money. So sit back, relax and get ready for the lowdown on some top notch animal parks around the country.

London Zoo

We’ve gotta start with the big daddy – London Zoo. Now I know what you’re thinking, with London being such a huge city the zoo’s gotta be packed wall to wall with people right? Well you’d be half right there buddy, it does get busy, but the size of this place is massive so it never really feels too crowded. Plus with over 700 different species living there, you’re guaranteed to spot something cool no matter when you visit.

My personal faves are always the big cats like tigers and lions. Something about those majestic beasts prowling around just does it for me every time. But really the whole zoo is laid out beautifully so you can spend hours wandering from habitat to habitat. Make sure to check out the gorilla enclosure too, those guys are too funny to watch. Overall I’d say London Zoo is top of the list of the best zoos in the UK.

Chester Zoo

Next up is Chester Zoo, which is definitely worth the trip if you find yourself over that way. Now this place blows me away every time with the sheer scale of it – over 35,000 animals living on 130 acres! I honestly don’t know how they manage to care for them all. But they do an amazing job and the habitats all look absolutely stunning.

A real highlight is the Monsoon Forest exhibit, where you walk through a warm, humid environment filled with all sorts of unfamiliar southeast Asian critters. Feels like you’re in a whole other world! They’ve also got some impressive big cat areas and the gorilla forest is one of the best zoos in the UK in my opinion. Plus there’s lots of cute little critters like meerkats and red pandas to coo over too. Definitely put this one on your UK zoo bucket list.

Whipsnade Zoo

Alright, sticking with the big hitters now – Whipsnade Zoo is another massive park that’s well worth a visit if you find yourself in Bedfordshire. What sets this one apart is the amount of wide open space they’ve got, with animals roaming freely over 600 acres of countryside. It really does feel like you’re on a safari driving around or taking the open air monorail.

The rhinos, giraffes and antelopes always look so happy wandering the grasslands. And can we talk about those elephants?! I love watching them play in their lake or dust bathing area. It’s so cool to see them acting natural. Plus all the big cats like tigers and lions have huge enclosures here too. Definitely one of the best zoos in the UK in my book for the amount of space they give the animals.

Marwell Zoo

Next on the list is Marwell Zoo, located near Winchester in Hampshire. Now I know what you’re thinking – another huge zoo, how can they keep it all so nice? Well believe it or not, this place manages to feel spacious and natural despite being packed with critters. Over 100 acres and over 1000 animals live here!

The habitats have so much greenery and open space, you really forget you’re in a zoo sometimes. A real highlight is the walkthrough lemur forest – so cool to see and hear these little primates up close! They also have some impressive big cats and a huge family of western lowland gorillas. Plus the butterfly and lory lorikeet houses are always a hit with the kids. Definitely earns its place as one of the best zoos in the UK.

Twycross Zoo

Alright, changing gears now to a slightly smaller zoo that still packs a big punch – Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire. What sets this place apart is its focus on rare and endangered species. You’ll see all sorts of critters here that you won’t find anywhere else, which is pretty special.

The Sumatran tiger twins have to be one of the biggest draws. How cute are those stripey babies! But really there’s so many unique animals from all over the world. Lemurs, otters, gibbons, you name it. They also have an awesome walkthrough lemur forest and a family of western lowland gorillas. The orangutan forest is another highlight – so cool to see those big redheads up close. Definitely earns its place as one of the best zoos in the UK in my opinion.

Dudley Zoo

Alright, sticking to the Midlands now we’ve got Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands. Now I know what you’re thinking – is this really one of the best zoos in the UK? Well hear me out buddy, because this place seriously packs a punch for its size.

Spread over 30 acres, it may not be huge, but they really maximize the space well. A real highlight is their tropical house – feels like a little slice of the rainforest in there! Their big cats like tigers and lions have some impressive enclosures too. And who doesn’t love a good penguin parade? The little blues are always so funny to watch.

Plus the whole place has a really nice relaxed, natural vibe. Definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. It may be small, but it’s definitely punching above its weight class in my opinion!

Banham Zoo

Alright, finishing up now with another hidden gem – Banham Zoo in Norfolk. Now I know east Anglia isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of UK zoos. But hear me out, because this place is a real little cracker!

Spread over 80 acres of parkland, it feels lovely and spacious wandering around. A real highlight is their walkthrough lemur wood – so cool seeing the little primates up close! The big cats like tigers and lions have some impressive enclosures too. And who doesn’t love a good penguin parade? The little blues are always so funny to watch.

Plus they have all sorts of other critters like meerkats, otters and parrots. The whole place has a lovely relaxed vibe. Definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Norfolk for some seaside time. It may not be one of the biggest, but it’s definitely punching above its weight class as one of the best zoos in the UK in my opinion.

Colchester Zoo

Next on the list we’ve got Colchester Zoo in Essex. Now I know Essex isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of animal parks, but trust me this place is well worth a visit. Spread over 80 acres, it feels lovely and spacious wandering around.

A real highlight is their walkthrough lemur woodland – so cool seeing the little primates up close! Plus they have some great big cats like tigers and lions. And who doesn’t love a good penguin parade right? The little blues are always hilarious to watch. Definitely give this hidden gem a try – it’s definitely punching above its weight as one of the best zoos in the UK.

Woburn Safari Park

Finally, if you’re looking for a safari experience on your doorstep, then Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire is the one. Now this place is unique in that you drive through the animal enclosures in your own car. Talk about a cool way to spot all the critters!

You’ll see everything from giraffes and zebras to white rhinos and bison. The monkeys are a right laugh too as they run all over your car. Plus they have a walkthrough deer park and all the usual zoo faves. A really special day out and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area – it earns its place as one of the best zoos in the UK in my book.

Final Thought

Well there you have it folks – my top picks for the best zoos in the UK. Hope this gives you some inspiration next time you’re planning a day trip with the family. Be sure to check online for prices and plan your route, but any of these should give you an amazing animal-filled day out. Now get out there and enjoy some quality time with all those furry and scaly critters!