Experience an animal day out some of the best wildlife attractions in the UK during a stay at one of the Best of British holiday parks. Get up close to animals from around the world and learn more about conservation and animal care.
Isle of Wight Reptilarium
The Isle of Wight Reptilarium houses a fascinating collection of snakes, lizards, terrapins and toads. Explore four themed rooms and over 30 displays, including the popular nocturnal room where you can use torches to spot creatures hiding in the dark. Younger members of the family can collect an ‘explorer card’ on entry, which contains fun missions to complete that will help them locate and identify different species. Visitors can purchase terrapin food from the front desk to help out at feeding time.
Closest BoB parks: Whitefield Forest Touring Park
Abbotsbury Swannery
Abbotsbury Swannery is home to the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world. It is situated on a 25-acre site with breath taking views along the Dorset Coast and over the Fleet Lagoon. There are more than 600 swans at any one time, all of which are completely free to come and go as they please. Visitors can help hand feed the Swans and are able to watch the cygnets hatch during the spring. Little ones will be kept entertained by the giant maze and swinging play nests.
Closest BoB parks: East Fleet Farm, Highlands End Holiday Park, Wood Farm
International Centre for Birds of Prey
The International Centre for Birds of Prey is the oldest dedicated bird of prey centre in the world. The centre is focussed on the conservation and is involved in a number of international breeding programmes. During a visit you can see a wide selection of birds and learn more about their history. Make sure you take some time to watch the flying displays, which show the beautiful birds in all their glory. For an extra special treat you can also book a number of experience days and falconry courses.
Closest BoB park: Poston Mill Park, Townsend
Paignton Zoo
A visit to Paignton Zoo is a must during your stay at one of our holiday parks in the south west. Explore 80 over acres and experience more than 3,500 animals from around the world, including giraffes, ostriches and baboons. Attractions include indoor and outdoor play equipment, a jungle express train and a nature trail that you can follow through the parks.
Closest BoB parks: Beverley Holidays, Woodlands Grove Caravan and Camping Park, Dornafield, Ross Park Caravan Park, Webbers Park, Oakdown Holiday Park, Ladram Bay
Chester Zoo
Chester zoo is the most visited zoo in the UK and home to more than 27,000 animals. It is set within 125 acres of beautiful gardens and offers endless fun for all the family. There is a wide selection of stunning exhibits, specially designed to mimic habitats from around the world. Animals include jaguars, black rhino and lions. In addition to animals there are a number of attractions to keep younger members of the family entertained, including buggy hire, play equipment and a lazy river boat trip!
Closest BoB park: Plassey, Beaconsfield, Oxon Hall Touring and Holiday Home Park
Crocodiles of the World
Crocodiles of the World is the only crocodile zoo in the UK. The centre is dedicated to the conservation of crocodiles and cares for 15 species on site. This fantastic all-weather attraction gives a unique insight into this incredible and often misunderstood species and helps to educate visitors about the struggle’s crocodiles face in the wild. The expert team of staff host a number of talks and feeding sessions throughout the day as well as VIP zoo keeper experiences. Underwater viewing offers an unrivalled view of these magnificent creatures. In addition to crocodiles, the centre houses a giant tortoise as well as snakes, meerkats, lizards and a Komodo dragon.
Closest BoB parks: Lincoln Farm Park, Swiss Farm Touring and Camping
Bainloch Deer Park
For an up-close animal experience during your stay in Scotland take a trip to Bainloch Deer Park. Situated in picturesque surroundings with beautiful views over the Solway Coast, this family friendly excursion is a great way to see herds of red, fallow, sika and rowe deer. The experienced tour drivers will pick you up from the park’s entrance in a 4×4 before driving taking you along narrow and winding tracks in the forest. During the hour long tour the rangers will pass on their unrivalled knowledge and help you spot deer in their natural habitat.
Closest BoB park: Brighouse Bay Holiday Park
RZSS Highland Wildlife Park
Experience the rugged beauty of the Cairngorms National Park at Highland Wildlife Park. Drive through the main reserve or hop on one of the guided land rover tours to see Scottish wildlife and endangered species from around the world. The park specialises in species that would usually be found in mountain ranges, tundras and cooler climates, so you can expect to see wolf, amur tigers, artic fox and polar bears.
Closest BoB park: Blair Castle Caravan Park
Header image photo credit: Robert Dewar, Flickr
