Wondering where to go for a good day out this summer? Whether a family, a couple, an individual, or a group of friends, a wildlife park is the ideal attraction. So, pack a picnic and head for one of these three in southern England—the Bristol Zoo Project, Marwell Zoo, or the Cotswolds Wildlife Park and enjoy an entertaining day out.
These three parks offer plenty of free parking, good facilities including cafés, picnic sites, playgrounds and shops. Each park has its own characteristics, but all three were created to protect endangered species.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford in Oxfordshire
Play Area at Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens was created by the then owner of Bradwell Grove Estate , John Heyworth, and has been welcoming visitors since 1970. His son, Reggie Heyworth, inherited the park, and this delightful combination of stately home and beautiful gardens continues to flourish. A Gothic-style Manor House, built in 1804, is the centrepiece of the park.
The rooms in the Manor House are used for many different purposes, including administrative offices, hibernating species and a fascinating museum occupies one room still with its original furnishings. The old stables and other out-buildings house the reptile and bat houses. The Billiard Room is now the restaurant kitchen, and the billiard table is now the lower tier of a waterfall in the penguins’ enclosure. The penguins live in one corner of the Walled Garden (originally the kitchen garden) and the curious Asian small-clawed otters live in the opposite corner. This area is also home to a variety of small mammals and a greenhouse has been transformed into the Tropical House, where brilliantly plumed birds flit amongst exotic vegetation.
Asian Short-Clawed Otters at Cotswolds Wildlife Park
Bordering the Walled Garden is the Madagascar Exhibit, which features a walk-through accessible to three species of lemurs, in particular a band of Ring-Tailed Lemurs that behave like mischievous little humans, particularly when there is food around.
Feeding them is one of the animal encounters available here (charges apply). In the centre of the park is a large grassy area and a mixture of wild animals can be viewed grazing here during the summer months. Surrounding this area and interspersed amongst the beautiful gardens are enclosures for a variety of animals including rhinos, big cats and giraffes. A breeding programme for white rhinos has been so successful that two have been given to a wildlife park in Australia. Well-behaved dogs can accompany their owners but must be kept on a lead, and there are restrictions regarding the areas they can enter.
Penguins at Cotswolds Wildlife Park
Marwell Zoo near Winchester in Hampshire
The history of Marwell Hall and its estate goes back as far the mid-tenth century when a monastery, Hyde Abbey, was built on the site. Since then, bishops have stayed there, Roundheads and Cavaliers battled here and it became a secret airfield during the Second World War. In 1968 it was bought by John Knowles (1929 – 2019) to create a zoo in the grounds specifically for breeding endangered species. Despite local opposition he succeeded and Marwell Zoo opened in 1972. In 1974 Marwell Zoological Park became a registered charity. Four years later Marwell Preservation Trust Ltd was created and John Knowles transferred the zoo, neighbouring undeveloped land and his former home, Marwell Hall, to this charity thereby ensuring the future of the zoological park. He was a true pioneer regarding the operation of zoos and the importance of conservation. Today the hall Marwell Hall (Grade 1 listed) is currently being used as offices and an events space. Summer of 2025 sees the introduction of Afternoon Tea at the Hall (booking essential).
Marwell Hall at Marwell Zoo
Marwell Wildlife continues to address causes of extinction and find ways to ensure the survival of vulnerable species with a particular focus on Africa. This extensive park covers 140 acres and features fields and paddocks where small herds of wild animals including antelopes, zebra and rhinos can be seen grazing. The big cats here include lions, tigers, snow leopards and the pretty serval. Visitors have the option of taking a tour in the road train (charges apply).
In February 2025, Marwell embarked on the creation of a brand-new facility, The Keeper’s Kitchen. This new dining destination will feature food celebrating the best of local fresh produce. Entrance to this plaza will not require a zoo ticket but visitors can enjoy spectacular views across the rolling landscape and all dogs will be welcome here but only fully trained assistance dogs are allowed into the zoo and access is restricted in a few areas due to the sensitive nature of the animals.
Serval at Marwell Zoo
Bristol Zoo Project in Bristol
Bristol Zoo has been a forerunner in wildlife conservation since the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society opened the Bristol Zoo Gardens first opened to visitors in 1836 just one year after it was formed. This twelve-acre site proved to be a great success and has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to view the animals there. During the 1960s the owners of the Hollywood Estate (grade II listed) gifted it to the Bristol Zoological Society. This 136-acre site was named the Wild Place Project and used for breeding and quarantine purposes as well as housing the society’s nurseries which still grow a lot of the food for the animals at the Bristol Zoo Project. Several years ago, the difficult decision was made to develop the larger site and move the animals there in recognition of its better suitability for the well-being of the animals and important conservation projects. The new name, Bristol Zoo Project was chosen as it represents the past and the future of the zoo.
Red Panda at Bristol Zoo Project
Bristol Zoo closed in 2022 and the Bristol Zoo Project opened in the summer of 2023. The huge task of creating new habitats is ongoing. Funding is being obtained by the sale of buildings on the Bristol Zoo site. Some buildings in the gardens there be retained and the gardens will once again be open to the public. Although the project is a work in progress (and will be until the 2030s) it still offers an exciting day out. Created in natural woodland, the project currently features three new habitats. Bear Wood has been designed to replicate an English forest in 800. Bears, wolverines and wolves inhabit this wood and visitors can watch the animals from an elevated walkway and a graduated, glass-fronted viewing area.
Wolf at Bristol Zoo Project
Benoué National Park recreates the habitat in the park of the same name in the Cameroon. It will be used to house indigenous animals from that area that are facing extinction. Two of the seriously endangered Kordofan giraffes live here along with cheetahs and zebras. Discover Madagascar is where the lemurs, unique to Madagascar live. Visitors can stroll through the two lemur walks watching these delightful creatures basking in the sun and being fed. Animal feeding times are a good time to watch the animals and to hear the keepers talk about them. Assistance dogs are the only pets allowed here.
Ring-Tailed Lemurs at Bristol Zoo Project
Planning a visit? For more information and discover the benefits of annual passes and memberships.