Discover the 7 Largest Zoos in England (And the Ideal Time to Visit Each)

Are you looking to explore the largest zoos in England, or to simply see many different animals in as little time as possible? You’re at the right place! This article will help you plan a perfect, animal-focused trip!

We’ve gathered a list of England’s seven largest zoos by acreage and researched the best time to visit each. All you need to do is decide which one to visit first!

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

7 Largest Zoos in England

As mentioned, we’ve listed the zoos by acreage. However, the largest zoos don’t necessarily have the largest number of animals. You’ll find more information about the animals below, so choose the zoo you’d like to visit accordingly.

Also, please keep in mind that the zoos may host more or fewer animals at the time of your visit. New residents are born each day!

1. Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo not only in England but also in the entire UK. The best time to visit it is usually around 11 a.m., especially if you want to explore the zoo by train. The zoo’s Station Store opens at 11:30 a.m., and the first train leaves at noon.

• Animals: over 10,000
• Species: around 300
• Size: 600 acres
• First Opened: 1931
• Popular Feature: Hullabazoo Farm (an open space area where children can play and interact with animals like donkeys, goats, and sheep)
• Mission: “We bring people closer to nature and use our expertise to protect wildlife today, while inspiring a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow.​”
• Fun Fact: Whipsnade Zoo helped return several species of extinct animals to the wild, including the wild horse.
• Location: Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2LF
• Hours: The zoo opens at 10 a.m., but the closing hours vary by season. It is open every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas Day. Check the official website for current hours.

2. Cotswold Wildlife Park 

Cotswold Wildlife Park is actually both a zoo and a safari park, offering visitors a more immersive wildlife experience. It’s best to visit it around 11 a.m., as this gives you a chance to attend daily animal talks and feedings. Penguin feeding is at 11 a.m. and three p.m.; lemur feeding and talk is at noon; and duck feeding is at two p.m.

• Animals: N/A
• Species: over 300
• Size: 160 acres
• First Opened: 1970 
• Popular Feature: Gardens (horticultural displays in and around the animal exhibits)
• Mission: “[Your visit] (….) enables us to support a thriving education programme, numerous endangered species breeding programmes and several vital conservation projects in the wild.”
• Fun Fact: This wildlife park has several webcams that let you watch meerkats, penguins, and lemurs from the comfort of your own home.
• Location: Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP
• Hours: Cotswold Wildlife Park is open daily from 10.00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. during summer. Check the official website for hours during other seasons.

3. Marwell Zoo

Marwell Zoo features five adventure play areas, cafés, and plenty of outdoor space. According to the zoo’s website, you’ll need around four hours for your first visit, so we recommend getting there as soon as the zoo opens — i.e., at 10 a.m. during the majority of the year.  

Also, keep in mind that the cafés can be especially busy from noon to 1:30 p.m. You’ll need to plan your visit accordingly if you want to grab coffee or a snack while there. 

• Animals: over 400
• Species: 138
• Size: 140 acres
• First Opened: 1972 
• Popular Feature: Marwell Hall (a Tudor mansion built in 1320)
• Mission: “Our mission is to conserve biodiversity and other natural resources, both locally and internationally – but we rely on the support of thousands to bring it to life!”
• Fun Fact: This zoo features Penguin Cove, an exhibit that almost perfectly mimics the natural habitat of The Humboldt penguin.
• Location: Thompson’s Ln, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH
• Hours: Hours vary by season. In most cases, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to four or five p.m. Check the official website for current hours.

4. Chester Zoo

Despite being significantly smaller than Whipsnade, Chester Zoo is home to about thrice as many animals. That may be why it’s the UK’s most popular conservation zoo. 

The best time to visit is at 10 a.m., as many events at the zoo start at 10 a.m. sharp or 10:30 a.m. — such as The Chester Zoo Memory Café and Conservation Tots. However, these events are not held every day, and the schedule may be subject to change. So, if you want to attend them, make sure to check the calendar on the official website.

• Animals: over 35,000
• Species: over 500
• Size: 128 acres
• First Opened: 1931
• Popular Feature: Islands (an area that recreates the tropical environments of six South East Asian islands, including Papua, Bali, and Sumatra)
• Mission: “Our mission is to prevent extinction.”
• Fun Fact: Chester Zoo was the first zoo to breed a tuatara outside of New Zealand
• Location: Chester CH2 1LE
• Hours: The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m., but closing hours vary by season. Check the official website for current hours, and note that the zoo may be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

5. Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is the first female-founded zoo in the UK. In fact, it was founded by two rival pet shop owners, Molly Badham MBE and Nathalie Evans.

The best time to visit Twycross Zoo is around 10:30 a.m., especially if you want to attend the zoo events and activities. Most start around 11 a.m., and end before four p.m.

• Animals: over 500
• Species: 150
• Size: 100 acres
• First Opened: 1963 
• Popular Feature: The Nature Reserve (an area that provides a natural, wetland habitat for rare and endangered species and features a trail for visitors)
• Mission: “A charity zoo fighting the extinction crisis. We’re working at the forefront of conservation and scientific research to make a global impact on endangered species around the world, from the very heart of the UK.”
• Fun Fact: This zoo is the only UK zoo with all four great ape species!
• Location: Burton Rd, Atherstone CV9 3PX
• Hours: Twycross Zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. It usually opens at 10 a.m., but both closing and opening hours can vary by season. Check the official website for current hours.

6. Paignton Zoo

If you’re reading this around the time of publication, you’re in for a treat. Paignton Zoo is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, so expect a lot of exciting events before the end of 2023.

The best time to visit is, then, before the year ends! But don’t despair if you’re reading this at a later time — the zoo hosts special events every year. 

Ideally, you’ll want to go around 12:30 p.m. This will give you ample time to explore the zoo while also helping you avoid the busiest hours and big crowds.

• Animals: almost 4,000
• Species: 235
• Size: 80 acres
• First Opened: 1923
• Popular Feature: Clennon Gorge Nature Trail (a woodland trail perfect for a ~10-minute walk)
• Mission: “We act to protect at-risk animals and plants from the impacts of biodiversity loss in order to. We focus on helping humans understand how to live in harmony with nature.”
• Fun Fact: This zoo was the first combined botanical and zoological garden in the entire UK!
• Location: Totnes Rd, Paignton TQ4 7EU
• Hours: The zoo opens every day at 10 a.m. (except Christmas Day), but closing hours vary by season. Check the official website for current hours.

7. Colchester Zoo

2023 is a special year for Colchester Zoo, too. It marks the zoo’s 60th anniversary, as well as 40 years with the current owners!

The zoo is quietest on Mondays after one p.m., but you may want to go a little bit earlier to have enough time to explore it in its entirety. 

• Animals: over 1,000
• Species: 160
• Size: 60 acres
• First Opened: 1963
• Popular Feature: Colenso village (a recreation of the African village of Colenso where visitors can feed goats and sheep)
• Mission: “To provide a first class experience for all its visitors and at the same time further understanding and respect for animals.”
• Fun Fact: The zoo offers on-demand Community Outreach Talks, educational talks about conservation, caring for animals, and how Colchester Zoo contributes to these goals. Those who are interested can book a talk at their desired location.
• Location: Maldon Rd, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL
• Hours: Colchester Zoo opens at 9.30 a.m. every day except Christmas Day. Closing hours vary by season, so check the official website for current hours.

Summary of the 7 Largest Zoos in England (And the Ideal Time to Visit Each)

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