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🦁Cotswold Wildlife Park
Set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland, Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the UK's largest wildlife collections. Families can explore over 260 different species from around the world, including lions, giraffes, rhinos, and penguins. Highlights include the walk-through lemur enclosure, the reptile house, and the children's farmyard.
- The park features a large adventure playground, a narrow-gauge railway, and a train ride through the grounds.
- Animal talks and feeding demonstrations run daily.
- Facilities include baby-changing rooms, picnic areas, and several cafés.
- Buggy-friendly paths and free parking make it easy for families with young children.
- The walled garden and tropical bird house offer shelter on cooler days.
Practical tips: Arrive early to avoid queues; most animals are active in the morning. The park is mostly outdoors, so dress for the weather. Tickets can be pre-booked online at a discount.
Travel tips
Arrive early for active animals
Most animals are most active in the morning, so aim to arrive early to avoid queues and see wildlife at their best.
Pre-book tickets online for a discount
Buy tickets online in advance to save money on entry fees.
Dress for outdoor weather
The park is mostly outdoors across 160 acres, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. Layers work well for changing temperatures.
Buggy-friendly throughout the park
Paths are buggy-friendly, making it manageable for families with babies and toddlers, though the size means you'll cover significant distance.
Free parking available
Free parking on-site removes the hassle of finding spaces elsewhere, helpful with young children in tow.
Baby-changing facilities available
Baby-changing rooms are provided throughout the park, essential for families with infants and toddlers.
Bring a picnic or use cafés
Picnic areas are available if you bring your own food, or several cafés serve meals and snacks throughout the park.
Walk-through lemur enclosure is a highlight
The interactive walk-through lemur enclosure is a memorable experience where you can get close to the animals.
Narrow-gauge railway breaks up walking
The narrow-gauge railway and train rides through the grounds offer a break from walking the 160-acre park.
Children's farmyard appeals to younger visitors
The children's farmyard is worth visiting if you have younger children who enjoy hands-on animal interactions.
Daily animal talks and feeding demonstrations
Plan to catch scheduled animal talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the day for added engagement.
Adventure playground provides active play
A large adventure playground offers space for children to burn off energy between wildlife viewing.
Walled garden provides shelter
The walled garden offers some shelter on cooler or breezier days, a useful spot to take a break.
Tropical bird house gives cover in poor weather
The tropical bird house provides indoor cover if weather turns, though the park is otherwise outdoor-focused.
Plan to spend several hours
With 260 species across 160 acres, plan for at least a half-day visit, longer if stopping for lunch or multiple activities.
Reptile house appeals to older children
The reptile house is worth prioritising if your children have an interest in snakes, lizards, or other reptiles.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
With 160 acres to explore, comfortable footwear for adults is important, even with a buggy or train rides available.
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