zoo

There’s over 260 species and tickets are super affordable

Nestled within the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is amongst the finest zoos I’ve visited across the UK. Recently, it was named Britain’s top zoo in a nationwide survey assessing everything from species diversity to visitor experience and value for money. As someone who adores discovering the Cotswolds, I was thrilled to explore what this attraction had in store.

From the moment you enter, there’s an unmistakable sense that considerable care has gone into creating an environment where both creatures and guests feel comfortable. Spread across 160 acres of parkland and gardens, the setting is serene and calming — ideal for a leisurely, unhurried visit.

The park features more than 260 species, all living in generous, naturalistic habitats that blend harmoniously with the surroundings. As you stroll through, you’ll come across magnificent animals from across the globe.

These include giraffes, white rhinos, lemurs, Asiatic lions, Humboldt penguins and red pandas.

Every creature appears content and well cared for, a perception supported by the park’s impressive visitor reviews and numerous recent accolades for animal welfare and guest satisfaction.

One of the highlights during my trip was the giraffe feeding experience, a special encounter available to book as an additional activity.

Coming face-to-face with these magnificent, gentle giants proved truly memorable, while the keeper shared captivating insights about their habits, nutrition and conservation efforts. It proved both educational and enchanting to observe their lengthy eyelashes and tongues at such proximity.

Despite ranking among the UK’s premier wildlife attractions, the park never seemed crowded or hurried.

The gardens and gently undulating lawns provided numerous places to pause, unwind and appreciate the natural surroundings.

Part of what earned the park its best zoo accolade is its outstanding value for money.

Standard day admission costs roughly £19 for adults and £13.50 for youngsters aged three to 16, with marginally reduced online rates available when purchased in advance.

Little ones under three enter free, and parking is included with admission.

Given the grounds’ size, the standard of animal welfare, and the variety of experiences available, I found this remarkably fair, particularly when compared with other UK wildlife venues.

Whether you’re passionate about wildlife or a family seeking a memorable day out, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens delivers on every front.

Its combination of landscape, immersive encounters and diversity of species makes this among the finest experiences I’ve ever enjoyed.

If you’re considering a trip, reserve your tickets in advance, allow yourself time to wander at your own pace, and be sure to greet the giraffes.

The zoo is very clean and well looked after, with friendly staff and good food

Chester Zoo, located in Cheshire, has been crowned the UK’s best-rated zoo on Tripadvisor. The park, which is home to 30,000 animals and 500 species, topped the national rankings based on visitor reviews, boasting an impressive 11,666 excellent ratings.

Chester Zoo also featured amongst Europe’s top 10 zoos and aquariums for 2026. The park recently underwent an expansion with the opening of Heart of Africa, the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK, housing 57 iconic African species. Last year, the zoo launched The Reserve, a premium safari experience giving guests the opportunity to spend the night in one of 51 luxury African-themed lodges.

One of the most recent reviews on Tripadvisor says: “Absolutely incredible zoo! Best I’ve ever been to! All the animals look so happy and everything is so clean and well looked after. We stayed in one of the lakeside lodges and went to the zoo over two days as it is massive because all of the enclosures are very spacious. All the staff were happy, helpful, and polite; the food was good. The whole place just had a very positive vibe. Would 1,000% recommend.”

Another visitor told the Express: “It’s a very nice zoo, great for a day trip. We saw a baby rhino when we went, which was awesome. We’ll be back!”

Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: “We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by Tripadvisor. This recognition is built entirely on genuine reviews from our visitors – and that means the world to us. I’m very proud of everyone who makes our national conservation zoo such a special place.

“Every visit to Chester Zoo directly supports our vital conservation work, both here at home and around the world, and the past year alone is a reminder of just how much that work matters. We’ve developed the world’s first vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens Asian elephants globally, we’ve officially pulled a tiny species of snail back from the brink of extinction, and right here on our doorstep we’ve been planting thousands of new trees to create important new woodland habitat. None of that happens without the people who come through our gates – and we’re enormously grateful to every one of them.”

Full list of best zoos in the UK for 2026

1. Chester zoo
2. Yorkshire Wildlife Park
3. Hoo Zoo And Dinosaur World
4. West Midlands Safari Park
5. Whipsnade Zoo
6. Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
7. London Zoo
8. The Deep
9. Colchester Zoo
10. Folly Farm

A UK zoo, spanning across 130 acres and home to around 30,000 animals, has been named as the best in the UK – and visitors can even spend the night at their safari style hotel

The UK’s best zoo has been named – and it’s in perfect timing ahead of the summer holidays.

Zoos have long been a beloved family day out, offering visitors the chance to admire a wide range of animals up close or to take part in unique experiences. Today, there are thought to be more than 300 licensed zoos, safari parks, and aquariums in the UK, many of which focus on animal care, education, research, and the protection of endangered species.

But there’s one zoo that has garnered particular attention. Spanning a whopping 130 acres and home to around 30,000 animals and more than 500 threatened species, it’s notably one of the biggest zoological parks in the UK.

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Chester Zoo has been officially crowned the best zoo in the UK by Tripadvisor, thanks to its consistently positive reviews from millions of visitors. The travel guidance platform found that the conservation zoo, in Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, had a whopping 11,666 ‘excellent’ review ratings, and was also featured in Europe’s top 10 zoos and aquariums for 2026.

Not only does it provide a fantastic day out, but it’s also a nationally renowned conservation and education charity that is dedicated to preventing animal extinction. Some of its protected animals include the Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Jaguars, Greater one-horned rhino, Sun bear, warthog, and Okapi, to name a few.

When visitors can tear themselves away from these incredible animals, there are gardens to explore, play areas, various eateries, including an on-site pub and restaurant, along with a virtual reality experience. It welcomes millions of visitors each year, and many praise Chester Zoo for its conservation efforts.

One fan wrote on TripAdvisor earlier this month: “Have been visiting this zoo since 1961 with the yearly school trips, to taking my children and now my grandchildren – I have visited many different zoos in many different countries and places, and still Chester Zoo beats them all hands down. The new African area and the lodges are amazing. The staff are all so friendly and knowledgeable – well worth a visit.”

Another shared: “Such an amazing day, was great to see the new Red Panda and due to the great weather all of the other animals were out. Lunch at the pub was amazing as it always is.”

“Forever my favourite zoo, as someone who’s visited many across the world! The emphasis on conservation is amazing and so important, staff are also lovely and very happy to chat and educate about the animals,” a third noted.

Its status as the best in the UK follows the opening of the largest UK zoo habitat, Heart of Africa, last year. The incredible expansion spans 2.5 acres, which accounts for more than 17 football pitches, and is home to 57 renowned African species.

Last summer, Chester Zoo also revealed its new hotel, The Reserve, which boasts 51 luxury African-themed lodges, offering a UK safari getaway. Every visit to Chester Zoo, whether it’s for a day or an overnight stay, helps to fund the zoo’s charitable conservation work.

Following its accolade, Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: “We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by Tripadvisor. This recognition is built entirely on genuine reviews from our visitors – and that means the world to us. I’m very proud of everyone who makes our national conservation zoo such a special place.

“Every visit to Chester Zoo directly supports our vital conservation work, both here at home and around the world, and the past year alone is a reminder of just how much that work matters. We’ve developed the world’s first vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens Asian elephants globally, we’ve officially pulled a tiny species of snail back from the brink of extinction, and right here on our doorstep, we’ve been planting thousands of new trees to create important new woodland habitat. None of that happens without the people who come through our gates – and we’re enormously grateful to every one of them.”

For more information or to book tickets to Chester Zoo, visit their website.

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