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Heading to a zoo or wildlife park is a super fun activity for kids and a nostalgic day out for many adults.
There are plenty of animal parks near Manchester that provide you with the perfect day out activity.
Whether you are looking to see some of the African Big Five or are satisfied with seeing animals from closer to home, these parks have something for everyone.
You may be looking to learn more about animals, or perhaps your kids have been begging you to take them to the zoo.
Whatever the reason, check out these 17 best wildlife parks and zoos near Manchester.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is frequently cited as the best zoo in England and it’s super close to Manchester.
It takes just an hour driving via the M56 to reach Chester Zoo, making for the perfect zoo near Manchester.
This zoo has more than 35,000 animals for you to see and a whopping 20,000 are endangered.
You will be happy to know that the zoo is dedicated to working on conservation and breeding programs.
There are also 128 acres of habitats to explore.
There’s no wonder then that Chester Zoo is the most visited zoo in the UK.
As well as popular animals like chimpanzees, elephants, rhinos, orangutans, and zebras there are also more unusual animals like the African painted dog.
As well as seeing the wonderful animals check out their botanical garden.
From young kids visiting the zoo for the first time to adults looking for a day out this is a zoo for all ages.
Heaton Park Animal Centre
If you are searching for animal parks near Manchester, then head to Heaton Park Animal Centre.
Located north of the city in Greater Manchester this animal centre is around a 25 minute drive away or can be accessed by a combination of walking and the Green Line Metrolink.
Set in some old stables, this park is one of the best free attractions around for young animal enthusiasts.
The park mostly focuses on farmyard animals like chickens, geese, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs and goats but there are also alpacas and tortoises too.
Head to the main animal centre where you will be able to find friendly and enthusiastic staff who will be on hand to answer any animal related questions.
Whilst visiting Heaton Park Animal Centre you should also check out some of the activities in the surrounding areas.
There’s Heaton Hall, a horse riding centre, a boating lake and golf and pitch and putt courses.
But all in all, it’s a great place to visit if you are looking for parks in Manchester with animals.
Gauntlet Birds of Prey, Eagle & Vulture Park
Another of the best animal parks near Manchester is Gauntlet Birds of Prey, Eagle & Vulture Park.
Zoos with traditional animals in them are perhaps a little more popular, but a visit to this bird park is a truly unique experience.
You will find this bird park in Knutsford which is a 35 minute drive southwest of Manchester via the A5103 and M56.
At this park you will get the chance to meet some of the world’s top flying predators in an intimate environment.
There are more than 180 birds from 50 species in the park. Any bird lover will enjoy visiting Gauntlet’s, even photographers love to visit and practise their fast moving wildlife photography.
There are vultures, owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles.
Though the park is not recommended for under fours there are a host of other fun activities that the young ones will love.
There are meerkats, goats, and polecats too!
Farm at Tatton Park
Tatton Park is a historic estate with a grand Tudor era hall. Visiting Tatton Park is a fun attraction close to Manchester, but they also have a farm!
The farm at Tatton Park is another Knutsford attraction just under three miles from the Gauntlet Birds of Prey, Eagle & Vulture Park.
Back in the day this 40 acre farm used to feed the Tatton Estate family and all the staff.
Today you can visit and learn more about the animals, farming practices and some of the original farm buildings like the 18th century Mill.
One of the best times of year to visit the farm is during spring! You will experience the adorableness of the lambing season and see how farmers look after the young animals.
From pigs and cows to goats, chickens, and sheep this has all the farm vibes you want.
Whilst this is an awesome place to visit with young children, we all know adults can’t get enough of cute animals too!
Peak Wildlife Park
Peak Wildlife Park is another of the best animal parks near Manchester. This wildlife park is just outside of Leek on the edge of the southern part of the Peak District National Park.
From Manchester it’s around an hour and a half’s drive via the A523.
The animals at Peak Wildlife Park are generally small but impressive.
From the Humboldt penguin, three types of lemurs, the maneless zebra, otters, tortoise, the African pygmy goat and more, there’s plenty to see.
Oh, and ever seen that video of a cute and fluffy sheep bounding through the field?
Well, you can see the Valais blacknose sheep at Peak Wildlife Park.
Peak Wildlife Park is the place to be for close animal interactions for all ages.
There are a number of keeper programs that allow you to gain one-on-one tuition from a qualified park guide.
From feeding penguins and lemurs to interacting with those eagle-eyed meerkats it’s a fun added element to your park visit.
Trentham Monkey Forest
Head to Stoke-on-Trent, around an hour and 10 minutes’ drive south of Manchester ‘s city centre and you will find the surprising Trentham Monkey Forest.
Monkeys are certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Stoke-on-Trent, but it makes for a great family day out.
This is the only place in the UK where you can walk with 140 free roaming macaque monkeys.
As well as walking along the paved trails you can watch feeding time.
Every hour from 11:15am the monkeys are fed their favourite food whilst a guide tells you about their habits and ways of life.
As well as space for the monkeys to play there is also a new play area for kids too.
Having watched the monkeys swing, jump, and play it’s now the little ones turn to do the same.
Though this monkey forest will keep kids entertained for hours it’s also a fun activity for adults too.
Cheshire Alpacas
Another of Cheshire’s animal parks near Manchester is Cheshire Alpacas. You will find this park in Northwich about 45 minutes’ drive via the M56 from Manchester.
Yes, you guessed it, this family-run animal farm near Manchester is dedicated to the Alpaca!
These funny, fluffy, charming, and sometimes naughty animals come in a variety of colours and sizes and are so fun to interact with.
You can take these alpacas on walks and then feed them their morning or afternoon snacks.
The team at Cheshire Alpacas will make your experience that bit more special.
Their excellent knowledge of all thing’s alpacas will keep you entertained, providing not only a fun day activity but an informative one too.
Whether you have an alpaca enthusiast in the family or have taken a fancy to these trendy animals then head on over for a day of outside fun with these creatures.
Blackpool Zoo
Another zoo near Manchester is Blackpool Zoo. Head up the M61 around 53 miles northwest of Manchester and you’ll reach Blackpool Zoo.
As Manchester is well connected with Blackpool via train, it’s also possible to visit the zoo without a car.
Blackpool Zoo has more than 1000 animals.
Some of the park’s best loved animals include the Asian elephant, tigers, giraffes, and the crowd favourites the magellanic penguins!
As well as seeing a variety of animals there are also animal interactions like “Keeper for the Day” and the “VIP Behind the Scenes Tour”.
There are also some animal attraction exhibits. Project Elephant Base Camp is a conservation program with the aim of protecting and preserving one of the most iconic animal species.
With so much to see at Blackpool Zoo this is an excellent day out for kids and adults alike.
Be sure to grab a map on your way in so you can make the most out of your time and find the animals you’re desperate to see.
Ponderosa Zoo
Ponderosa Zoo is in-between Huddersfield and Leeds in West Yorkshire but its only 37 miles from Manchester’s city centre via the M62.
There’s an eclectic range of animals at Ponderosa Zoo.
They’ve got everything from alpacas to parakeets and wallabys to iguanas.
They may not host classic safari animals like elephants, but this is a wonderful park for discovering species you may never have heard of before.
For example, have you ever heard of the Scottish wildcat or the serval?
These wonderful wildcats are a joy to watch and quite unusual in comparison to the British house cat.
You can also enjoy animal encounters at Ponderosa Zoo. You can meet the Asian short clawed otter or fun and characterful meerkats.
A day at Ponderosa Zoo is not just for animal viewing but also learning about conservation and animal protection.
Whether you are five years old or 50 there’s something new to learn here.
Walton Gardens and Hall Zoo
Southwest of Manchester in Warrington at Walton Hall and Gardens is a zoo perfect for children.
You can reach Walton Gardens and Hall Zoo in around 45 minutes via the M56.
This zoo is free to enter and started its life in the 1960’s with six aviaries.
There’s an odd but pleasing mix of animals including alpaca, donkeys, pygmy goats, guinea pigs, Herdwick sheep, potbellied pigs, peacocks, and a mix of birds.
There are also purpose built runs and cages that attract the rarely seen red squirrels.
If you are searching for somewhere to host your children’s birthday party definitely consider Walton Garden and Hall Zoo.
They offer these amazing “Zoo keeper” packages where you can help clean the stables and meet the donkeys and goats.
Wild Discovery
Wild Discovery is a petting zoo near Manchester, in-between Preston, and Blackpool.
It can be reached by car from Manchester in just over an hour.
Some of the mammals at Wild Discovery include otters, reindeer, porcupines, wallaby’s, bush babies, and the Bolivian squirrel monkey.
There are reptiles like tree frogs, tortoises, crocodiles and if you can see them, ants!
You can get up close and personal with a capybara, an adorable animal that’s part of the rodent family.
There’s also a giant anteater experience where you can feed Diego (a fitting name for an anteater) some of his favourite treats.
Knowsley Safari Park
Are you looking for a safari park near Manchester?
Knowsley Safari Park is around 30 miles from Manchester and nine miles outside of Liverpool in the town of Prescott.
This is a truly unique experience and one you wouldn’t expect to find in between two of the UK’s biggest cities.
Head to Knowsley with your car and drive along the five mile safari drive or take a walking safari.
You will feel so far removed from UK city life you might just believe you are on safari in the Serengeti.
With around 750 animals you can expect to see lions, antelope, rhino, baboons, giraffes, and even tigers.
As well as the safari animals there are also rides like dodgems, carousel, and a mini pirate ship that the kids will love.
Knowsley Safari Park offers family fun entertainment for the whole family.
Lancaster Park & Animal Farm
If you are specifically looking for a petting zoo near Manchester, check out Lancaster Park & Animal Farm.
This animal farm is a 30 minute drive outside of the city centre via the Oldham Road/A62.
There are a surprising number of species to look at here with more than 50 in total.
There are cuties like the Shetland pony, pygmy goats and donkeys to peafowl, chickens, rats, waterfowl and more.
Most visitors will be thoroughly excited to head to the petting barn.
Open at set times throughout the day you can pet some of your favourite fury friends.
This is definitely a petting zoo set up for kids with a host of other activities like nature walks, bathing tortoises, even a truck style caterpillar train.
The Garden House Marple
Just outside of Stockport and 40 minutes’ drive from Manchester city centre, this is a registered charity and a community farm.
Their aim at Garden House Marple is to empower individuals through the natural environment.
Their belief is that all children should have access to safe outdoor spaces irrespective of their socio-economic situation.
This outdoor space is ideal for families and groups looking to escape city life and feel connected with nature.
Animals on the far include pigs, alpacas, rabbits, goats, Shetland ponies to name a few.
There is also a sensory garden that is great for kids and a riverside walk that will transport you into a space of calm and serenity.
If the little ones are wanting to play, let them explore the kids play area. There’s also the Riverside Café where you can stop for lunch or a hot drink.
On a hot summer’s day be sure to grab an ice cream before heading back to Manchester.
Turbary Woods Owl & Bird of Prey Sanctuary
Just outside of Preston is another animal farm near Manchester.
There’s a collection of 90 birds at Turbary Woods including eagles, falcons, hawks, owls and vultures.
The birds are housed in large open fronted aviaries surrounded by woodland. One of the best things to see at this sanctuary is the flight of a falcon, it’s impressive.
Turbary Woods is run on a voluntary basis and is a non-profit sanctuary.
The money raised from your visit, bird displays and shows keeps the sanctuary running.
You can also participate in an owl and hawk experience day where you will learn the art of falconry.
It’s a great way to interact with these magnificent species all whilst knowing your donation will cover feeding costs and vet bills.
The flying display led by experts is an excellent way to gain more knowledge about the birds. This is definitely a day trip from Manchester that is suitable for the whole family.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is located near the city of Doncaster, which is about 2 hours from Manchester.
It was built on the land of a former farm and riding centre and is now a wildlife park with over 500 animals.
It is quite unique because that’s one of the rare places in Europe where you can see polar bears.
But that’s not all, there are many types of animals including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs and more.
You can easily book your tickets online and head there for the day.
Please note that you will get £5 discount if you book at least a day in advance and on their website.
They also offer annual memberships which can be a great options for families.
The best way to get there is by car. The carpark is free for visitors.
The Donkey Sanctuary
This one is ideal for people looking for unique animal experiences in Manchester. Unlike the others, the Donkey Sanctuary is actually located in Manchester.
You can find it in Abbey Hey, near Gorton. You can easily get there by car or with the bus.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a charity devoted to the welfare of the donkeys.
They are open to the public every saturday and on the first sunday of the month. One of the best thing about it as well is that it’s free to visit. You do need to book your ticket in advance on their website though.
You can walk around the 7 acres of land and discover all the donkeys. They also have a lot of donkey assisted activities which is always a nice thing especially if you are visiting with kids.
It’s also important to mention that they are dog-friendly so don’t hesitate to take your pooch with you.
Now that you know everything about the best zoos Manchester has to offer, the only thing left to do is to go and explore!
Have fun!
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