Twycross Zoo

• A registered charity based in Leicestershire, Twycross Zoo is a 100-acre open-air conservation zoo home to over 500 animals across 125 species.
• Twycross is the only place in the United Kingdom where you'll find four types of great ape and houses the largest number of monkeys in the Western World.
• Now known as The World Primate Centre, Twycross Zoo features a Chimpanzee Eden, Gibbon Forest and Lemur Walkthrough as well as many more mammal, reptile and farmyard animals.
• Children can enjoy their interactive Animal Experiences, bird feeding, goat petting, miniature safari cars plus two adventure and Soft Play Jungle play areas.
• Don't miss the regular seasonal events taking places at Twycross Zoo, including Boo at the Zoo for Halloween and their magical Christmas Spectacular.

Leicestershire's Twycross Zoo is a registered charity institution dedicated to the research, education and conservation of animals with a leading Conservation Breeding Programme that aims to save endangered species from extinction. Visitors can see and learn about the 500 animals that Twycross Zoo cares for on-site, which cover 125 different species from large mammals and primates to penguins and creepy crawlies. It is one of the only zoos in England where you can visit all four types of great ape and, with one of the biggest collections of monkeys in the West, Twycross re-named itself with the specialist title of 'World Primate Centre' in 2006.

The Twycross Zoo animals cover a huge range of carnivores, invertebrates, primates, birds, reptiles and mammals for you to come face to face with during your visit. Families can spot leopards, boa constrictors, orangutans, flamingos, a famous rhino, giraffes, penguins, meerkats, tortoises, zebras, kangaroos and many more fascinating species throughout the multiple habitats of Twycross Zoo. Each area is perfectly tailored to the animal's needs and climate, offering a fabulous variety for visitors to explore. Discover the mischievous monkeys in the huge Chimpanzee Eden, marvel at the roaming residents of Tiger Habitat, see the gibbons swing and hear them sing in the lively Gibbon Forest, and venture through the Lemur Walkthrough woodland to see immerse yourself in this primate world. Twycross Zoo also offers a great range of interactive Animal Experiences for children to enjoy, which allow them to get up close to their favourite creatures and learn all about them from the expert zookeepers. Families can take a Great Ape Tour, help feed the adorable penguins, meet the towering giraffes or even brave a Big Cat Encounter as part of Twycross Zoo's educational and breeding programmes. You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the zoo via their website and social media accounts, where they post tons of information for you to read up on and get to know the newest inhabitants, such as Sudan, an endangered Black Rhino, who famously arrived at Twycross after travelling one thousand two hundred kilometres across the world!

There is also plenty of fun for younger visitors and those not feeling quite as daring to enjoy at Twycross Zoo. Little ones can step into the aviary and feed the colourful lorikeets for just £1, take to the wheel of their very own safari car in the Explorer Zone, or keep things familiar with some adorable goat petting in the Farmyard habitat. Be sure to make time for the much-loved Twycross Zoo Soft Play Jungle and outdoor play areas too, where kids can swing, slide and climb to their heart's content. To make your visit as perfect as possible and to keep things eco-friendly, this leading Leicestershire zoo has also ditched paper maps in favour of a savvy new app, which features route planners to use around the zoo, interactive activities, animal information to read up on and venue news sent straight to your phone.

As well as their wonderful conservation centre and Breeding Programme, Twycross Zoo also has a delightful Nature Reserve alongside it - head towards the back of the car park and follow the signs to explore this natural expanse in full. There is plenty more for families to see in Leicestershire whilst you're visiting too, such as the dreamy Bosworth Water Park for all your lake and leisure needs or the renowned National Space Centre for budding young scientists. 

What to know before you go

• Twycross Zoo opening times are 10am to 6pm in spring and summer, and 10am to 5pm in the autumn and winter months. The zoo is open all every day other than Christmas Day.
• Twycross Zoo prices vary between adult, child, infants under two and concession tickets. As a registered charity, they can also benefit from Gift Aid with your ticket.
• The animal's habitats, cafes and toilets are all accessible for wheelchair users other than the lemur house. Assistant dogs are welcome in the zoo but will not be permitted into certain habitats.
• No other pets are not allowed on site.
• Wheelchairs and mobility scooter can be hired from the zoo for a small fee, and it is recommended to book ahead for these.
• There are some great places to eat on site at Twycross Zoo including The Catch Fish Bar, a Costa Coffee outlet, several indoor and outdoor picnic areas and the Himalaya Welcome Centre, which offers a range of food and drink products from locally and ethically sourced ingredients.
• You can also find Harvey's Coffee Cabin and Turpin's Bar & Grill nearby in Twycross, and the Unicorn Inn along Norton Lane.
• Baby changing facilities are found in the Himalaya Welcome Centre and within the toilets dotted throughout the park.
• There are First Aiders on-site throughout the day.
• As part of their dedication to sustainability, Twycross Zoo have removed their printed maps and now offer a great app for families to download and use featuring an interactive map, route navigator around the zoo, news notifications to read and day planner information.
• There is no cashpoint at Twycross Zoo.
• Hotels near Twycross Zoo include the Appleby Inn Hotel along Atherstone Road, Gopsall Hall Farm and the Old Ivy House Bed & Breakfast.

Getting there

• Twycross Zoo is located near to Norton Juxta Twycross in the county of Leicestershire.
• We recommend driving to the venue if possible, and Twycross Zoo is situated on the A444 via the A5. The zoo can be accessed from Birmingham via the A38 and M42, the M1 and A42 from Nottingham and the M1 from London.
• Follow the brown signs to the attraction, where Twycross Zoo has a free car park on site.
• There is a regular bus service to the zoo between Fenny Drayton, Atherstone and Measham.
• The nearest train stations can be found at Polesworth, Atherstone, Nuneaton and Tamworth.