Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Oxfordshire brings families straight to Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, an expansive zoological collection and park set across 160 acres of landscaped parkland in Burford. This popular wildlife attraction allows children to get close to hundreds of animal species roaming across open paddocks and themed enclosures.
Standard online advance e-ticket prices start from £17.50 for adults and £12.50 for children aged three to 16. Infants aged two and under enter the park completely free of charge. Visitors can spend hours exploring immersive habitats, beautiful gardens, and outdoor adventure play areas.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines diverse wildlife with open green spaces, this Oxfordshire attraction offers exceptional value. Its wide walking paths, narrow-gauge railway, and engaging animal exhibits make it a top choice for a weekend family trip.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Burford Town Centre: Historic Cotswold market town located a short drive away, featuring traditional stone cottages, independent shops, and tea rooms.
- Cotswold Woollen Weavers: Local heritage exhibition space celebrating regional textile history located nearby.
- Witney Lake and Country Park: Nearby scenic outdoor nature reserve offering lakeside walking trails and wildlife spotting.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the open, green layout of the park, which allows animals like rhinos to share space with scenic landscapes.
- Children love walking right among the lemurs in the Madagascar enclosure and riding the narrow-gauge train.
- The variety of open play areas and large picnic lawns help break up walking days for younger family members.
- Visitors appreciate the ability to bring their own picnic blankets and enjoy a relaxed day outdoors.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some reviewers note that navigating the 160-acre site can prove tiring for very small children without a pushchair.
- Catering queues can get busy during peak lunch hours in the summer school holidays.
- Certain outdoor walking paths can become muddy during periods of wet winter weather.
- Popular animal viewing areas attract large crowds during peak weekend afternoons.
Park Attractions and Habitats:
- Madagascar Walkthrough: Free-roaming lemur habitat with close-up viewing opportunities.
- Giraffe House: Elevated viewing deck for observing tall African mammals.
- Rhino Paddock: Open grassland enclosure for grazing white rhinos.
- Reptile House: Specialized indoor habitat housing cold-blooded species.
- Exotic Aviaries: Walk-in bird houses featuring colourful tropical species.
- Penguin Bay: Deep water pool and viewing glass for Humboldt penguins.
- Farmyard Area: Friendly domestic animal zone featuring goats and sheep.
- Children's Adventure Playground: Wooden climbing and sliding structures.
- Narrow-Gauge Railway: Scenic seasonal train ride across the park grounds.
- Manor House Lawns: Expansive green open spaces for family picnics and relaxation.
New for 2026:
- Upgraded Conservation Interpretive Boards: Newly installed digital and physical exhibits detailing global endangered species breeding programmes.
- Resurfaced Park Walkways: Refurbished gravel and paved pathways ensuring smooth pushchair and wheelchair access across the gardens.
- Expanded Outdoor Seating Hubs: Newly positioned family rest benches and picnic tables near primary food kiosks and lawns.
4.76 miles
