Name: Paignton Zoo
Rating: 5.0

Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU, United Kingdom

1-99 Years

Paid

1302
0
0

Description

Finding the best things to do with kids in Paignton brings families straight to Paignton Zoo, a massive 80-acre zoological and botanical garden located in Devon. This popular family zoo allows children to discover thousands of amazing animals, including majestic gorillas, towering giraffes, and playful primates, through themed habitats and open-air walkways.

Prices start from £25.00 for children, while adult tickets begin at £27.50. Infants aged two and under enter completely free of charge. Visitors can spend hours exploring the extensive grounds, watching daily keeper talks, and enjoying indoor and outdoor play spaces.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines exotic animal conservation with a brilliant outdoor environment, this Devon attraction offers top value. Its famous tropical houses, regular feeding presentations, and expansive gardens make it a prime choice for a memorable family weekend trip.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Themed Bioclimatic Zones: Immersive habitats including tropical rainforest houses, desert zones, and savannah grasslands designed to mirror natural ecosystems.
Interactive Educational Exhibits: Daily animal feeding presentations and keeper talks providing an educational day out for kids.
Indoor and Outdoor Play Areas: Dedicated children's play spaces and indoor soft play zones to keep young ones active.
Botanical Gardens: Extensive landscaped grounds housing around 1,600 different plant species that support wildlife conservation.

Top 5 Highlights

Ape House and Gorilla Island: A prominent multi-level habitat where powerful lowland gorillas and other primates roam across outdoor islands and indoor viewing halls.
Baboon Rock: A steep rocky enclosure bustling with active geladas and baboons interacting, grooming, and playing in full view of visitors.
Desert House and Tropical Forest: Indoor climate-controlled glasshouses filled with free-roaming birds, reptiles, and unique desert plants from around the globe.
Giraffe Savannah: An expansive grassy paddock where tall Rothschild's giraffes browse high trees alongside zebras and antelopes.
Wetlands and Lakeside Aviaries: Water-fringed habitats home to flamingos, pelicans, and waterfowl where families can stroll along wooden boardwalks.

Facilities

Toilets & Changing Facilities: Public restrooms and baby-changing facilities are positioned across the main visitor hubs and near the entrance.
Food Options: The Island Restaurant and multiple food kiosks offer hot meals, children's lunch boxes, snacks, and hot drinks.
Buggy Parking: Designated pushchair parking spaces located outside tight indoor exhibit zones and soft play areas.

Pro-Tips:

Timing Your Visit: Arriving at the 10:00 AM opening time allows families to explore the quieter morning paths before peak afternoon crowds arrive.
Footwear Choice: Wearing comfortable walking shoes is essential, as the 80-acre site features sloping paths and extensive grounds.
Checking Keeper Talks: Reviewing the daily schedule board upon entry ensures you catch live feeding sessions and talks for the gorillas and meerkats.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, Paignton Zoo is brilliant for toddlers because little ones can see animals up close, explore soft play spaces, and enjoy wide pushchair-friendly paths across the gardens.
How long does a visit take? A typical visit to Paignton Zoo takes between five and six hours, giving families enough time to explore the 80-acre site and watch keeper talks.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is in the zoo's large, dedicated on-site car park situated immediately next to the main visitor entrance on Totnes Road.
What are the best free sights to see? Visitors enjoy free access to highlight attractions like Gorilla Island, the Desert House, wetland boardwalks, and daily keeper talks included with standard admission.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

English Riviera Coastline: Nearby sandy beaches and family seaside towns like Torquay and Brixham.
Dartmouth Steam Railway: Historic heritage railway running steam trains along the scenic Devon coast.
Babbacombe Model Village: Miniature village attraction located a short drive away.

What Visitors Love:

Parents frequently praise the huge variety of animals and the beautiful, lush botanical garden setting.
Children love watching the active gorillas, feeding times, and exploring the outdoor adventure play areas.
The helpful staff and engaging daily keeper talks receive strong positive feedback from visiting families.
Visitors appreciate the spacious layout that gives everyone plenty of room to walk around.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Some reviewers note that navigating the hilly terrain can feel physically demanding for families with toddlers.
Catering queues can get busy during peak lunchtime hours in the summer season.
Walking the entire 80-acre site requires stamina, particularly during warm weather days.
Public transport options from regional hubs require local bus connections or taxi rides.

Park Attractions and Exhibits:

Baboon Rock: Enclosure for gelada baboons.
Gorilla Island: Outdoor and indoor home for western lowland gorillas.
Desert House: Climate-controlled arid plant and animal house.
Tropical House: Rainforest habitat with free-flying birds and reptiles.
Giraffe Savannah: Grassland paddock for giraffes and companion species.
Wetlands Boardwalk: Waterfowl and bird viewing area.
Island Restaurant: Main on-site dining facility and cafe.
Jungle Fun Soft Play: Indoor soft play area for young children.
Outdoor Adventure Playgrounds: Climbing frames and slides across the gardens.
Zoo Gift Shop: Retail shop near the main entrance selling toys and souvenirs.

New for 2026:

Refurbished Visitor Interpretation Hubs: Upgraded digital displays along the main animal trails highlighting global conservation projects.
Enhanced Outdoor Picnic Terraces: Newly landscaped family seating zones situated adjacent to the primary play areas.
Improved Accessibility Pathways: Upgraded level walking tracks connecting the entrance plaza directly to the main tropical zones.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Standard tickets

Adult (16+ years): From £27.50.
Child (3–15 years): From £25.
Toddler (1–2 years): £3.50.
Infant (Under 1 year): FREE.

Summer Saver Tickets

Adult (16+ years): From £27.50.
Child (3–15 years): From £25.
Toddler (1–2 years): From £3.
Infant (Under 1 year): FREE.

Flexi Tickets

Adult (16+ years): £32.
Child (3–15 years): £27.
Toddler (1–2 years): £3.50.

Pricing URL: https://www.paigntonzoo.uk/tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Inquiries: For group bookings, private functions, or birthday party availability, contact the support team directly via email at info@paigntonzoo.org.uk or telephone at 01803 697500.

Paignton Zoo is open daily from 10am.

Address: Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU, United Kingdom

Post Code: TQ4 7EU

Council: Torbay

County: Devon

By Train: Paignton Railway Station is approximately 2 miles away, with regular local bus connections or short taxi rides directly to the gates.
By Bus: Local bus services run frequently from Torquay, Paignton town centre, and surrounding areas directly past the zoo entrance.
By Car: Located on the Totnes Road (A3022) in Paignton, easily accessible from the A380 via Torbay ring road.
Car Parking: On-site parking facilities are available for visitors directly outside the main entrance.