Peak Wildlife Park

Description

If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Staffordshire, Peak Wildlife Park is a fantastic choice. Set within the scenic Staffordshire Peak District, this popular zoo and wildlife park offers immersive walk-through enclosures that bring children nose-to-nose with exotic animals. 

Prices start from £17.95 for children and £21.95 for adults when booking online in advance. Under-2s are admitted free of charge, and parent-and-toddler weekday term-time tickets are available. It is a wonderful destination for parents wanting an interactive, open-air day out where kids can learn about global conservation.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines up-close animal encounters with outdoor play, this park is a premier option. It provides a relaxed environment where families can enjoy walk-through exhibits, daily talks, and dedicated play spaces.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

  • Immersive Walk-Throughs: Step directly into open animal habitats for unique, barrier-free viewing.
  • Interactive Keeper Talks: Daily educational sessions focusing on endangered species, meerkats, and capybaras.
  • Indoor Soft Play Area: A multi-level indoor play structure where children can burn off energy.
  • Outdoor Adventure Play: Open-air climbing frames and slides designed for family fun.

Top 5 Highlights

  • Lemur Heights: Step right into the tree-top habitat and walk among free-roaming ring-tailed lemurs. Children love watching these agile primates leap across the branches just feet away.
  • Penguin Paths: Wander along the winding boardwalks alongside Humboldt penguins and capybaras. The underwater viewing window lets families watch these sleek birds torpedo through the water at high speed.
  • Wallaby Wonderland: Enter a spacious paddock filled with friendly Bennett's wallabies. It is a brilliant experience for young children to observe these gentle marsupials hopping casually along the paths.
  • Himalayan Falls: Explore this vibrant Asian-themed walkthrough habitat featuring playful Asian short-clawed otters and colourful Mandarin ducks. The waterfall features make it a visually stunning part of the park.
  • Meerkat Lookout: Watch mischievous meerkats pop up on their earthen mounds to survey the crowds. Their curious and social behaviour makes them an absolute favourite for younger visitors.

Facilities

  • Toilets: Accessible toilets and baby-changing stations are located near the main entrance and cafe area.
  • Accessibility: The park features solid, flat pathways suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users, with ramp access to main facilities.
  • Buggy Parking: Designated buggy parking areas are available outside high-traffic animal walkthroughs.
  • Food Options: The Peak Cafe provides hot meals, coffee, and grab-and-go snacks, alongside outdoor picnic tables for packed lunches.

Pro-Tips

  • Book Online: Purchasing tickets in advance online guarantees the best price and smooth entry.
  • Arrive for Opening: Getting there at 10:00 AM lets you beat the lunchtime crowds in the walkthrough enclosures and soft play area.
  • Check Animal Etiquette: Remind children to keep quiet and stay on the designated paths inside walkthroughs, as animals roam completely free without fences.

Targeted FAQ

  • Is Peak Wildlife Park worth it for toddlers? Yes, it is wonderful for toddlers because the flat, compact pathways and up-close walk-through animal exhibits keep little ones constantly engaged without requiring long, exhausting walks.
  • How long does a visit take? Families typically spend between 3 and 5 hours at the park, giving them plenty of time to enjoy the walkthrough habitats, catch the daily keeper talks, and let kids play in the indoor and outdoor areas.
  • Where is the best place to park? The official on-site car park is right outside the main entrance, offering free parking and short, level walking access straight to the ticket gate.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

  • The Peak Cafe: On-site family eatery serving hot meals, snacks, and children's lunch boxes.
  • Park Gift Shop: Stocks animal-themed toys, souvenirs, and pocket-money treats.
  • The Manifold Way: A scenic nearby traffic-free trail popular for cycling and family walks.
  • Dovedale National Nature Reserve: Famous stepping stones and dramatic limestone valleys located a short drive away.

What Visitors Love:

  • The ability to walk directly among lemurs, wallabies, and penguins without physical barriers is an unforgettable experience for kids.
  • The park size is compact enough to navigate easily with tired little legs without requiring a full day of heavy hiking.
  • Staff members are engaging, approachable, and eager to answer questions during keeper talks.
  • The combination of animals and indoor-outdoor play areas offers great value and entertainment variety.

What Visitors Don't Like:

  • Catering queues can peak during rainy days when families crowd into the indoor cafe and soft play areas.
  • The ground can get muddy along grassier edges after prolonged heavy rainfall, making sensible footwear essential.
  • Parking spaces fill up quickly during peak school holiday afternoons.

Attractions & Live Exhibits

  • Lemur Heights: Walk-through ring-tailed lemur enclosure.
  • Penguin Paths: Shared Humboldt penguin, capybaras, and Patagonian hare habitat with underwater glass.
  • Wallaby Wonderland: Open walkthrough area featuring Bennett's wallabies.
  • Himalayan Falls: Asian short-clawed otter and waterfowl habitat.
  • Meerkat & Giant Tortoise Enclosure: Multi-species viewing zones.
  • Red Squirrel Woodland Walk: Native conservation area highlighting British wildlife.
  • Indoor Soft Play Centre: Weatherproof play frames for toddlers and juniors.
  • Outdoor Adventure Playgrounds: Traditional climbing and sliding equipment.
  • Daily Keeper Talks & Feeds: Scheduled educational presentations across core animal zones.
  • Seasonal Stamp Trail: Interactive family walking challenges.

New for 2026

  • Daily Capybara Talks: Expanded interactive keeper presentations highlighting the park's growing capybara family.
  • Peak Air Stamp Trail: A brand-new immersive digital and physical family walking trail launched for the summer season.
  • Refurbished Outdoor Seating Zones: Increased picnic bench capacity across the main lawns for family lunch breaks.
  • Enhanced Soft Play Accessibility: Upgraded layout inside the indoor play barn for improved toddler safety and visibility.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Day Entry Tickets

  • Adult (17–64 years): £21.95 Off-Peak / £23.95 Peak.
  • Child (2–16 years): £17.95 Off-Peak / £19.95 Peak.
  • Concession (65+ or Student): £20.95 Off-Peak / £22.95 Peak.
  • Under 2s: FREE.
  • Carer (with proof): FREE.

Annual Membership

  • Adult (17–64 years): £64.95.
  • Child (2–16 years): £55.95.
  • Concession (65+ & Students): £60.95.
  • Under 2s: FREE.

Pricing URL: https://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk/tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: Peak Wildlife Park hosts memorable children's birthday parties that combine zoo entry with animal-themed celebrations and dedicated food options. For specific group rates, package inclusions, and availability, contact the team at info@peakwildlifepark.co.uk or call 01538 308880.

  • Monday–Sunday: 10am–6pm.
  • Closed: Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Address: Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 7QR, England, UK

Post Code: ST13 7QR

Council: Staffordshire Moorla

County: Staffordshire

  • By Car: Located in Winkhill on the A523 near Leek, roughly 20 miles from both Stoke-on-Trent and Derby. Follow local brown tourist road signs.
  • Parking: Free on-site car parking is available directly outside the main entrance, featuring dedicated accessible parking bays close to the admissions gate.

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