Wingham Wildlife Park

Wingham, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1JL, England
1-99 Years
Paid

Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in Wingham? Wingham Wildlife Park near Canterbury offers an amazing family day out at Kent's largest wildlife and animal zoo. This popular outdoor and indoor attraction lets children and adults encounter over 200 species, including rare big cats, primates, and a massive prehistoric dinosaur exhibit.

General admission prices start from £22.00 online for adults and £19.00 for children aged 2 to 15, with savings of up to £3.00 available compared to on-the-door gate prices. Under-two-year-olds enter completely free of charge.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines incredible animal encounters, walk-through enclosures, and active play zones, this Kent destination delivers a fantastic experience. Its wide variety of exotic animals, educational talks, and all-weather facilities make it a top choice for local families and visitors across the South East.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

  • Exotic Animal Collection: Home to a diverse range of over 200 species, providing an educational day out focused on global conservation.
  • Walk-Through Enclosures: Immersive habitats where visitors can walk amongst free-roaming species like ring-tailed lemurs, tropical birds, and flamingos.
  • Indoor Soft Play Area: A massive 3,000 sq ft multi-level indoor play structure featuring a construction zone with giant Lego, toddler areas, and slides.
  • Prehistoric Dinosaur Zoo: An expansive animatronic dinosaur park combining education on extinction and evolution with interactive fossil digging.

Top 5 Highlights

  • The Big Cats and Moon Bears: Meet the park's majestic large carnivores, including tigers, lions, and Kent's only-resident Moon Bears and chimpanzees, which always draw gasps of wonder from young visitors.
  • The Dinosaur Zoo and Prehistoric Park: Step back in time to explore life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, dig for fossils in dedicated sandpits, and escape a T-Rex on the back of a truck for unforgettable photo opportunities.
  • Ring-Tailed Lemur Walk-Through: Wander directly into the open enclosure to watch playful lemurs leap across the pathways and trees right beside you in their naturalistic habitat.
  • The Tropical House: Explore humid, lush indoor environments filled with free-roaming exotic birds, tiny marmosets, butterflies, and sparkling koi ponds.
  • Indoor Soft Play and Clamber Castle: Let children burn off extra energy across a massive three-level indoor play frame or tackle the outdoor adventure playground featuring climbing frames and slides.

Facilities

  • Luggage Storage: Not available on-site; visitors should keep belongings with them.
  • Toilets & Changing Facilities: Standard public restrooms and baby-changing stations are located near the main entrance, restaurant, and soft play area.
  • Food Options: On-site restaurant and snack kiosks offering hot meals, drinks, and snacks, alongside designated outdoor picnic areas.
  • Buggy Parking: Designated pushchair parking areas are available outside specific indoor attractions like the soft play and reptile houses.

Pro-Tips:

  • Book Online to Save: Purchase tickets ahead of time through the website to secure online discounts and speed up entry at the gate.
  • Arrive Early: Get there right at opening time to catch the morning animal feeds and beat the midday crowds at the soft play area.
  • Bring Weather-Appropriate Footwear: Since a large portion of the park is outdoors across open grounds, comfortable walking shoes or wellies are recommended for wet days.

Targeted FAQ

  • Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, toddlers love the dedicated indoor soft play area, farm animal contacts, and close-up views of meerkats and penguins, making it an engaging day out for young children.
  • How long does a visit take? A standard visit to Wingham Wildlife Park takes between 3 to 5 hours, allowing families enough time to explore all animal zones, watch keeper talks, and enjoy the play areas.
  • Where is the best place to park? The best and most convenient place to park is the park's own free on-site visitor car park, which offers plenty of spaces right next to the main entrance.
  • Are dogs allowed inside the park? No, dogs and family pets are strictly prohibited anywhere inside the park due to free-roaming animal exhibits and biosecurity regulations.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

  • Historic Village of Wingham: Picturesque local Kentish village featuring historic timber-framed buildings and local country pubs.
  • Canterbury Cathedral and City Centre: Located just a short drive away, offering historic sightseeing, museums, and family dining.

What Visitors Love:

  • Parents frequently highlight the incredible variety of animals packed into a clean, easy-to-navigate layout.
  • The combination of a traditional zoo, a massive dinosaur park, and indoor soft play ensures children stay entertained for hours regardless of the weather.
  • Visitors praise the friendly, knowledgeable keepers who deliver engaging talks throughout the day.
  • Free on-site car parking makes the arrival process straightforward and stress-free for families.

What Visitors Don't Like:

  • Catering queues can get long during peak school holiday periods, prompting recommendations to pack a picnic.
  • Certain extra attractions, such as mini-golf and animal feeding stations, incur small additional costs.
  • Walking paths can become muddy during heavy winter rain, requiring sensible footwear.

Attractions and Experiences:

  • Main Animal Paddocks: Housing tigers, lions, snow leopards, and cheetahs.
  • Primate Houses: Enclosures for chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons.
  • Penguin Coast: Viewing area where families can watch penguins dive and swim.
  • Reptile House: Home to snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and tortoises.
  • Bug Gardens: Indoor and outdoor displays featuring massive invertebrate models and live creepy-crawlies.
  • Indoor Soft Play Centre: Multi-level soft play frame with a dedicated toddler zone and giant Lego construction area.
  • Clamber Castle Outdoor Playground: Adventure play equipment, swings, and climbing frames.
  • 18-Hole Mini Golf Course: Family-friendly crazy golf course situated on-site (additional fee applies).
  • Daily Animal Talks and Feeds: Scheduled keeper talks giving insight into animal behaviour and conservation.
  • Penny Press Machines: Collectable pressed penny souvenir stations located near major animal houses.

New for 2026:

  • Expanded Rare Species Habitats: Newly updated enclosures designed to support international breeding programmes and improved animal welfare.
  • Refreshed Visitor Pathways: Upgraded perimeter routes around core animal zones for smoother pushchair and wheelchair access.
  • Interactive Conservation Signage: Updated digital and tactile information boards across the dinosaur and primate zones.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Day Entry Prices

  • Adult: £22 Online & £25 On the Door.
  • Senior Citizen: £20 Online & £23 On the Door.
  • Child (2–15 years): £19 Online & £22 On the Door.
  • Child (Under 2 years): FREE.
  • Family (2 Adults & 2 Children): £88 On the Door. Not available online.
  • Student: £20 Online & £23 On the Door.

Disabled Visitor Admission

  • Disabled Adult: £22 Online & £25 On the Door.
  • Disabled Child (2–15 years): £19 Online & £22 On the Door.
  • Essential Carer: FREE.

Individual Memberships

  • Adult: £70 New / £65 Renewal.
  • Child (2–15 years): £65 New / £60 Renewal.
  • Senior Citizen: £65 New / £60 Renewal.
  • Student (16+ years): £65 New / £60 Renewal.

Pricing URL: https://winghamwildlifepark.co.uk/visitor-information/ticket-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

  • Information: Wingham Wildlife Park offers bespoke birthday party packages and guided group tours, giving children a memorable celebration surrounded by exotic animals and access to party food and play areas.
  • Inquiries: For birthday bookings, group rates (for 30 or more paying visitors), or school trip reservations, contact the events team directly via phone or email.
  • Winter (October - March) 09:00 am - 4:00 pm 
  • Summer (April - September) 09:00 am - 6:00 pm
     

Address: Wingham, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1JL, England

Post Code: CT3 1JL

Council: Dover

County: Kent

  • By Bus: Local bus services connect Canterbury and surrounding areas to Wingham village, followed by a short walk or local taxi.
  • By Car: Located on Rusham Road off the A257 in Wingham, Kent (postcode CT3 1JL).
  • Car Parking: A massive dedicated visitor car park is available on-site with space for approximately 1,200 cars, and parking is completely free of charge.

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