Farms, zoos & wildlife parks

PYO Strawberries at Bury Lane Farm Shop runs seasonally.

Please see website for full details.

Following the recent announcements from the Government we are pleased to announce that Colchester Zoo will be re-opening on Thursday 18th June but health and safety at the forefront. After many long months of being closed to the public and with no regular income it is vitally important that we open again soon for the zoo to survive and continue the important work of caring for our animals. The majority of Colchester Zoo is open-air, over 60 acres with wide pathways and open areas. We hope that this will be an ideal location for those who would like to venture outside and reconnect with nature but within a safe environment. Tickets must be booked online for a timed slot.

Discover a land of giant dinosaurs and meet fantastic real life farm animals along the way. Junior explorers can go dino-spotting from the tree-tops viewing tower or take on the caveman challenge to unearth ancient fossils at the dino-dig! Get up close and personal with our farmyard animals, from bouncing bunnies to cute guinea pigs, find them all at cuddle corner. Don't forget to sing along at Gully's musical farm.

Herrings Green Activity Farm and Bird of Prey Centre is home to over 200 birds of prey and farm animals, we are open daily 10.00 - 5.00 providing a great day out for all the family.
We have daily program of displays and animal encounters including flying displays, pat a pet with our rabbits and guinea pigs, flying displays and animal meet and greets.
Take the kids to the outdoor playgrounds,... Read more

BOOK ONLINE. INDOOR PLAY, CLIMBING WALL, SKY TRAIL & TRACTOR/TRAILER RIDES REMAIN CLOSED. The Farm offers children the opportunity to see, learn about and interact with farm animals through activities such as bottle-feeding lambs, hand-feeding sheep and goats, grooming ponies and stroking rabbits. There are loads of other fun things to do from Go-Karts and Crazy Golf to Digger Village and Shaggy's Cove as well as the huge indoor Shaggy's PlayWorld and Topsy Turvy Towers outdoor adventure playground.

Paradise Wildlife Park is voted Hertfordshire's No.1 Outdoor Attraction by Trip Advisor and set in the beautiful surrounding of Broxbourne Woods in the heart of the Hertfordshire Countryside.

Paradise is home to over 800 exotic wild animals, from the biggest tiger species, Amur tigers to the world's smallest known monkey the pygmy marmoset. Paradise even exhibits the largest anaconda... Read more

The Lodge Nature Reserve and Gardens is a very special place, offering an exceptionally rich combination of wildlife and heritage experiences.

Whether you are after a family adventure or a solitary meander, The Lodge is the perfect day out for all; exploring ancient sea-beds, walking over an iron-age fort, listening out for the drumming of woodpeckers and watching the Greylag Geese laze... Read more

Sea Life Adventure Aquarium is the south east's premier aquatic attraction with over 40 unique displays featuring sea life from all over the world. Along with the incorporated Three Shells Cafe, it's a great visit for the whole family any time of the year. From sharks to seahorses, starfish to stingrays, it's all here in the exhibits section of the site.

Families can find fun activities, farmyard favourites and a host of demonstrations to excite and entertain their little ones here at Standalone Farm. They will also be able to visit our brand new Café, play area and gift shop too. From sheep to cows, goats to pigs, ducks to chickens; regular feeding sessions and tractor trailer rides, our wide variety of things to do makes it a great day out!

Stotfold Watermill is a great day out for all the family and is open to the public on various dates throughout the year. The Nature Reserve which adjoins the Mill is open all year round.

Stop at Randall's tea room for refreshments

See website for what's on