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Latest News
These are the latest news reports from Port Lympne Wild Animal Park; see the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park News Archive for all reports.
Birth: April 2008
A female baby Western Lowland Gorilla called Tiya has been born, to parents Tamki and Djala. She is being hand-reared by keepers at Howletts after unfortunately being rejected by her mother, who was also hand-reared.
Opening Times
Open every day of the year except Christmas Day from 10am.
Summer: closes at 6pm (last admission 4:30pm)
Winter: closes at 5pm (last admission 3:30pm)
On some Saturdays the mansion is closed to the public due to weddings and functions - check on day of visit.
Admission Prices
Adult | £14.45 |
Child (4-16) | £11.45 |
Child (under 4) | Free |
Student (NUS) | £11.45 |
Senior Citizen | £12.45 |
Disabled Adult | £11.45 |
Disabled Child | £9.45 |
Carer for Disabled adult, child, or senior | £11.45 |
Family Ticket (2 adults/2 children) | £44.00 |
Family Ticket (2 adults/3 children) | £51.50 |
The Safari Trailer and African Experience are subject to additional charges: | |
Adults / Seniors: | £5.00 |
Children: | £3.00 |
Under 4's: | Free |
The African Experience is also subject to availability. | |
Group rates and season tickets also available; see zoo's website for details. | |
Official Website
www.totallywild.net/portlympne/index.php
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
Free
Eating
Conservatory Restaurant, Refreshments kiosks, picnic areas
For Kids
Adventure Playground, Discovering Dinosaurs
Special Needs
Port Lympne is quite hilly but there are selected routes suitable for wheelchair users - ask for details on arrival. The Safari Service also takes passengers around the park.
Restrictions
No dogs allowed
Attractions
Animal Collections
Mammals, Reptiles
Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.
Star Animals
Black Rhinos, Gorillas, Tigers, Snow Leopards, Barbary Lions, Wolves, Hunting Dogs, Monkeys
Special Attractions
Glass fronted lion enclosure, new primate enclosure, Palace of the Apes, Rare Barbary Lions, The African Experience
Other Attractions
Gift shops, Mansion and gardens, park hopper tours, keeper talks during school holidays, make a donation, lasting legacy, and adopt an animal
Description
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is set in 600 acres of parkland in the Kent countryside. It commands spectacular views of Romney Marsh and is set in the grounds of an early 20th Century Mansion House and gardens and is home to 500 animals spanning approximately 50 species.
Port Lympne was founded by John Aspinall in 1973 and is the sister park of Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury. Both parks are now owned by The John Aspinall Foundation.
Port Lympne houses the largest breeding herd of Black Rhino outside Africa as well as many more rare and endangered species. `The Palace of the Apes' is the world's largest family gorilla house and home to a complete family of Gorillas, fed at 12 noon and 3:00pm daily. The lion enclosures feature large glass windows that allow you to get really close and have an unobstructed view.
The `African Experience' features Safari Tours on a special vehicle with an on-board commentary. Each tour takes about 90 minutes and allows you to see animals not visible from anywhere else in the Park. In Summer there are additional Sunrise and Sunset safaris, which include an English breakfast or supper and wine afterwards. See zoo's website for prices and full details.
How To Get There:
By Car
Port Lympne is located at Lympne, near Hythe in Kent. Look for the brown tourist signs (e.g. from M20 junction 11).
From London:
Follow the M20 south east, past Maidstone and Ashford, to junction 11. Leave the motorway and turn right onto the A20. Continue on the A20 past Folkestone Racecourse and back towards Ashford. Turn left onto the B2067 Otterpool Lane and follow the signs to the Park.
Alternatively, leave the M20 at junction 10 (Ashford south) and take the A20 south east towards Hythe. Continue through the village of Sellindge and cross under the M20 and railway. After about 1 mile, turn right onto the B2067 Otterpool Lane, and follow the signs to the Park.
From Canterbury:
Take the A28 south west towards Ashford. At Kennington, turn left at the roundabout onto the A2070, towards Hythe. Continue to junction 10 of the M20, then either join the M20 towards Folkestone, or turn left onto the A20 towards Hythe, and continue as described above (from London).
From Dover:
Follow the A20 west towards Folkestone and Ashford. Continue onto the M20 past Folkestone and towards Ashford. Leave at junction 11, and turn left onto the A20 towards Ashford. Continue to the Park as described above (from London).
From Hastings:
Follow the A259 north east through Rye toward Folkestone. About 1 mile after passing the village of Brookland, continue right at the roundabout on the A259 towards New Romney. Continue on the A259 through New Romney and along the coast to Hythe. Turn left onto the A2008 (Scanlons Bridge Road) one-way system. At the traffic lights, continue forward onto the A261 towards Ashford (signposted for M20 to Dover). After about 2 miles, turn left onto A20 towards Ashford. Continue past Folkestone Racecourse, turn left onto B2067 Otterpool Lane, and follow the signs to the Park as described above (from London).
By Public Transport
By Rail:
Just over an hour from London Charing Cross or Victoria to Ashford station. The Park is then only a 20 minute bus ride away.
By Bus:
Stagecoach East Kent Number 10 bus runs between Ashford and Folkestone via the Park. For times tel: 01233 620342.
Data on this page last updated: Apr 1 2008
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