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Opening Times
Open every day except Christmas Day.
Winter (GMT): 10am to 5pm
Summer (BST): 10am to 6pm
Admission Prices
Price information withheld at the request of Twycross Zoo. Call their information line on 0844 4741777 for the latest information, or visit their website. |
Description
Twycross Zoo is set in 80 acres of open countryside in rural Leicestershire near the village of Twycross. The Zoo opened in 1963 and is now one of the major British zoos and can boast over 500,000 visitors a year. In 1972 Twycross Zoo became a charitable trust concentrating on conservation and education. About three quarters of the animals at Twycross are endangered species. In February 2006 the Zoo was launched as `Twycross Zoo - The World Primate Centre' after the Zoo was revealed as the largest collection of monkey and ape species in the western world.
The zoo's collection features over 900 animals of more than 150 species, including some of the most endangered on our planet. Some of the exhibits include the Borneo Longhouse, where a pathway winds through a sequence of exotic bird and animal exhibits surrounded by landscaped aquatic gardens; and Uda Walawe, a Sri Lankan themed elephant walkway which gives stunning, uninterrupted views of four female Asian elephants. Last year saw the unveiling of Bush Dog and Coati Island, new Owl Aviaries and Penguin Lagoon, whilst 2013 welcomes an Amur leopard exhibit, a lemur walk-through, a giant tortoise outdoor walk-about, and much more. The Zoo also features its own Nature Reserve, providing a unique haven for visitors to soak up the great British wildlife our country has been blessed with.
The world-class Himalaya Centre delivers fantastic food in a 300 seat all-day restaurant overlooking a Himalayan themed snow leopard enclosure; fabulous shopping, unrivalled conference facilities in Windows on the Wild and fine art in Twycross Gallery.
The zoo also offers outdoor play areas, gardens, a programme of daily animal talks, and an action-packed calendar of events.
Official Website
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
Free, and accessible at all times from within the zoo
Eating
Himalaya restaurant (opens early, at 9 am, for refreshments or breakfast (weekends and Bank Holidays)), Cafe Tibet, Gorilla Outpost.
Several picnic areas, including a covered one.
For Kids
Children's play areas, baby changing facilities.
Special Needs
The cafes, toilets and most (but not all) animal houses are accessible by wheelchair. Mobility scooters are available for hire (booked in advance).
Restrictions
Assistance dogs are permitted at the zoo, except in certain areas such as the apes, elephants and large carnivores. No other dogs are allowed anywhere within the zoo, including the car park.
Attractions
Animal Collections
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates
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
Very large collection of primates from Tamarins and Marmosets through monkeys and gibbons to Chimpanzees, Bonobos (the only ones in the UK), Orang-utans and Gorillas. Amur and Snow Leopards, Asian Elephants, Penguins, Flamingos, Owls, and many, many more.
Special Attractions
Borneo Longhouse, Walking with Lemurs, Bush Dog and Coati Island, Penguin Lagoon, The Wetlands nature trail with hides.
Other Attractions
Twycross Gallery of contemporary art, miniature railway, gift shops, conference facilities.
How To Get There:
By Car
The zoo is located on the A444, near the northern end of the M42.
From M6 and the North-West:
Take the M6 south to junction 12, then turn left onto the A5 towards Cannock. Continue on the A5 past Cannock and on through Tamworth to junction 10 of the M42. Take the 2nd exit off the roundabout and join the M42 towards Nottingham. Leave the M42/A42 at the next junction (11, where the M42 becomes the A42) and turn right onto the A444 towards Nuneaton. Continue south, through the village of Appleby Parva, and Twycross Zoo will then be on your right about 2 miles beyond the village.
Alternatively, instead of leaving the M6 at junction 12, continue south to join the M6 Toll Road, and then leave at junction T4, join the A5 and continue through Tamworth as described above.
From M1 north (Nottingham):
Follow the M1 south to junction 23a, then take the A42 south west towards Birmingham. Leave the A42 where it becomes the M42, and take the A444 south towards Nuneaton. Continue through the village of Appleby Parva, and Twycross Zoo will then be on your right about 2 miles beyond the village.
From M1 south (Leicester):
Take the M1 north to junction 22, then turn left onto the A511 to Coalville. Continue past Coalville then turn left onto the A42 near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Continue to the Zoo as described above (from M1 north).
From Coventry:
Follow the A444 north through Nuneaton, across the A5 and on towards Burton Upon Trent. Twycross Zoo will be on your left, about 1 mile beyond the village of Twycross.
From M40 south:
Take the M40 north west to its northern end. Branch left and merge onto the M42 north. Continue on M42 past Birmingham and Tamworth, to junction 11, where it becomes the A42. Turn right onto the A444 south towards Nuneaton. Continue through the village of Appleby Parva, and Twycross Zoo will then be on your right about 2 miles beyond the village.
From M5 south:
Take the M5 north to junction 4a. Branch left and join the M42 east. Follow the M42 around Birmingham and on past Tamworth. Continue to the zoo as described above (from M40 south).
Data on this page last updated: Apr 13 2014
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