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Opening Times
Open every day except Christmas Day.
30 March to 24 October: 10am to 5.30pm
25 October to 4 March: 10am to 4:00pm
5 March to 29 March: 10am to 5:00pm
Admission Prices
Price information withheld at the request of Twycross Zoo. Call their information line on 01827 880250 for the latest information, or visit their website. |
Description
Twycross Zoo is set in 40 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 primate collection includes 5 species of Lemur, 4 Marmoset species, 6 Tamarin species, 2 Howler, 3 Spider, and a host of other monkey species, 6 species of Gibbons, Siamang, Bonobo, Chimpanzee, Orang-Utan, and Western Lowland Gorilla.
Other animal species at the zoo include Amur Leopard, Asiatic Lion, Asian Elephant, Bactrian Camel, Giraffe, two types of Tapir, Babirusa, Wallaby, Aardwolf, Patagonian Sealion. Meerkat, and Oriental Small-clawed Otter. The zoo also has a small collection of reptiles, including Broad Fronted Crocodiles, Green Iguana, 2 species of Turtle, and 8 species of Tortoise.
Twycross Zoo is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including 12 types of Owl, 2 types of Penguin (Humboldt and Macaroni), 2 types of Flamingo, 5 types of Crane, several Cockatoos, Amazons, Macaws and Parrots, and a host of waterfowl species, including 5 types of Swan.
For the children there is the Pirates Cove themed adventure playground, with a variety of rides (at extra cost) and other activities. This area also has more restricted opening times, especially midweek in winter.
Latest News
These are the latest news reports from Twycross Zoo; see the Twycross Zoo News Archive for all reports.
Birth: 26 June 2010
A baby male Bonobo has been born, the second for mum Cheka. This brings the group, the only breeding one in the UK, to 12 (5 males and 7 females).
Official Website
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
Free, and accessible at all times from within the zoo
Eating
Three large self-service cafeterias, and a licensed bar
Several picnic areas, including a covered area near the adventure playground.
For Kids
Pirates Cove adventure play area, baby changing facilities.
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
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. Asiatic lions, Amur Leopards, Asian Elephants, Giraffes, Penguins, Flamingos, Owls, and many, many more.
Special Attractions
South American Tropical House, feeding times, elephant training
Other Attractions
Miniature railway, gift shops, conference facilities, sponsor an animal
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: Mar 5 2010
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