I have found a stray wild animal, or have an unwanted exotic pet. Can I give it to the Twycross Zoo?
Twycross Zoo are members of BIAZA, EAZA, and WAZA and to ensure the health and welfare of our animals we can only accept animals from other members of these organisations.
If you find an animal in distress or are no longer able to care for a pet, we suggest contacting your local RSPCA Centre. Caring for an animal is a big responsibility that takes a lot of time and work, so please think carefully before buying any pet.
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Related FAQs
In 2023, Twycross Zoo is open daily, except for Christmas Day.
Tickets to Twycross Zoo include Adult (18+ years), Child (3-17 years) and Infant (under 3 years). Book online.
Remember to add gift aid to your ticket. Twycross Zoo is a charity and your tickets help us protect endangered species her at the zoo and around the world. If you add a 10% donation to your ticket we can claim tax back from the Government’s Gift Aid scheme. This means we receive an extra 25p for every £1 you spend at no extra cost to you.
For exclusive student discounts visit www.studentbeans.com/
Twycross Zoo is located on the A444 which can be accessed via the A5 and the M42 junction 11. Look out for the brown zoo signage on the roads on your journey. Click here for directions to Twycross Zoo.
Twycross Zoo is only place in the UK home to the four great apes. As well as being known worldwide as a specialist primate zoo, there are a variety of animals to see at Twycross Zoo. Click here to see a full list of our animals.
Our animals have access to both indoor and outdoor habitats. Just like us, animals like to have some peace and quiet and our habitats are designed to give them places they can relax – which may make it harder to spot them. If you cannot see an animal, we suggest checking back later during your visit. Alternatively ask at Guest Services or speak to a Zoo Keeper both of whom will be able to advise on the best time to see certain animals.
There are several large car parks at Twycross Zoo as well as a specific parking area for Blue Badge Holders located by the entrance of Twycross Zoo. Parking at Twycross Zoo is FREE. For more infomation click here.
Cafes, toilets, and most of our animal habitats are accessible by wheelchair. Assistance dogs are permitted at Twycross Zoo, although they are not allowed in some selected habitats. Speak to Guest Services on arrival for more details. A changing places facility is also available to use. Find out more about accessibility at Twycross Zoo here.
Yes. Mobility scooters, wheelchairs and strollers/buggies can be hired at Twycross Zoo. These are cleaned thoroughly after every use and remain safe to use across our zoo. Pre-booking recommended.
We pride ourselves on providing you with great value quality food. Our Himalaya Welcome Centre offers visitors a delicious array of food and drink featuring locally sourced ingredients from ethical suppliers. We also have a range of eateries on site, including The Catch Fish Bar and several open grassy areas and benches for picnics. Please note as we follow government guidance around Covid-19 some areas may be closed until further notice.
Twycross Zoo does not permit dogs. This includes in all car park areas and the Nature Reserve. We are unable to allow dogs as our animals may become distressed by the sight of a dog and also your dog may be upset by our animals. Assistance dogs are allowed into the zoo but are unable to go into several areas for the same reasons.
INFORMATION FROM THE RSPCA
Dogs must never be left in a car in warm weather, even with a window open. DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. On a warm day the temperature inside a car can quickly soar to 120˚F/49˚C or even higher. If an animal left in a car is panting for breath it may be on its way to suffering heatstroke. Heatstroke can kill an animal very quickly. Leaving windows open or putting a bowl of water in the car does not help. Owners who put an animal at risk in this way could face prosecution.
Animal Welfare Act
In April 2007 the Animal Welfare Act 2006 came into force making it an offence for anyone to allow unnecessary suffering to an animal. Shutting a dog in a car on a warm day can cause it suffering as even a little sun can turn a car into an oven. Dogs only have sweat glands on the soles of their feet and up to 90% of their body is covered by hair. Panting and salivating causes them to lose massive amounts of fluid and they dehydrate quickly. On a hot day a dog’s temperature can rise very quickly and they could suffer from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.
Twycross Zoo will not allow suffering to any animals, domestic or wild. Please be aware that visitors who bring a dog to the zoo will be asked leave and take the dog off site.
Becoming a zoo keeper takes a lot of work. A love of animals is, of course, essential! We would recommend getting as much experience as possible in zoos and wildlife centres. An animal-related degree is always an advantage.
We receive a large number of requests for prizes for fundraising events. Twycross Zoo is a charity, so we only have a limited number of prizes available to give away. Please contact information@twycrosszoo.org.
Our best value ticket is a Twycross Zoo Membership and more information can be found here. For information about admission tickets and the latest offers click here.
Yes, we accept most major credit and debit cards, and there is no charge for their use. As we follow government guidance around Covid-19 we advise that visitors pay by contactless card if they can when on site.
Twycross Zoo’s Conservation Welfare Fund has contributed way over £350,000 since it was created in 2006. It has supported over 55 conservation and welfare projects from 27 different countries. We currently support several conservation projects, find out more here.
We can take on work experience placements, however these are very popular. Please click here to see if we have any available placements.
Twycross Zoo welcomes research applications. Click here to find out more about previous projects and how to apply.
Twycross Zoo’s Nature Reserve is an inland water eco-system, developed to provide a natural habitat for rare and endangered native species. The Nature Reserve can be found towards the rear of our car parking area by following the signage.
Yes, we have plenty of outdoor picnic benches on site.
Yes, we have baby changing facilities in our Himalaya Welcome Centre and in our toilet facilities around the Twycross Zoo. Please note as we follow government guidance around Covid-19 some toilet facilities may be closed until further notice. Speak to Guest Services on your visit.
Yes, you can. Please inform a member of our team at our Ticket Kiosks if you intend to do this.
We have a team of fully first aid trained staff at Twycross Zoo. If you need first aid please ask the nearest member of staff for assistance. All of Twycross Zoo staff carry radios and can alert our team of first aiders. Our first aid protocol has changed in line with government guidance around Covid-19, however this won’t affect the first aid provided on site.
Smoking and vaping is permitted only in the designated smoking/vaping area. This is located to the left rear side of Guest Services. Please ensure you dispose of all rubbish safely in the bin provided.
We don’t have a cashpoint on site, however the gift shop offers cash back on purchases over £5. All of our pay points take contactless card.
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