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Lake District Wildlife Park

4.6
·3k reviews·Bassenthwaite, United Kingdom

Discover over 100 species of exotic and domestic animals in a stunning Lake District setting. Enjoy shows, feeding, and family fun.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, better viewing

CrowdLow
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Lemur

Lake District Wildlife Park

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, better viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover over 100 species of exotic and domestic animals in a stunning Lake District setting. Enjoy shows, feeding, and family fun.

4.6
(3k reviews)

"Easily the best day of our holiday, spending 5 hours here was unforgettable!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by booking your admission tickets in advance.

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the 24-acre park, so comfy footwear is essential.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bird of Prey Show

Bird of Prey Show

Witness incredible aerial displays and learn from passionate keepers. A must-see for all ages!

Reddit
Animal Encounters

Animal Encounters

Hand-feed friendly farm animals like goats and alpacas. A hands-on experience kids adore!

Instagram
Exotic Animal Exhibits

Exotic Animal Exhibits

Explore diverse species from zebras and meerkats to red pandas and gibbons.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit: Timing is Key

Beat the crowds by visiting on weekdays, especially outside of school holidays. Arrive early to enjoy feeding times and shows without the rush. Check the park's schedule for bird of prey displays and keeper talks for an enriched experience. Reddit

Dress for Adventure

The Lake District Wildlife Park is an outdoor attraction, so dress for the weather! Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring the 24 acres. Layers are recommended, and waterproofs are a good idea, even on a sunny day. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Spring & Autumn
Why
Pleasant weather, fewer visitors
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Have you visited the Lake District Wildlife Park? It’s a great day out for all and guests who are staying at Armathwaite Hall Hotel receive 2 for the price of 1 admission with accompanying children free! @lakes_wildlife
armathwaitehallhotel
13 likes • 1.1K views

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by booking your admission tickets in advance. Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the 24-acre park, so comfy footwear is essential. Reddit

The Lake District Wildlife Park offers the perfect family day out this Spring!! Hand feed sheep, goats, alpacas and more and see some amazing wildlife! @lakes_wildlife 🌳🐑☀️ #lakedistrict #lakedistrictnews #lakedistrictuk #keswick
oninthelakes
103 likes • 2.1K views
Walk on the wild side at The Lake District Wildlife Park in Bassenthwaite, near Keswick @lakes_wildlife With the backdrop of the Skiddaw Massif, journey on food around the 24 acres of parkland visiting over 100 species of wild and domestic animals cared for in this beautiful setting by their qualified and highly motivated keepers. Purchase some feed from the gift shop so you can handfeed the goa...
visitkeswick
0 likes • 2.4K views

🍎 Pack a Picnic

Enjoy your own food in designated picnic areas or dine at the reasonably priced on-site cafe. Reddit

📸 Capture the Moments

Bring your camera or phone to snap photos of the animals and beautiful park scenery. Instagram

Lake District Wildlife Park #lakedistrict #lakedistrictwildlifepark #zooanimals #zoo #daytrip #thingstodo
wandering_charley
5 likes • 117 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by booking your admission tickets in advance. Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the 24-acre park, so comfy footwear is essential. Reddit

🍎 Pack a Picnic

Enjoy your own food in designated picnic areas or dine at the reasonably priced on-site cafe. Reddit

📸 Capture the Moments

Bring your camera or phone to snap photos of the animals and beautiful park scenery. Instagram

💰 Animal Feed Purchase

Buy feed bags at entry to interact with goats, sheep, and other friendly farm animals. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Lake District Wildlife Park for its beautiful countryside setting, friendly and informative staff, and the variety of well-maintained animal enclosures. Many highlight the bird of prey show and the interactive animal feeding experiences as standout attractions, making it a highly recommended day out for families and animal lovers alike. Some minor improvement works were noted, but these did not detract from the overall positive experience.

"We went in November because we were trying to find something to do because the weather was too bad for our hiking plans, and I am so so glad we found this little gem of a place. The value for money is amazing for all the animals you see. We thought we'd found somewhere to kill a couple of hours but ended up spending 5 hours there and it was easily the best day of our holiday. The staff are so friendly and informative; being able to see the lynx, red panda and gibbon feeds was amazing and the owl display/ talk was really special. Firmly recommend (it is still outdoors so dress accordingly)"

Harriet Barrett

"I recently visited the Lake District Wildlife Park and really enjoyed the day. The park is set in beautiful countryside with lovely views of the fells, which made the visit feel very relaxing. There is a good variety of animals, from zebras and meerkats to birds of prey, and the enclosures are spacious and well looked after. The staff were friendly and happy to share information, which made it more interesting. It felt calm and family-friendly, not overcrowded, so we could take our time. It’s a great place for children and adults, and I would happily recommend it for a day out."

Ehab Zahran

"We booked online for a family of 4. Wonderful day out at wildlife park. Plenty to see, plenty to do. Various animals, birds and playground for children. There is a picnic area outside, dine inside, gift shop, toilets. You can feed some animals with special food from the shop.
Generous parking.
Overall it was a pleasant experience!"

Andreea Silvia Ulman

What People Like

Beautiful countryside setting
Friendly and informative staff
Excellent bird of prey show

What People Dislike

Ongoing improvement works

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The park is located in Bassenthwaite, near Keswick. It's accessible by car with generous parking available. InstagramReddit Public transport options might be limited, so driving is often the most convenient way to reach the park. Check local bus routes if relying on public transport.

Yes, there is generous parking available on-site, making it easy for visitors arriving by car. Reddit

While driving is the most common method, you can explore local bus routes from nearby towns like Keswick. It's advisable to check the latest schedules and routes in advance. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices can vary, and booking online in advance is often recommended. Some hotels offer deals, like 2 for 1 admission. Instagram Check the official website for the most current pricing for individuals and families.

Yes, you can typically purchase tickets on the door, but booking online might offer better value or guarantee entry during peak times. Instagram

Guests staying at Armathwaite Hall Hotel can receive 2 for 1 admission. Instagram Keep an eye out for special offers or family packages that might be available.

Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Lake District Wildlife Park website for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing times before your visit.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The park is home to over 100 species, including zebras, meerkats, birds of prey, red pandas, gibbons, and various farm animals like goats and sheep. InstagramReddit

Absolutely! The birds of prey show is highly recommended and usually runs twice a day. Keeper talks and feeding sessions also offer great insights. Reddit

Yes, the park features a children's adventure play area, making it a great spot for families. Reddit

You can purchase special feed bags at the shop to hand-feed certain animals like goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and alpacas. InstagramReddit

The park is described as reasonably flat with plenty of places to sit, making it accessible for those who can't walk far. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is an on-site cafe that offers reasonably priced food. Reddit Visitors can also bring their own picnics to enjoy in designated areas.

The on-site restaurant offers a good selection, and even when advised of a wait, service can be surprisingly quick. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The park offers beautiful countryside views with fells in the background. Reddit Focus on capturing the animals in their enclosures and during feeding times or shows for dynamic shots. Instagram

Yes, photography is encouraged! Capture the diverse species and their behaviors. Remember to be respectful of the animals and avoid flash photography if it might disturb them. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Lake District Wildlife Park is a fantastic family day out. Kids will love the chance to hand-feed friendly farm animals like goats and sheep, and the adventure play area provides hours of fun. InstagramReddit The bird of prey show is a definite highlight, captivating both young and old with its impressive displays. Reddit Consider arriving early to enjoy the park before it gets too busy and to catch the feeding times. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture all the smiles!

🚶‍♀️ Budget Travelers

For a budget-friendly day out, the Lake District Wildlife Park offers excellent value. Booking tickets online can sometimes offer savings, and the on-site cafe is reasonably priced. Reddit Alternatively, packing a picnic is a great way to keep costs down while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Reddit The park's manageable size means you can see a lot without excessive walking, making it an efficient use of your time and energy.

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

The park provides a wonderful backdrop for photography, with its scenic countryside setting and diverse range of animals. InstagramReddit Capture the action during the bird of prey shows or the intimate moments during animal feeding sessions. Reddit+1 The enclosures are designed to offer good viewing angles, and the variety of species ensures a rich portfolio of shots, from close-ups of exotic creatures to wider landscape views of the park. Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Day of Discovery: What to Expect

The Lake District Wildlife Park offers a refreshing alternative to larger, more commercial zoos. Spread across 24 acres, it provides a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful views of the surrounding fells. Reddit Visitors often spend longer than anticipated, with many describing it as the best day of their holiday, highlighting the value for money and the engaging experience. Reddit

Key attractions include the highly praised bird of prey show, where passionate keepers share their knowledge, and the opportunity to hand-feed a variety of farm animals like goats and alpacas. Reddit The park also houses a diverse collection of exotic animals, from meerkats and zebras to red pandas and gibbons, ensuring there's something to fascinate everyone. Instagram

Facilities are well-equipped, with an on-site cafe offering reasonably priced meals, a gift shop, and clean toilets. For families, the adventure play area is a big hit. The park is also noted for being accessible for those with mobility issues, with a manageable layout and plenty of resting spots. Reddit

Wildlife Encounters: Beyond the Enclosures

While the park's main draw is its collection of over 100 species of exotic and domestic animals, the surrounding Cumbria landscape also offers opportunities for wildlife spotting. A walk near Bassenthwaite Lake, for instance, has historically been a good spot for seeing red squirrels and ospreys. Reddit

At the park itself, the emphasis is on interactive experiences. Purchasing feed bags allows for direct engagement with animals like goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and alpacas, creating memorable moments, especially for children. InstagramReddit The keeper talks and feeding sessions, particularly for animals like the lynx, red panda, and gibbons, provide educational insights and a closer look at the animals' behaviors. Reddit

Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of subjects, from the majestic birds of prey in flight to the curious expressions of the smaller mammals. The natural setting of the park enhances the photographic opportunities, offering a blend of wildlife and scenic beauty. Instagram+1

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