Twycross Zoo is one of the major British zoos and is home to over 1000 animals of 200 different species, most of which are extremely rare in the wild. With the largest collection of primate species in the western world, Twycross Zoo is also known as the World Primate Centre. It is the only zoo in the UK to care for all four species of great ape including the only colony of bonobos in the UK.
Discover your favourite animals and don’t miss the chance to see one of the daily animal presentations. Sea lions and penguins are fed daily and the elephants work with their keepers as part of their healthcare routine.
Twycross Zoo, which opened in 1963, is situated in 50 acres of parkland near the small village of Twycross, Leicestershire. Originally a small private collection, it became a charitable trust in 1972 to educate the public about the plight of animals in the wild and the desperate need to help conserve endangered species.
Visit the children’s rides and Pets at Twycross, where you can get up close to the animals and find out how to care for them. Easter 2010 sees the opening of “Himalaya” The new elephant walkway “Uda Walawe”, an Asian-themed trail and bridge over the elephants’ bathing pool will open in summer. See our latest arrival “Ganesh”; a baby Asian elephant with a comical character.
Twycross is a popular visitor attraction for families and school children welcoming over 500,000 visitors annually. Opening times for visitors are summer 10.00 am – 5.30 pm and winter 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; the Zoo is open 364 days a year only closing Christmas Day.
Twycross has informal and formal education programmes for all sectors of society about wildlife conservation. We incorporate our animals wherever possible into regional and global breeding programmes to aid species conservation. We have developed environmental enrichment programmes to give our animals a fulfilled life, both physically and mentally.
Twycross Zoo is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and Wildlife Information Network (WIN) organisations which represent their member collections and promote the values of good zoos and aquariums.
Contact Us
You can see our website here.
You can also call us on 01827 880 250 or email us.
