Advertise Your Business Free For 30 Days!

Generate enquiries by adding your listing now and pay nothing until 18th May 2024*.

Get Started

Or Submit a Basic Listing

*£4.99 p/m thereafter

Animals / Zoo

Zoo Bournemouth or Poole: 12 Popular Options

Curated by . Last updated on 20th February 2023 12:15pm.

Zoo Bournemouth or Poole: 12 Popular Options

Are you looking for a zoo Bournemouth or Poole-based and want some ideas?  There are many places locally where you can see animals, and a great variety too — from exotic far flung places to rare animals native to the UK.  Here is a list of some suggestions to get you started.


1. Farmer Palmers Farm Park Poole

Facilities include:
Zoo Bournemouth: Farmer Palmers Farm Park

Great value family fun on the farm, Farmer Palmers is specifically designed for small children and is the perfect place to explore with your little ones.

Farmer Palmers is a fantastic family day out, focused exclusively on you and your little VIPs. If you are looking for an animal park or a zoo Bournemouth or Poole-based, the farm is one of the best things to do locally for children aged 0-8, and has recently opened the world's first 'World of Dinosaur Roar!' trail.

Full Profile

 01202 622022  shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk  


Want Your Business & Photo Shown On A Page Like This?

Benefit from a FREE full web page of your business and contact information for 30 days* now.
*£4.99 p/m thereafter

Get Started Or Submit a Basic Listing

2. Oceanarium Bournemouth

At the Oceanarium, an underwater zoo Bournemouth-based, you can interact with hundreds of incredible animals. They provide behind-the-scenes animal encounters, such as having a penguin grab a fish directly out of your hand, seeing a shark's fangs in action, or seeing into the eyes of Carrie, their friendly turtle. You'll also see all of the amazing exhibits and learn about the our planet's underwater mysteries. The sprightly penguins of the polar flourish in the icy waters of the arctic, while the balmy seas of Key West are alive with fish of each and every colour. Then there's the enigmatic Amazon, where the fish have teeth, and the deep - sea depths of the Abyss, where people are the outsiders.


3. Putlake Adventure Farm Swanage

Tractor rides, outdoor play equipment, and a variety of animals are available at this family-oriented farm. Their enormous indoor soft play area is undoubtedly one of Dorset's best. Putlake Adventure Farm, Swanage's unique adventure farm and indoor soft play area for up to 10 miles, will delight children aged 0 to 10. Animals, tractor rides, outdoor play equipment, pedal Go-Karts, picnic spaces, trampolines, birds, a pet centre, tearooms, and much more can be found on this functioning farm. They have a variety of large and small animals that can be bottle fed and even held in your hands. A great alternative to a zoo Bournemouth and Poole-based, enjoy the beautiful scenery listening to cows moo and alpacas graze.


4. Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park Verwood

Go down and have a one-of-a-kind experience at one of the UK's last remaining Heavy Horse Centres. Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk Punch, Percheron, and Ardennes breed horses live on this multi-award-winning day out and conservation farm. They welcome guests of all ages to escape to the magical depths of Dorset and unravel the history of the beloved Heavy Horse that has powered man for generations, making them a perfect choice when looking for an animal farm or zoo Bournemouth-based. Join them for a unique and instructive experience, whether you are a family group, grandparent, or young couple. Their skilled farm keepers and horseman provide a full day of events for both adults and children.


5. Monkey World Wareham

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is a 65-acre park in the middle of the Dorset countryside if you're looking specifically for a zoo Bournemouth-based. Over 260 rescued monkeys and apes from 24 different species call it home. Since 1987, the rescue centre has aided governments around the world in preventing the smuggling of primates from the wild. Refugees from the illegal trade, as well as those who have been abused or neglected, are rehabilitated into natural living groups at the Center. Monkey World is home these rescued and endangered primates, including the world's largest chimp population outside of Africa, three orang-utan groups and Europe's only orang-utan creche, five gibbon species, and 14 monkey and prosimians species.


6. Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens Dorchester

Families can have a wonderful day out at Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Grounds, where they can view all of the animals enjoying the sun and explore the beautiful gardens. The animal park contains everything from ducks, pigs, and sheep to chickens, guinea pigs, and rabbits, making it an excellent option for a zoo Bournemouth-based. Take a relaxing stroll through their beautiful formal gardens, designed in 1922 in the Jardin Anglais style by renowned landscape gardener Capability Brown. Visit the Estate Shop and Barn Café, offering a delectable selection accommodating all tastes and dietary needs, including hot and cold beverages, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, crisps, and fruit; or pack a picnic. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day.


7. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre Ringwood

Liberty's Owl, Raptor, and Reptile Centre is great choice for a zoo Bournemouth-based and is named after Liberty, an Alaskan Bald Eagle who is one of the many birds on show there. At Liberty's, you'll find a big collection of birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and vultures, as well as a Reptile House with a variety of reptiles and other creepy crawlies. They also offer falconry and photography experience days, and hawking days for those who wish to get up up and personal with some of the birds. The team continues to serve as a rehabilitation centre for many wounded wild birds, attempting to rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild whenever feasible.


8. Sea Life Adventure Park Weymouth

The Sealife Centre in Weymouth, which opened in 1983, is a fantastic place to learn about the magnificent aquatic world. They're home to approximately 1,000 animals in 13 zones, as well as Pisces III, a legendary 20-foot-long 'small' submarine that was rescued in 1973 after a 72-hour ordeal with two crew members on board. In their newly re-imagined Ocean Tunnel display, you can also witness the 24-hour marvel of a coral reef as it transforms from night to day. Play in the Caribbean Cove Galleon, Dorset's greatest adventure playground, and whilst seeing giant sharks, feisty seals, fascinating stingrays, seahorses, the world's smallest penguins, and numerous tropical fish, at this fantastic alternative to a zoo Bournemouth-based.


9. New Forest Reptile Centre Lyndhurst

Visit the New Forest Reptile Centre for a 'A Date With Nature' adventure. You can peer right into the tree-top nests of the New Forest Goshawk and observe their every move – from eggs hatching to food arriving and chicks leaving – using the newest hi-tech equipment. The New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst is a top 'zoo Bournemouth' option, with staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions and explain more about the birds' behaviour, as well as a live webcam on display for visitors. Unique fauna, such as reptiles and amphibians native to the New Forest, can also be seen in 'pods' at the Centre. The Reptile Centre has seasonal hours of operation, run by Forestry England.


Want Your Business & Photo Shown On A Page Like This?

Benefit from a FREE full web page of your business and contact information for 30 days* now.
*£4.99 p/m thereafter

Get Started Or Submit a Basic Listing

10. Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre Wareham

Margaret Green Animal Rescue takes in pets who have become homeless as a result of a life transition. Since 1965, they've been finding forever homes. Each pet will be greeted with a warm bed, a caring crew, and all the love and respect they deserve. They take pleasure in the high level of care that each rescue pet receives. Pets are groomed and rehabilitated in preparation for a new home, in addition to receiving veterinary treatment. Cats, horses, donkeys, pigs, lambs, goats, rabbits, chicks, ducks, and a variety of other animals are cared for at the Church Knowle Rehoming and Visitor Centre. On weekends, you can visit the centre as an alternative to a zoo Bournemouth-based.


11. New Forest Wildlife Park Ashurst

The New Forest Wildlife Park, a wonderful choice if you're looking for a zoo Bournemouth-based, is home to a variety of wild species, including wolves, lynx, wallabies, otters, owls, birds of prey, and deer, as well as expansive playgrounds. It's a peaceful retreat where you may breathe fresh air and reconnect with nature. They're also enthusiastic about wildlife and conservation, and they want to inspire visitors to learn more about it. Many of the creatures are on the IUCN endangered species Red List, such as the giant otter, and they help breed and conserve them for the future. They were also the first park in the UK to send a captive-bred huge otter to a breeding programme in another country.


12. Marwell Zoo Winchester

If you want to visit a proper zoo Bournemouth-based, hundreds of rare and endangered creatures call Marwell Zoo home. By paying a visit, you will be helping to support the great conservation programmes in Hampshire and around the world. The lovely formal garden behind the ancient Marwell Hall is a must-see. Let your imagination run wild in one of the many adventure playgrounds. The new Okapi playground was created with everyone in mind and includes handicapped-accessible equipment. When wandering through the new wallaby walkthrough experience, you can get up and personal with wallabies. It's the ideal site to unwind and listen to the park's natural noises, with a lovely dwell area, brand new water feature, and natural seating.


Additional Resources

Some extra information that you might find useful when searching for ‘zoo Bournemouth or Poole’:


That’s the end of our list, thank you for reading 'Zoo Bournemouth or Poole: 12 Popular Options'. Do you know of any information we could add or have missed from this article? Feel free to get in touch and let us know.

Alternatively, you can have a look at the other lists within the Families section.


Would you like your business profile to appear on this website? Sign up now to get 30 days advertising for free!