Walk on the wild side - seven zoos and animal parks to visit while staying at Blackdown Yurts

We watched such a fantastic movie last weekend and it inspired me to write a list of the zoos and wildlife parks that you can visit while on holiday in the region.

It was only at the end of We Bought a Zoo*, which stars Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, that I discovered it was inspired by real-life events at Dartmoor Zoo here in Devon rather than being a story from the USA where the film is set. We've not visited Dartmoor Zoo ourselves yet, but it is now firmly on the list for this year. 

Visiting a zoo is a fantastic family day out while on holiday and one of the benefits of Blackdown Yurts being located in Mid-Devon is that you can go in pretty much any direction to find one. I've listed these in order of distance to reach them. Some are large, some are tiny, all are fascinating places to visit so here goes: 

1. Wildwood Devon 
Escot Park, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1LY     7 miles, 22 minutes away

One of our favourite local places to visit, previously called Wildwood Escot, recently rebranded as Wildwood Devon. With a focus on rewilding and hopefully eventually reintroducing species that used to be native back the UK, Wildwood has wolves, bears, otters, wild boar and more set within a wooded area which is part of the Escot Park estate. They put on bird of prey flying demonstrations and we had the most magical encounter with a red squirrel once in their walk through enclosure.

What else is there? There is lots to see besides the animals including a maze, climbing wall, reconstruction of an Anglo Saxon village and bookable activities at the Devon Activity Centre including segway, quad biking, clay shooting, archery, axe throwing and more. You must book ahead to avoid disappointment. You can spend a whole day out here, and there is a cafe in the old stable block. 

2. Tropiquaria Wildlife Park 
Washford Cross, Watchet TA23 0QB         24 miles, 50 minutes away

Not one we have visited personally (yet) but it certainly sounds interesting from their website. The indoor exhibits are contained in a former Art Deco BBC radio transmitter station dating from 1933, with four acres of animal enclosures grounds to explore outside including two full size pirate ships and an adventure castle. 

What else is there? Watchet is a historic harbour town on the Somerset coast around 5 minutes drive from Tropiquaria. Also close by is the National Trust’s spectacular Dunster Castle. 

3. Shaldon Zoo 
Ness Drive, Shaldon, Teignmouth TQ14 0HP  32 miles, 44 minutes away

We think Shaldon is perfect for little people as it is small but perfectly formed meaning it won’t take too long to go around or be over-whelming. It’s only little and it specialises in primates such as monkeys and lemurs although there are other animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians too. 

What else is there? Shaldon Zoo is right beside the sea, you can walk from the zoo through a smugglers tunnel to Ness Cove Beach. Last time we went there was a cracking cafe in the car park, cafe-ODE I think it is. 

4. Paignton Zoo
Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU              40 miles, 51 minutes away

The first animal park we visited when we moved to Devon in 2016. The largest of Devon’s zoo offerings, you can easily spend a whole day here. Watch out for cheeky seagulls who might steal your ice cream (speaking from experience, you have been warned).  Paignton started life as Torbay Zoo and turns 100 in July 2023.
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What else is there? Paignton Zoo offers a number of experiences including junior keeper, zoo keeper, giant tortoise, giraffe and rhino where you can get up close and personal. See their website for more information. Paignton Zoo is also close to the Splashdown Quaywest water park at Goodrington Sands. 

5. Exmoor Zoo
Twitchen Lane South, Barnstaple EX31 4SG   41 miles, 58 minutes away

Not one we have visited yet, their website claims to have the only black leopard in captivity in the UK. Exmoor also offers experiences. 
What else is there? Once at Exmoor Zoo you are only 20 minutes from the picturesque Valley of the Rocks on the North Devon coast. You could also take the scenic route home across Exmoor for some fabulous scenery.

6. Dartmoor Zoo
Plymouth PL7 5DG                            55 miles, 1 hour 5 mins away

Originally a wild animal collection in the 1960s, Dartmoor Zoo was threatened with closure in 2006 until Benjamin Mee and his family bought the zoo and rebuilt both it and its reputation. After nine years in private ownership the zoo was donated to the Dartmoor Zoological Society, the charity that runs it today. We’ve not had the pleasure of visiting ourselves yet, but have sure been inspired to by the film so hope to visit later this year. 

What else is there? Dartmoor Zoo is close to both Plymouth, billed as Britain’s Ocean City, full of maritime heritage, and Dartmoor National Park.
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7. Wild Place Project
Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP          65 miles, 1 hour 8 mins away

Bristol Zoological Gardens closed in September 2022 after 186 years in the centre of Clifton. However they have moved out to a new purpose-built, more spacious location to the north of Bristol. The new Bristol Zoo aims to carry on the conservation work of the Bristol Zoological Society while providing an innovative visitor experience in a more spacious and natural landscape. 

What else is there? Easily accessible off the M5, Wild Place Project is a stone’s throw from the massive mall that is Cribbs Causeway shopping centre and other amenities such as the Vue Cinema and Hollywood Bowl.

A little wild reading:

I’ve already downloaded Benjamin Mee’s book "We bought a Zoo" which tells the story of their adventure at Dartmoor Zoo. Benjamin is portrayed by Matt Damon in the film. The film has taken a bit of artistic licence with the story so I'm looking forward to reading about it in Benjamin's own words.

Another fabulous book about building a zoo from scratch is “Our Zoo” by June Mottershead whose father George began Chester Zoo in 1931. The book was made into a charming series by the BBC that aired in 2014. Chester Zoo is also on my list to visit one day. 

*Trigger warning - the movie We bought a Zoo deals sensitively with the loss of a parent and the journey the husband and children take in navigating their grief but it may be a trigger for some. That said, it may also provide solace as it is handled beautifully and Matt Damon and the child actors play their parts brilliantly. We loved it.

​At the time of writing We Bought a Zoo is available on Disney+

Disclaimer:
Distances and durations are from Google Maps and are approximate. Actual distances and durations may of course vary. An interactive map of places to visit from Blackdown Yurts is available on our Touchstay digital guest information book.

Be sure to check the attractions’ websites for current opening times and entry prices and all other details before you travel. Pre-booking is advised and is likely essential for experiences. Click on the zoo names above to visit their websites.

​I have Marwell Zoo in Hampshire to thank for my decision to study Zoology at University (along with all of David Attenborough's wonderful television output from the Natural History Unit in Bristol). We can argue the merits or otherwise of keeping animals in captivity, however I think they have a place especially if they are also involved in conservation and education, practically helping to protect endangered species and inspiring the next generation to look after the natural world and get up close and personal with wild animals without the cost, both financial and environmental, of travelling to see them in the wild.

Photographs featured are from our trips to Wildwood and Paignton Zoo.