Blackpool Zoo

East Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8PP, England
1-99 Years
Paid

Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in Blackpool? Blackpool Zoo offers an amazing family day out spanning 32 acres of spacious parkland and woodland. Home to over a thousand animals from across the globe, this popular Lancashire zoo lets families get close to exotic wildlife, learn about global conservation, and enjoy exciting outdoor play areas.

Standard online adult day tickets start from £21.99, while child tickets for ages 3 to 15 are priced from £17.99 when booked in advance. Family ticket bundles for four people start from £71.99, and children under three years old enter completely free of charge.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines outdoor adventure with fascinating animal encounters, this destination delivers. Its engaging daily keeper talks, walkthrough exhibits, and welcoming visitor facilities make it a top choice for parents.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

  • Walkthrough Exhibit Zones: Immersive habitats where visitors can walk alongside free-roaming lemurs and colorful birds.
  • Interactive Keeper Talks: Daily educational feeds and talks detailing animal behavior, diets, and conservation efforts.
  • Outdoor Adventure Play Areas: Large themed play spaces offering climbing frames and slides for children of all ages.
  • Conservation Learning Hubs: Informative visitor displays highlighting global wildlife preservation and endangered species protection.

Top 5 Highlights

  • Project Elephant Base Camp: Watch magnificent Asian elephants roam across their huge outdoor paddock and splash in the deep pool from viewing areas.
  • The Orangutan Outlook: Observe intelligent orangutans swing across high ropes and interact with their environment in a custom-built indoor and outdoor habitat.
  • The Lemur Wood Walkthrough: Walk right among ring-tailed lemurs as they leap through the trees and sunbathe just steps away from the pathway.
  • Gorilla Mountain: Meet the resident family of western lowland gorillas as they forage, play, and relax in their expansive rocky enclosure.
  • The Children's Farmyard: Get up close with friendly domestic animals, goats, and sheep that younger children love to meet and feed.

Facilities

  • Luggage Storage: Not available on-site; visitors should keep personal belongings secure in their vehicles or carry them along.
  • Toilets & Changing Facilities: Multiple accessible toilet blocks and baby-changing stations located conveniently throughout the zoo grounds.
  • Food Options: On-site cafes, ice cream kiosks, and outdoor picnic areas offering hot meals, snacks, and children's lunch boxes.
  • Buggy Parking: Wide tarmac pathways make pushchair navigation easy across the park, with designated buggy parking spots near major indoor exhibits.

Pro-Tips:

  • Book Online in Advance: Purchasing tickets online before 11 PM saves money compared to higher gate prices on the day of your visit.
  • Arrive for Feeding Times: Check the daily keeper talk schedule upon arrival so you can watch animals at their most active.
  • Wear Comfortable Footwear: The zoo covers 32 acres of parkland, so supportive walking shoes are essential for exploring all the animal zones.

Targeted FAQ

  • Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, toddlers enjoy free entry under three years old, gentle animal encounters at the children's farmyard, and dedicated outdoor adventure play zones.
  • How long does a visit take? A typical visit to Blackpool Zoo lasts between 3 to 5 hours, giving families plenty of time to explore every animal exhibit and enjoy a lunch break.
  • Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is in the main dedicated visitor car park located directly on-site at the zoo entrance off East Park Drive.
  • How much does entry cost? Online advance adult day tickets start from £21.99, child tickets are from £17.99, and family tickets for four people start from £71.99.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

  • Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Iconic seaside amusement park offering thrilling rollercoasters and family rides nearby on the coast.
  • The Blackpool Tower: Historic entertainment landmark featuring panoramic observation decks, circus shows, and a tower dungeon.
  • Stanley Park: Expansive Grade II listed municipal park right next to the zoo featuring boating lakes, Italian gardens, and cafes.

What Visitors Love:

  • Parents frequently highlight the spacious park layout and beautiful woodland setting that makes a family day out feel relaxing.
  • Children love the immersive walkthrough exhibits where animals like lemurs and wallabies are right next to the path.
  • The knowledgeable keeper talks provide engaging and educational insights that keep kids entertained.
  • The variety of outdoor play areas gives children a chance to burn off energy between animal viewings.

What Visitors Don't Like:

  • Parking charges apply on top of admission prices, which can catch some visitors by surprise.
  • Catering queues can get very busy during peak summer weekends and school holidays.
  • Some steep inclines across the park grounds can require extra effort when pushing heavy buggies uphill.

Attractions & Activities

  • Project Elephant Base Camp: Dedicated Asian elephant viewing facility and expansive outdoor pool area.
  • Orangutan Outlook: Specialist indoor and outdoor primate habitat featuring climbing towers.
  • Gorilla Mountain: Rugged rock landscape home to a family group of western lowland gorillas.
  • Lemur Wood Walkthrough: Immersive forested enclosure allowing direct visitor proximity to free-roaming lemurs.
  • Wallaby Walkabout: Open Australian-themed habitat where wallabies roam freely around the visitor path.
  • Giraffe Heights: Elevated viewing platform giving visitors eye-to-eye contact with tall Rothschild giraffes.
  • Active Coast Sea Lion Pool: Daily public training and feeding demonstrations featuring energetic California sea lions.
  • Amazonia Indoor Rainforest: Humid walkthrough dome showcasing free-flying exotic birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
  • Miniature Zoo Train: Fun ridable miniature railway taking families on a scenic tour around the park grounds.
  • Active Play Zone: Children's outdoor adventure playground featuring slides, swings, and climbing frames.

New for 2026:

  • Enhanced Conservation Signage: Updated 2026 interactive educational boards detailing global endangered species protection programmes.
  • Refreshed Catering Units: Upgraded food and drink kiosks offering improved family meal deals across the main visitor grounds.
  • Streamlined Digital Ticketing: Faster online booking system and flexible 2026 open-day ticket options for visiting families.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Adult (16–59 years): £21.99 Online & £24.99 Gate.
  • Concession (Senior/Student): £20.99 Online & £22.99 Gate.
  • Child (3–15 years): £17.99 Online & £19.99 Gate.
  • Family of 4 (max. 2 adults): £71.99 Online & £80.99 Gate.
  • Family of 5 (max. 2 adults): £87.99 Online & £98.99 Gate.
  • Essential Companion: FREE.
  • Under 3 years: FREE.

Pricing URL: https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-hours-and-prices/prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

  • Information: Blackpool Zoo hosts unforgettable children's birthday parties, family celebrations, and private corporate events with dedicated catering and animal encounters.
  • Inquiries: Party bookings and availability can be arranged by contacting the zoo events team directly via phone or through the official website enquiry portal.

The zoo is open daily from 10am

Address: East Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8PP, England

Post Code: FY3 8PP

Council: Blackpool

County: Lancashire

  • By Bus: Regular local bus services run from Blackpool town centre directly to the zoo entrance.
  • By Car: Located on East Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire (postcode FY3 8PP), easily reached via the M55 motorway.
  • Car Parking: Large dedicated visitor car parking is available on-site directly outside the main entrance.

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