Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Portadown brings families straight to C&J's Animal Park, an educational animal sanctuary and rescue farm located in County Armagh. This friendly outdoor and indoor visitor venue allows children and adults to encounter a diverse collection of farm animals, exotic pets, and reptiles up close. Visitors can pay for admission directly on-site at reception.
Standard admission prices for the sanctuary start from £10.00 for adults and £8.50 for children aged 2 to 15 or concessions. Family tickets covering two adults and two children are available from £33.00, with each additional child costing £7.00, while infants under the age of 2 enter free of charge.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines hands-on animal interactions with a relaxed woodland and farm setting, this County Armagh attraction offers a brilliant experience. Its daily handling sessions, rescue animal focus, and welcoming environment make it a top choice for local families.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Portadown Town Centre: Local shopping, cafes, and family amenities a short drive away.
- Craigavon Lakes: Scenic walking and recreational paths situated nearby.
- Oxford Island National Nature Reserve: Nature trails and bird-watching spots on the shores of Lough Neagh.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the friendly, welcoming attitude of the staff members who make children feel at ease during handling sessions.
- The intimate, manageable size of the park makes it ideal for toddlers and younger children who might get overwhelmed at massive commercial zoos.
- Visitors appreciate the strong focus on animal rescue and welfare, adding an educational layer to the day out.
- The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces ensures a pleasant visit regardless of changing weather.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some visitors note that the gravel pathways can occasionally make pushchair navigation slightly bumpy.
- Catering options on-site are limited to light snacks and drinks, meaning visitors need to pack their own lunch for substantial meals.
- Certain outdoor paddocks may look quieter during winter months when specific animals move into indoor barns.
Attractions and Experiences:
- The Main Animal Paddocks: Housing donkeys, ponies, and goats.
- The Small Animal Petting Barn: Home to rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
- The Reptile and Amphibian House: Enclosures featuring snakes, lizards, and frogs.
- The Aviary Section: Showcasing parrots and various birds.
- Indoor Picnic Area: Sheltered seating space for visitors.
- Outdoor Picnic Lawns: Open-air tables for sunny days.
- Entrance Reception & Feed Shop: Where visitors purchase entry tickets and approved animal feed.
- The Handwashing Stations: Strategically placed sanitary blocks for hygiene after handling animals.
- The Souvenir Display Area: Small nature items and park information points.
- The Outreach Mobile Unit: Traveling animal encounter setup for schools and community events.
New for 2026:
- Refreshed Winter Housing Layouts: Updated indoor barn arrangements to keep rescue animals warm and visible to visitors during colder months.
- Expanded Educational Signage: New informational boards detailing the individual stories of rescued residents across the park.
- Enhanced Path Maintenance: Improved gravel pathways ensuring smoother pushchair and wheelchair access around core enclosures.
31.83 miles
