Howletts Wild Animal Park

Howletts Wild Animal Park, Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, UK
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent is a 90-acre wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the care and conservation of endangered animals. Home to over 390 animals, it’s the perfect place for families to experience nature while supporting a vital cause. Every visit helps protect species through conservation and breeding programs.

Visitors can see the UK’s largest herd of African elephants, gorillas, leopards, giant anteaters, and enjoy immersive activities like Walking with Lemurs or Animal Encounters. The park also features the Ice Age Trail with life-size prehistoric creatures, offering fun and learning for all ages. New animal births throughout the year mean there’s always something new to see.

Standard admission is £23.64 for adults and £18.18 for children (3–15), with optional donation-inclusive prices slightly higher. Concessions are also available.

With cafés, seasonal events, and a peaceful woodland setting, Howletts is more than just a zoo—it’s a true wildlife experience. It’s a fantastic day out that combines fun, education, and conservation in one unforgettable visit.
 

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

  • The Animals: Howletts is a wildlife sanctuary and home to over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county!
  • Animal Encounters: Get even closer to your favorite species on an unforgettable animal encounter. You will join a small group of fellow animal-lovers and one of our expert Animal Keepers, who will escort you to an exclusive, often behind-the-scenes area of the park. 
  • Animals of the Ice Age: Discover a world lost in time, as you marvel at the life size prehistoric creatures taking over the Woodland Walk.  Wonder at the mighty mammoth, stare at the savage sabre toothed Smilodon and delight at the sheer size of the giant sloth, plus many more. 
  • Walking with Lemurs: You can walk alongside our lively lemurs in their natural leafy enclosure as the playful primates explore the branches overhead. See ring tailed lemurs, crowned and red-bellied lemurs in this ever popular walk-through lemur experience found in the heart of Kent.
     

Facilities

  • Food & Drinks: There are 3 cafes and several seasonal kiosks serving snacks, pizza, ice creams, donuts, burgers, hot & Cold drinks etc. 
  • Parking: The car park is very large with parking bays on grass and on hard standing.
  • Toilets: Toilet facilities including disabled toilets and baby changing are located at various points around the park and marked on the park maps. 

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Standard price: 

  • Adult: £23.64
  • Child (3-15yrs): £18.18
  • Adult Concession: £20.91
  • Child Concession (3-15yrs): £16.36

Price Including 10% donation:

  • Adult: £26.00
  • Child (3-15yrs): £20.00
  • Adult Concession: £23.00
  • Child Concession (3-15yrs): £18.00
     

Pricing URL: https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/?_gl=1*1sg1yum*_up*MQ..*_ga*MzEwMTE4MTc5LjE3NTM2NzYxMzg.*_ga_VBFHZNJFGS*czE3NTM2NzYxMzYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTM2NzYxMzYkajYwJGwwJGg1NzkyOTY3ODE.#

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Winter (3rd Nov to 28th March '25)

  • During this time, Park will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 4pm 
  • Howletts will be closed Monday – Thursday commencing Monday 3rd November 2025 - Friday 27th March 2026
  • Park will be open all week for the UK school holidays: 20/12/2025 – 04/01/2025 (Christmas) / 14/02/2026 – 22/02/2026 (Feb half term). Closed Christmas Day.
  • Park will re-open fully for the season on Friday 27th March 2026

Summer (1st April - 2nd November)

  • Summer (1st April to 2nd November) 09.30-17.00 Monday to Sunday – except school holidays, Bank Holidays and summer holidays 09.30-18.00

Address: Howletts Wild Animal Park, Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, UK

Post Code: CT4 5EL

Council: Canterbury

County: Kent

  • By Public Transport: Howletts wild animal park is a 90 minute train journey from Victoria station in London, via Canterbury East to Bekesbourne station.  
  • By Car: Howletts wild animal park is in the South East corner of Kent and lies just off the A2 past Canterbury. It is also a short distance from Folkestone and the southern coast of England. If you are travelling via car and prefer to use a Sat Nav please use Post code CT4 5EL. Parking is available on site.
     

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