Twycross Zoo

Basic Information

Twycross Zoo can be found near the village of Twycross. Basically this is approx 50 minutes from Leicester Centre so for this trip a car is probably necessary!! (Parking is free, your parents could probably take you if you ask nicely!)

Admission is relatively cheap at just £8 for adults £4.50 for children aged 3-14 and only £5.50 for senior citizens… Take the whole family!! Except the family dog, as strictly no dogs are allowed, even in the car park. The only exception is Seeing Eye dogs; however there may be restrictions as to where you can go.

Twycross Zoo is open throughout the year ONLY closing on Christmas day, opening at 10am until 5.30pm during the summer season and 4.pm during the winter season.

Twycross Zoo first opened in 1963 in Leicestershire, starting off with a fairly small collection it is now one of the major British zoos and is probably most famous for its large collection of primates. The zoo is involved in many captive breeding programmes for endangered animals, as over half of the animals housed at the zoo are n fact classed as endangered species.

Recently at the zoo…

There have been a few births including a baby chocolate coloured chimpanzee named Honey (born 30 March 2005). There are quite a few baby monkeys and we even spotted a few baby otters amongst the adults!!
There is said to be approximately 1000 animals at the zoo… so it’s a good day out!!

Something not to miss is the feeding of the Penguins and Sea Lions and the elephant training. Unfortunately there are no longer any tigers at Twycross as they have been moved to other zoos at part of a breeding program. And the reptile house may be closed as it is currently being refurbished.

I have to say it was a fun day out with a few friends. Picnic on the grass by the monkeys, even seeing a member of staff carrying the tiniest little monkey ever! By far the best was the monkey that was so interested in my camera’s memory card!

Although people have varying views on zoo’s and people question how he animals are treated I thought the animals at Twycross were very well looked after and had plenty of room to move about in.