Howletts Wild Animal Park - Image 1

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Bekesbourne, United Kingdom•4.5(5.3k)•Country Park, Wildlife Center, Zoo

Explore a 90-acre wildlife sanctuary home to over 390 rare and endangered animals, including giant anteaters, African elephants, gorillas, and leopards across beautiful ancient parkland.

Howletts Wild Animal Park is Kent's award-winning wildlife sanctuary dedicated to conservation, breeding, and reintroduction of endangered species. Spanning 90 acres of beautiful ancient parkland, the park offers families an immersive experience with over 390 animals, including the UK's largest herd of African elephants, Kent's only giant anteaters, and more gorillas, leopards, and monkeys than any other zoo in the county. Visitors can enjoy free animal talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the day, included with entry tickets. The park features special experiences such as Animal Experiences Days, where small groups can join expert Animal Keepers for exclusive behind-the-scenes encounters with favorite species. The unique Animals of the Ice Age attraction on the Woodland Walk showcases life-size prehistoric creatures, adding an educational and imaginative element to the visit. The venue caters to all ages and is pushchair-friendly, making it accessible for families with young children. On-site facilities include The Pavilion Restaurant and Deer Park Cafe for refreshments. Every visit directly supports vital conservation efforts through The Aspinall Foundation, allowing animals bred at the sanctuary to be reintroduced into the wild. The park consistently receives TripAdvisor certificates of excellence and offers excellent value through annual passes covering visits to multiple locations.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

The Pavilion Restaurant

Restaurant located at the centre of the park offering dining facilities for visitors

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Google Reviews

4.5(5.3k reviews)
R
Rosi Petkova

Rosi Petkova

3 weeks ago

We had a fantastic day at Howletts Wild Animal Park and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves wildlife. The park is well maintained, and it's clear that the animals are very well looked after. There is an excellent variety of species to see, with spacious enclosures that seem to prioritise the animals' welfare. We visited on a very hot day, so some of the animals were understandably resting in the shade or keeping out of sight. Even so, there was still plenty to see, and it was great to observe the animals. There is a schedule of feeding sessions and keeper talks throughout the day. These are really interesting and add to the experience, giving you the chance to learn more about the animals and the conservation work carried out by the park. You can easily spend a few hours here exploring everything at a relaxed pace. There is also free parking, along with a few kiosks and a café where you can grab food and drinks during your visit. Prices were reasonable. Overall, it's a wonderful wildlife park that offers a great day out for families, couples, and animal lovers alike. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!

T
Tony Clarke

Tony Clarke

a month ago

Great family day out. Plenty of parking, easy to find. Loved the kids play area and picnic areas. The talks from keepers were interesting. So many animals to see. Would definitely recommend.

T
The Grim Eater

The Grim Eater

a month ago

An excellent trip with the kids. Fantastic all round, from the range of animals, their wellbeing, the enclosure and overall park tidiness, and great value. Huge thanks and special mention to Charlie who held the talks today, who not only was massively passionate, but just as extremely knowledgeable. He was great with all questions and kept us and the kids very engaged and gave us a hugely important understanding of the great works the Aspinall Foundation does. Can’t wait to return.

J
Jade Oliver

Jade Oliver

2 months ago

Although we didn’t get to see all of the animals as it was hot, it was lovely to see the ones we did see. It was nice to know that the animals had enough places to hide from the sun and be comfortable. It was nice to see some animals being fed. The staff are really passionate about the animals, their health and their wellbeing. We did get to see some animals I have never seen before which was lovely. The food in the cafe was really nice and lots of places to stop and have picnics. There is also lots for kids to do which we did not need but as a childminder I appreciated.

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Tom Raffield

Tom Raffield

3 months ago

This was my visit to Howletts since I was a child and taking my own two daughters today (5 and 7) was a great way to head back. We have an annual pass from our visit to Port Lympne and wanted to make the most of it so headed over for May bank holiday. The park itself is large with lots to explore and see. The range of animals is excellent from elephants to tigers and wild dogs to monkeys. The star of the show however has to be the gorillas. There are two large enclosures to view with plenty of space to sit and observe the animals enjoying their time at Howletts. You could spend hours watching them! Along the way around the park we found a decent sized play area, a couple of cafes and a shop. An 'Ice Age' walk also featured life sized models of some animals from our distant past. Animal encounters are available at extra cost and we managed to watch the elephant encounter from up close which was fun for the children. All in all it was a lovely day out. Top tip, perhaps wait for warmer weather or head to Howletts layer the day. The warmer temperatures during the day are needed for the big cats to become more active! #familydadventures

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at Howletts Wild Animal Park

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about Howletts Wild Animal Park

Is Howletts Wild Animal Park free to visit?

Howletts Wild Animal Park is a paid attraction — see the official website for current ticket prices.

What ages is Howletts Wild Animal Park suitable for?

Howletts Wild Animal Park is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Howletts Wild Animal Park dog-friendly?

Dogs are not permitted at Howletts Wild Animal Park.

Is there parking at Howletts Wild Animal Park?

Yes, Howletts Wild Animal Park has on-site parking.

Is there food at Howletts Wild Animal Park?

Yes — The Pavilion Restaurant is on site at Howletts Wild Animal Park. Restaurant located at the centre of the park offering dining facilities for visitors

Is Howletts Wild Animal Park pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Howletts Wild Animal Park is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Howletts Wild Animal Park?

Howletts Wild Animal Park is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Howletts Wild Animal Park by public transport?

Howletts Wild Animal Park isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.
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