If you love getting up close and personal with animals, this guide takes a closer look at some of the best zoos, animal parks, and farms near Whitby.
Are you looking for the perfect family day out or an animal experience? There are plenty of exciting zoos, animal parks and farms near to Whitby! So whether you live nearby or you are visiting for a few days, these attractions offer a fun and educational way to spend your day.
Flamingo Land
- A 40-minute drive from Whitby.
- Theme park and zoo.
- Animal experiences.
Set in 375 acres of glorious North Yorkshire countryside, Flamingo Land is an excellent destination for a family day out. The resort boasts over 50 rides, attractions for adults and children of all ages, and a zoo and conservation centre.
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Flamingo Land homes various animals, including Tigers, Penguins, Lemurs, Meerkats, Giraffes, Sea Lions, and Birds. Additionally, the zoo is also home to various other mammals and reptiles.
You can get up close and personal with some of the animals. These interactive sessions last 20 to 30 minutes, starting from just £30. Please note that the minimum age requirement for these sessions is eight years.
Learn more and book your tickets.
Sea Life Scarborough
- A 30-minute drive from Whitby.
- Quiet at the Aquarium sessions.
- Animal experiences.
- Seal Hospital.
There are so many different sea creatures to learn about and witness at Sea Life Scarborough. We were particularly impressed with the Sea Dragons! And the Seal Hospital where you can witness the incredible journey of injured Seals rescued from local coastal waters, rehabilitated, and eventually released back into the wild. They take great pride in providing a safe and nurturing environment. By visiting here, you are supporting the incredible work they do.
Sea Life Scarborough hosts Quiet at the Aquarium sessions on the first Sunday of every month. During the first hour of opening, the centre provides a peaceful environment for individuals with Autism and other neurodiverse conditions to explore the sea creatures without any noise or sensory distractions. The centre ensures a tranquil experience by keeping music, hand driers, and televisions off until 11 am.
Treat yourself or your loved ones to a VIP experience. You can enjoy a unique morning with resident seals, explore the mysteries of the deep sea with Sharks after Dark, or be a Marine Biologist for a day and learn about the incredible creatures at the centre.
Read our review of Sea Life Scarborough.
Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park
- A 50-minute drive from Whitby.
- Animal feeding.
- Woodland trail, sensory garden, secret garden and more.
Discover the beauty of nature and exotic wildlife at the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park. This family-run attraction has been open since 2008 with its unique blend of animals, gardens, and exotic birds. The park's collection of exotic animals has been expanding every year since being granted a zoo license in 2017.
You don't want to miss the daily meerkat feeding times and various keeper talks and animal encounters during peak season. Plus, the 5-acre park is beautifully maintained and well laid out, surrounded by Yorkshire countryside.
Whether you're looking for a fun-filled day out with the family or a peaceful afternoon in nature, visitors of all ages will find it fun, relaxing, and educational.
Bridlington Animal Park
- 1 hour drive from Whitby.
- Animal experiences.
- Educational visits and keeper academy for schools.
When you visit Bridlington Animal Park, you'll discover a diverse range of animals across 21 acres of natural habitat. As you explore the park, be prepared to journey through different habitat zones, from the parkland to the stunning woodland area, and experience the changing seasons alongside animals. You can get up close and personal with some residents by holding a Snake, Lizard, or even an Owl!
It's important to note that many of the animals are endangered. As a registered zoo, they take their mission to help preserve global wildlife heritage and protect animals from extinction very seriously.
The park also offers exciting experiences like Meet the Meerkats and Owl Experiences. They also offer great rates for schools and groups, and the park provides a program for schools that aligns with the National Curriculum.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
National Centre for Birds of Prey
- 1 hour drive from Whitby.
- Birds of prey experiences.
- Photography experiences
Are you interested in seeing some fantastic birds up close? If so, you should visit the National Centre for Birds of Prey. Get ready to witness birds take flight in spectacular displays right above you.
Explore over 40 specially designed aviaries and see the birds in their natural habitats. You'll get to meet a variety of birds of prey, from Hawks and Eagles to adorable Owls. This is an experience that you won't forget anytime soon.
The Centre hosts Photography Days, with a vast collection of Raptors in close range for photography, including a flying team of birds in the Hawk Walk. The demonstrations offer a close encounter with birds flying overhead, and it's an excellent opportunity to try flight photography.
Learn more about the National Centre for Birds of Prey here.
Playdale Farm Park
- 50-minute drive from Whitby.
- A lovely learning experience for younger children.
- Get hands-on with farm animals, feeding and handling.
At Playdale Farm Park, you'll get to experience a variety of animals up close and personal. You can hand-feed big animals such as Goats, Sheep, Llamas, Alpacas, Pigs, Ponies, and Donkeys. The small animal barn is home to furry friends such as Rabbits, Degus, Chinchillas, Tortoises, Turkeys, and small Birds.
You can walk around the paddocks and meet other animals, including the Emus. Take advantage of the hatchery, where you can see incubating eggs, newly hatched chicks, and the growing stages of poultry.
Animals are born at Playdale Farm Park every season. Spring is the perfect time to see the lambs, and the piglets are due at the end of May. Goat kids will arrive in June and July. You can also attend daily Guinea Pig and chick handling sessions in the morning and afternoon.
There is also a huge indoor play area, which includes a soft play area, tractor zone, adventure trail and much more!
Learn more about Playdale Farm Park here.
Piglets Adventure Farm
- 1 hour drive from Whitby.
- Maize maze and lots of activities.
- Animal feeding and experiences.
Piglets Adventure Farm is just 15 minutes from the centre of York and around a 50 minute drive from Whitby. At Piglets Adventure Farm, there are lots of areas to explore, and it’s all close together so that you can do everything without much walking. This is great if you visit on a rainy Autumn day; it’s also great for toddlers.
They have an inside area where getting close to the animals is really easy. Although the farm isn’t huge, the small details made Piglets great for us, such as there being windows in the pigsty so toddlers can see at their level. There were also steps or low barriers for them to look into the animal’s homes.
They host loads of fantastic events from Easter trails to Pumpkin picking.
Read our review of Piglets Adventure Farm here.
Visiting zoos, animal parks, and farms near Whitby can be a fun and educational experience for people of all ages! They also allow us to learn about different animals and their habitats. It is essential to choose places that prioritise animal welfare and conservation efforts and be respectful of the animals during our visits. Let us know your favourite in the comments; we love to hear about your experiences!
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