It’s been named among the best day trip destinations for animal lovers
The penguins are especially popular(Image: Sophie Harris)
A Cotswolds attraction has been named the best of its kind in England – and it’s not the most obvious choice. According to consumer brand Which?, the country’s best wildlife park is Cotswold Wildlife Park.
The zoo in Burford, Oxfordshire, is within easy reach for many people in Gloucestershire and is no stranger to awards – despite sometimes being overlooked in favour of big names like Longleat or West Midlands Safari Park.
One recent GloucestershireLive reviewer noted the park “never appeared overcrowded or hurried” despite its “outstanding value” entry price from £17.50 for adults or £12.50 for children.
The Express reports that the park, which boasts more than 1,500 animals of more than 250 different species, was ranked top in its category of a new Which? list of around 50 wildlife venues.
These include safari parks, zoos, aquariums and farms across the country, which were assessed based on its “survey of thousands of people to find the best days out for animal lovers”.
Cotswold Wildlife Park spans some 160 acres of parkland and houses everything from rhinos and giraffes, to lions and penguins – and it’s even got one of the biggest collections of reptiles in the whole of the UK.
It’s also known for its expansive breeding programmes, through which it welcomes hundreds of new animals every year. Some of the more unusual species highlighted on its website include naked mole rats, Brazilian tapirs and capybara.
Markus the extremely rare white rhino calf at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
A spokesperson for Which? said: “Somewhere in between a zoo and a safari park (it describes itself as a ‘walking safari’), Cotswold Wildlife Park brings spectacular species such as giraffes and lions to rural Oxfordshire, within a few minutes drive of the area’s famous Cotswold stone villages.
“It gets the full five stars for its wildlife experience and for the friendly customer service, as well as four out of five stars for attractiveness. ‘The animals all look healthy, well-cared for and happy,’ was one comment. The park is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and has its own wildlife conservation charity.”
On Google, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens has a 4.7 star rating out of five. One reviewer who visited two months ago wrote: “A fantastic day out for all. It has lots to see and it’s very informative.
“From the smallest insect to one of the largest mammals! All in one park and it’s nicely spaced out. Decent food and plenty of toilets around the park. Would highly recommend.”
Anthony the anteater on his mother Zeta’s back at Cotswold Wildlife Park(Image: Philip Joyce / Cotswold Wildlife Park)
A second wrote: “Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a really lovely place to visit. The park is very well kept and the animal enclosures are spacious, giving everything a relaxed, open feel.
“Facilities are excellent. Toilets are clean, paths are well maintained, and it is easy to spend a full day there comfortably. It is also genuinely dog friendly, which is a big plus.”
Which? asked more than 2,000 people to rate wildlife attractions, including the likes Longleat, London Zoo and Sea Life Centres.
And it was full of huge praise for another destination in the South West, too, with the Cornwall Seal Sanctuary beating Cotswolds Wildlife Park by two per cent to take the top spot in the overall category of best wildlife attraction.