What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Exmoor Zoo

Exmoor zoo only exists for the animals. Exmoor Zoo began back in 1993 with 2 staff and 10,000 visitors and has consistently grown every year since.
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The development of the zoo over time and the commitment of staff and volunteers has meant the zoo has progressed from a small farm holding of 2 Devon fields in 1982 to one of North Devon's major attractions Trees and shrubs growing today were planted back in 1994 and 95, using the central naturally fed spring lake as a focal point. Today 45,000+ people visit annually, enjoying the friendly relaxed

and natural atmosphere of the zoo. Over 14 staff, a curator and education team all endeavour to instil the importance of looking after the environment and respect for the habitat of native and exotic animals. This is obvious as you explore the zoo as there are now over 35 breeding programs to maintain the captive population of endangered species! This breeding and encouraging respect for the animals is now a very important part of the work.

18/04/2024

We don't think there is a stranger animal than the Binturong at the zoo...

From our zoo animals which animal do you think is the weirdest we have here?

Remember we are open 10-5pm last admission 4pm.

17/04/2024

One of the smallest but cutest of the mongoose family, the aptly named Dwarf mongoose have some of the most fun names for their groups compared to their cousins the meerkats...

A troop, committee, delegation, mongeese or a mongaggle- we like the last one the most.

Why not come up and see if you can spot out Dwarf Mongaggles this Easter break? We're open 10-5pm last admission is 4pm😇

16/04/2024

🎉🦉🐍🎂🥳Birthday Parties at Exmoor Zoo🥳🎂🦉🐍🎉

Want a wild party?
Why not come to the zoo then?
Entry all day included and a choice of hot or cold party food, unlimited squash and the possibility of upgrading your party to a Deluxe so you can have your OWN private handling session!

*min party numbers 6

For more information please either email: [email protected] or ring: 01598763352 and press 1.

15/04/2024

Way back in February 2023 we were happy to have four in a bed film here and at last it is being shown on C4

Finally, we can reveal with glee that we took part in Channel 4’s ‘Four In A Bed’ and our episodes will be aired from the 29th April at 6pm (on every evening for 5 nights).

Filmed way back in February 2023, we had a blast filming Four In A Bed and met some wonderful people, both our fellow contestants and the amazing crew. It was great fun!

We hope you are able to watch and enjoy the show! So get those boxes set to record, or catch up on More4.

Yours excitedly, Lewis & James x

PS - share this as much as possible please!

www.theearlsdale.co.uk

Visit Ilfracombe Visit Devon Visit Exmoor Bed and Breakfast Directory LoveIlfracombe Exmoor Zoo

15/04/2024

Spot the difference…..🤣

We have brand new Capybara teddys in the gift shop and they are some of the best we’ve seen😱

14/04/2024

🐆Have you seen our new Cheetah conservation signs?🐆
💚Cheetahs are quite special to us at the zoo, they were the first species of cat that arrived at the zoo nearly some 20 years ago😱

We’ve been lucky enough to work along side three sets through the years.
Dave and Nina a brother sister pair.
Then Amber and Kasi who joined Dave in his retirement years.
And then when Amber and Kasi were called up for the breeding program, so Milele, Lakini and mum Naki came from Sweden in a swap.
Now though it is just Milele our dark female and her sister Lakini both girls have now turned 9.

Have you been along to the cheetah feed and talk? We might be a bit biased, but we love their talk🥰

13/04/2024

Breakfast is served...🥗

Our Roul Rouls are some of the cutest but slightly cheeky birds we have at the zoo... Standing in not just their food but the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, thankfully they all get a long find dispite their wierd table manners...

12/04/2024

We do love the outtake photos we get at the zoo. But who pulls it off the best?
Bert the Sand Cat
Viko our Bat Eared Fox
Last years youngest male Caracal
Flea our Grey Wolf
Or our Great Grey Owl?

Why not comment below or even show us your favourite from the zoo who's been caught in a 'outtake'?

11/04/2024

🍫Are the kids full of lots of chocolate and parents are you pulling this face with all the Easter Eggs they've been given? 😳

Why not bring them to the zoo?
We have 10 animal feed and talks 2 handling sessions all included in your entry, an outdoor playground...(near the café for the grown ups) Plus come see 'Abou' our Shoebill stork, she not really that grumpy!

We're open everyday 10-5pm, last admission 4pm😇

⭐️

10/04/2024

We have had a last minute cancellation on one of our experiences this Friday 12th April. If anyone is wanting either a Junior Keeper for a day, a Walk on the wild side, Carnivore experience thn please give us a call 01598 763352 press 1 and ask for Vera or Lynn.

SOLD

09/04/2024

🎉🎁🎂 Exmoor zoo turns 31🎉🎁🎂

Who would have thought 31 years ago the bird gardens would become Exmoor Zoological and Conservation Centre?

From 4 staff in 1993 to over 30 staff today, we’ve changed a lot over the years. The biggest changes for us have been becoming a Charity and our newest development on the lake along with walk through!

What memories do you have of the zoo from years gone by?

We’ll start you of…. Who remembers the Podge the Penguin who used to wonder around and frequently visited the men’s toilets?

08/04/2024

Grey wolves are the largest of all wild canids an can weigh up to 80kgs!
Their paw prints are 4 inches in breadth (that's larger than the average human hand) and can be 5 inches long!

They also have a cruising speed of 5mph but sprinting speed over short distance they can top out at 40mph.

Why not come up this Easter and find out more about this Keystone species and the effects they can have on rivers?

07/04/2024

Evening everybody, can we ask if you haven’t voted for us in the muddy stiletos awards could you please vote for us?
We are trailing behind at the moment with 25% of the vote compared to the Box theatre in Plymouth with 37% of the vote for the best family attraction in our region.
Thank you everyone for your support 🙂

The Muddy Stilettos Awards are the most coveted awards for independent lifestyle businesses across 28 counties, and totally FREE to enter!

07/04/2024

🦎🐢Do you have a Reptile enthusiast in the making?🐍
Why not look at our Reptile Experience, an hour with our reptile keeper they'll learn all about the different types of Snakes, Lizards and Tortoises at the zoo. You may even get to prepare some foods and end it with giving the Tortoises a manicure..... their favourite colour is green 😜

For more information please call on: 01598763352 and press 1 or email: [email protected]

06/04/2024

Wake up and shake up, its still the Easter holidays!

Why not come up to the zoo and see if you can spot all our Bat Eared Foxes? The pups are nearly as big as mum and dad now, you might not even be able to tell the difference...

05/04/2024

Evening everyone, can we please ask if you haven’t voted for us in the muddy stiletos awards can you do so, we are trailng behind at the moment and would love to win this award for the region.

Best family attraction

https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Many thanks in anticipation 🙂

The Muddy Stilettos Awards are the most coveted awards for independent lifestyle businesses across 28 counties, and totally FREE to enter!

05/04/2024

When your sibling gets the nicer Easter egg.....

Why not come up and see our troop of Ring Tailed Lemurs?
They have their own feed and talk at 10:30am if you want to know why king Julian wouldn't have been ruler....?

04/04/2024

We currently have an opening for a bird keeper at Exmoor zoo.

If you are interested please email a CV and covering letter to D.Reynolds our director: [email protected]

Please note a driving license is essential due to location- if you are interested please click on the link for more information.

https://www.exmoorzoo.co.uk/vacancies

03/04/2024

WOW we are in the Regional Finals of Devon’s Muddy Stilettos Awards 2024. Please help us to move on in this category. If you could vote for us here we would be very grateful
https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Many thanks in anticipation :)

The Muddy Stilettos Awards are the most coveted awards for independent lifestyle businesses across 28 counties, and totally FREE to enter!

03/04/2024

🧡Don't hide away this Easter, why not come up and enjoy a day at the zoo💙

🐣We'll have our Easter trail running alongside our 10 animal feed and talks and 2 handling sessions.
There's plenty to do and what's more its all included in your admissions ticket😱

02/04/2024

🌺🌷🌼🐣 Spring is finally here, the flowers are out before the trees are even green🌺🌷🌼🐣

Did you know we have 10 animal feed and talks? Plus 2 handling sessions at the zoo? And they are all included in your admission tickets?

ANNNND.. our Easter Trail is up and running, any kids will get a free quiz to do around the zoo and upon completion will recieve a small gift.

01/04/2024

Something EGG-cellent happened last night.
Our Crocodiles who made a nest a few weeks ago laid some eggs for us. This got us all very EGG-cited as we believed them both to be boys, but to our delight they have indeed hatched.
Although this species often lays large clutches only four eggs were laid. The hatchlings are normally camouflage colours, so we believe this is a world first in a colour morph for any species of crocodilian. The brightly coloured Croc’s are doing well, although not too interested in the food just of yet, as we believe they are worn out from hatching.
Our senior keeper Ryan is ready to step up and help the Dwarf Caiman’s if things don’t quite fit right. We are hoping the sole care will be from the parent crocs, but we will have to wait and see if they can toe-tally nail it in the parenting department.

31/03/2024

🐣We've got some EGG-citing news coming tomorrow. Check out our post in the morning😇

30/03/2024

🐣Easter must be here as the commercial team have been busy getting all the stock out ready for everyone🐣

We’ve got you sorted for those elusive Capybara teddys, we have a new super soft Exmoor Beast teddy and of course all our other goodies like notepads, reusable drinks bottles and some super special snare arts made in Africa in the gift shop.

29/03/2024

Harry our carpenter has been busy over the winter period building our new gift shop shelves, then the lovely café team got busy with the varnish!

Its not quite finished yet, but we're loving the new look in the gift shop!

27/03/2024

Easter is coming!

What are your plans? When you visit the zoo all our talks and activities are included in your entry, you can choose from any of the 12 different talks happening throughout the day. Or you could go to them all?

PLUS... We'll be running our Easter egg trail again FOC for the kids and upon completion there is a small treat for them!

26/03/2024

Sam had a very important question to ask Alice today, after arranging to meet her favourite animal Bert the Sand Cat with us….

So we got her to sit next to Bert (who stuck around for a few photos) and then Sam asked her to marry him!
🎉🎉🎉🎉And she said Yes🎉🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations from everyone at the zoo😇

25/03/2024

😜Our 4th and final week of March Madness Special Offers from the 23rd to the 28th of March 2024😜
Any season ticket holders can bring a FRIEND FOR FREE🥳

For Example: One season ticket holder equals one free, so if you are a family of 4 and each have a pass you can all bring a friend for free.

T&C's: Season ticket passes must be brought along for verification to use this offer. Just turn up within the dates specified above and use your pass to gain this offer. And like with all our other special offers we have run, this one cannot be used with any other offer, voucher, discount or with Tesco vouchers.

24/03/2024

If you wondered what we do with some of the requests we put on Amazon, here is an exmaple, an enrichment feeding toy built for the tapirs. Thank you to all who donate to us on the amazon wish list it is very much appreciated. Chains, feeder balls and tapir scratching brush
If you would like to donate to the Exmoor zoological and Conservation centre charity here is the link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1CFDIL273X725/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

24/03/2024

🌼🌺🌷Spring may be here but that doesn’t mean everyone is thrilled about it…..🌼🌺🌷

Abou’s big feet managed to squish at least 3 daffodils when she came over to say hi!

🌼

Address

Exmoor Zoo, Bratton Fleming
Barnstaple
EX314SG

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441598763352

Website

https://www.exmoorzoo.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Exmoor Zoo posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Breakfast is served...🥗 Our Roul Rouls are some of the cutest but slightly cheeky birds we have at the zoo... Standing in not just their food but the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, thankfully they all get a long find dispite their wierd table manners... #roulroul #birdsarecool #sundaybrunch

🌼🌺🌷Spring may be here but that doesn’t mean everyone is thrilled about it…..🌼🌺🌷 Abou’s big feet managed to squish at least 3 daffodils when she came over to say hi! #shoebill #easter #daffodils #daffodils🌼 #shoebillstork #bigfeet #prehistoricbird #bigbeak #easter #easter2024 #familyfun #familydayout

❄️Look what’s happening right now😱1/3/24❄️ You look out the window one moment and it’s clear then there’s a layer of snow everywhere! We’ll keep you posted if the zoo has any announcements in the morning #snow #snowing

🔊Another volume up film!🔊 You can hear the lovely British birdies singing but amongst them is our Lar Gibbon family having a sing!🎤 Gibbons sing for a number of reasons, to defend their territory, duetting to establish their bonds and most recently to encourage their young to join in.🎶 Have you seen our family of now 4? 🐒 #gibbon #largibbon #hylobateslar #babyanimals #babyprimate #duet #singoff #vocalisation #bonding

🐺It’s pretty rare we hear our grey wolves howling, we hear all the other vocalisations from them but their howling is pretty eerie especially at night…🐺 🔊 So turn up the volume and listen in 🔊 #howlingwolf #howlingatthemoon #greywolf #wolf #wolvesofinstagram #devon #northdevon

😊Our Dingos do put a smile on our faces, do they make you smile too?😊 You can always come up to the zoo and see Stella and Boots for yourselves. Or you could book your very own Dingo Experience where you’ll get to meet them one on one, feed them or provide enrichment for them dependant on the time of day your experience is and of course learn all about them😇 https://www.exmoorzoo.co.uk/experiences/book #dingo #dingoofinstagram #sundaymotivation #smileonyourface😊

👀When your cleaning an enclosure and you can feel eyes on you…👀 Princessa was eager to help ‘clean’ up😂 #cloudedleopard #cleaningwindows #cats #catsofinstagram #cloudedleopardsofinstagram

We’re making Sunday a funday rather than finding another animal beginning with an S, we know we could have had Sand Cat, Shoebill, Scarlet Ibis… to name a few. But after we showed you our little Margay Kitten, we thought you might like to see her in action using her tiny agility to climb a vertical post🥹 #cutenessoverload #cutebabyanimals #cutecats #kitten #cats #catsofinstagram #babyanimals #sundayfunday

Well we’re cheating with this one… Caturday😇 🎉😇Did you know we had a baby Margay born😇🎉 This little Kitten is the first Margay born at Exmoor Zoo and as you can see is a bundle of fun and incredible cuteness. Margay in the wilds of Central and South America are found mainly in the forested habitats and spend most of their lives in the tree canopies, which makes them an arboreal species. They have spectacular agility and with joints in their ankles that can rotate 180 degrees, which means they can climb/run down trees at great speeds, something very few cats can actually do or even have. Why not come up and see our little Margay she is too cute for words! #margay #cutenessoverload #babyalert #babyanimal #margaykitten #cat #catsofinstagram #caturday

🐺 Wolf Wednesday 🐺 Here’s a throwback to just after summer, the Grey Wolves had a wigwam built and as you can see they were wary of it to start of with. Food was hidden around to encourage them to the bigger bits and of course some yummy smells were added too. They thoroughly enjoyed the smells and food, but always wait until the keeper is out of sight with their camera to properly enjoy it. Who knew Flea and Hendrix were so film shy😱 You can always learn more about our boys at their feed and talk, the zoo is open 10-4pm😇 #wolfwednesday #woofwoofwednesday #wolf #greywolf #openallyear #familytime #familyfun #northdevon #devon

Meerkat Mondays! Let’s see if we can find an animal at the zoo for everyday of the week! Here is Rascal our hand reared Meerkat. From time to time he helps out at the animal handling sessions and the last one he came out for back before Christmas in the afternoon session, it was just him and his human, never fear they did enjoy the quality time together snuggling and having tickles- the meerkat we mean💚 #meerkatmonday #meerkat #meerkatsofinstagram #openallyear #devonfamilydaysout #northdevon

The out take of this years Christmas marketing photos…🎥 The Dingos were the last of the animals to have their photos taken and literally within seconds of going down they found them fun to unwrap just like kids on christmas! The boxes were filled with varying scents but as the Dingos got the last play they just wanted to open all the presents🎁

🎃🦇Time warp Tuesday to when Bagheera got her first pumpkin curtesy of zoo keeper Tina’s kids, she had played with it a fair bit so the bat on the carving ended up part of the tree🦇🎃 #pumpkin #smellycats #blackleopard #catsofinstagram #bigcatsofinstagram #bigcats #zookeeperkids #timewarptuesday

🎄🎁 The winner of the LAST Christmas Tree Advent Calendar for the 24th is ⭐️Nicola Rowe⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE… were taking a couple of days off now but we’ll be open again on the 27/12/23 #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

🎄🎁 The winner of the 23rd Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is⭐️ Claire-Marie Rush⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo *Please note that the Dingo Exp is for 11 yrs+ tapirs or lemurs 8yrs+*

🎄🎁 The winner of the 22nd Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is ⭐️ Sadie Coombes⭐️ 🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

🎄🎁 The winner of the 21st Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is ⭐️Lorraine Knight-Davies⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize 😳Sorry for the technical issues tonight😳 Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

🎄🎁 The winner of the 20th Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is ⭐️Julie Walker ⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

🎄🎁 The winner of the 19th Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is ⭐️ Lizzy Mitchell⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

🎄🎁 The winner of the 18th Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is ⭐️ Rachel Bignell⭐️🎄🎁 Please can you message us we can organise collection of your prize Don’t forget to check back in the morning for the next Gift Giveaway #chrisrtmas #christmastree #christmascompetition #exmoorzoo

Shortcuts

Our Story

Exhibits such as cheetah, puma, maned wolves, sitatunga and the famous "Exmoor Beast" can be seen amongst the unique and rare smaller animals for which the zoo provides"natural" enclosures. See and feel part of the wildlife from our carefully planted shrubs and trees as they have matured along the winding zoo paths keep you wondering what is next, providing a very relaxing and natural atmosphere for all! Exmoor Zoo is different, neither a wildlife park or a city zoo, but a more friendly and contact orientated zoo which has grown into the North Devon countryside and become one of Devon's top attractions and south west finalist for small attraction of the year. At the zoo you get to meet some of the animals, join in the handling sessions, touch a snake, hold a spider, feed a wallaby and learn about the animals during talks and feed times.