Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

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Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens With over 260 different animal species in 160 acres of parkland and gardens, with train (Apr-Oct), adventure playground, cafe and gift shop.
(27301)

Please see our website for opening times: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk.

25/01/2025

A hat-trick of birthdays!

We're celebrating a few birthdays this week at the Park. Our oldest Capybara Belle enjoyed a birthday cake for her 11th birthday. Belle shares her home with another rodent species from South America - Patagonian Mara. Capybaras are the largest rodent species in the world.

Century, the Park's oldest Giraffe at 19, was also treated to a birthday cake which he immediately came over to investigate. As you can see, the cake didn't last long!

Last but not least, Mammal Keeper Issy also celebrated her birthday too and was treated to a cake from the keepers. Happy birthday to Century, Belle and Issy from all of us at the Park.

Thanks to Jenni, Deputy Section Head of Large Mammals, for making Belle's cake and Mammal Keeper Charlotte for creating Century's cake (which was made from sugar beet, carrot and cabbage). Both Belle and Century loved them!

Please see our pinned message for the latest visitor information. Please note: The Adventure Playground 'Skymaze' will be closed this weekend for maintenance work.

23/01/2025

** Latest visitor information if visiting the Park this weekend (25 - 26 January 2025) **

Following recent rainfall, we are limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being. Advance E-tickets are available via the Park's website (subject to availability): https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk. Thank you for your support and understanding. Please note: The Adventure Playground 'Skymaze' will be closed this weekend for maintenance work.

STORM ÉOWYN WEATHER WARNING: As the Met Office has issued a weather alert for strong winds this weekend, please ensure that you check our website or social media ahead of visiting the Park. Depending on weather conditions, we MAY have to close at short notice.

Winter opening hours: May we remind you that Cotswold Wildlife Park will remain CLOSED on WEEKDAYS ONLY until 6 February 2025 (re-opening on Friday 7 February 2025); EXCEPT FOR WEEKENDS when the Park will be OPEN from 10am - 4pm or dusk (last admission 3pm) - thank you.

20/01/2025

"One can’t be angry when one looks at a Penguin” - John Ruskin (Victorian art critic and connoisseur).

As it's Penguin Awareness Day, we wanted to share this great action shot, taken by Kevin Clarke from Oxford, of one of our Humboldt Penguins shaking the water out of its feathers after a swim in the pool.

Penguin Awareness Day takes place on January 20th every year. This day is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about one of the world’s most beloved bird species – Penguins. Cotswold Wildlife Park has proudly supported Penguin Conservation in the Falkland Islands for over thirty years. Thanks to the generosity of visitors, so far over £30,000 has been raised for the charity. To find out more about their conservation work, please follow .

Feel free to share your photos of our Penguins in the comments below too - we'd love to see them.

Happy Penguin Awareness Day from all of us at the Park.

• Humboldt Penguins ‘fly’ through the water at speeds of up to 25mph.

• Humboldt Penguins live along the South American coastline of Peru and Chile. In the wild, these boisterous birds nest in the driest desert on earth - the Atacama.

• They are classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• This species was originally named after the cold water current it swims in, which itself is named after Alexander von Humboldt – Prussian geographer, naturist and explorer.

** Please see our pinned message for the latest visitor information - many thanks **

11/01/2025

Thanks to Mammal Keeper Charlotte for this wonderfully atmospheric photo she took of our Rhinos in a rather frosty and foggy Rhino paddock yesterday.

Visitor update Sunday 12 January 2025: Cotswold Wildlife Park is open today (with last admission at 3:00 pm). Please take care when walking around the Park and please dress appropriately for the conditions.

We are currently limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being. Always ensure you always check our website or social media for the latest visitor information ahead of your visit. We may have to close at short notice depending on weather conditions - many thanks.

All the animals have heated houses where needed and our keepers are doing a brilliant job braving the cold to look after the animals at the Park.

10/01/2025

Another incredibly chilly day at the Park. With temperatures dropping below zero again last night, there's a lot of frost covering the Park (as you can see in the photos). Parts of the Waterfowl lake were frozen today and one particularly agile Barnacle Goose treated us to a bit of ice skating before returning safely into the water! Meanwhile in our heated Tropical House, our female Sloth Flash was blissfully unaware of the outdoor temperatures and was basking in the sunshine coming in through the glass.

Thanks as always to our incredible keepers hard at work looking after the animals in their care. All the animals have heated houses where needed and our keepers are doing a brilliant job braving the cold to look after the animals at the Park.

** VISITOR UPDATE - WATERLOGGED CAR PARK ** Saturday 11 January 2025: Please note that our winter opening times are in place: We are closed weekdays but open on weekends (please see pinned message). We are currently limiting entry as much of our grass car park is still waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being. Advance E-tickets are available via the Park's website (subject to availability): https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk - thank you for your support and understanding.

With more freezing weather forecast over Oxfordshire this weekend, always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

07/01/2025

Dashing through the snow...

Head Keeper Mark managed to film Rhinos Molly and Queenie this morning running around in the Rhino paddock. Molly is the one galloping over first. Queenie was taking things at a more leisurely pace! Thanks for the great video Mark. We hope you enjoy watching it.

**Please may we remind you that as of today, Tuesday 7 January 2025, our winter opening times have changed. Please see our pinned message for more information - thank you. **

05/01/2025

Footprints in the snow…

Thanks to keepers Charlotte, Laura and Lucy for braving the cold and taking these photos at the Park this morning. Mammal Keeper Charlotte took these great photos of Emu and Wallaby footprints in the snow (photos 1 & 2) and Primate, Small Mammal and Bird Keepers Laura and Lucy shared photos taken inside the Walled Garden earlier today of the rather snowy Penguin enclosure.

Please see our previous message if visiting the Park today, Sunday 5 January 2025 (and please dress appropriately for the weather conditions) - many thanks.

05/01/2025

Visitor update Sunday 5 January 2025: Cotswold Wildlife Park will be OPEN today from 10.00 am (with last admission at 3:00 pm). Following last night's snowfall, which is now beginning to melt, please take care when walking around the Park and please dress appropriately for the conditions.

We are currently limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being (more information on our pinned message). Always ensure you always check our website or social media for the latest visitor information ahead of your visit. We may have to close at short notice depending on conditions - many thanks.

Current view from our Penguin we**am at 9am. You can watch our we**ams live here: https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/animals-gardens/web-cams/

04/01/2025

As temperatures drop below zero this week, Cotswold Wildlife Park has turned into a winter wonderland. We hope you enjoy these photos/videos taken around the Park. They include our incredible keepers hard at work looking after the animals in their care, as well as our Rhinos calves Henry and Susie playing in the winter sunshine. Our Winter Garden is living up to its name with the first snowdrops of the season beginning to appear. We'd also like to mention an adorable four-legged visitor who visited us this week - a beautifully behaved rescue dog called Poppy (pictured in her Christmas jumper). She was rescued from Birmingham Dogs Home in the freezing winter of 2021. Her owners said how much she enjoys coming to the Park. We loved meeting Poppy and look forward to seeing her again soon.

Jamie Craig, Curator of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, added: “All the animals have heated houses where needed and are currently unaware of the outside temperatures. It's certainly not the weather for our tropical species but for a few, most notable the Reindeer, Wolverines, Red Pandas and Pallas Cats, it is a favourite time of year and they are revelling in the arctic conditions."

Thanks to our committed keepers braving the cold to look after the animals at the Park.

** VISITOR UPDATE ** Saturday 4 January 2025: With an amber weather warning in place for Oxfordshire this weekend, please always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

02/01/2025

** Please may we remind you that as of Tuesday 7 January 2025, our winter opening times change. Cotswold Wildlife Park will remain CLOSED on WEEKDAYS ONLY from 7 January until 6 February (re-opening on Friday 7 February 2025); EXCEPT FOR WEEKENDS when the Park will be OPEN from 10.00 am until 4:00 pm or dusk (whichever is earlier, with last admission being at 3:00 pm). This is to allow for essential maintenance to be carried out. Thank you. **

Following recent rainfall, we are limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being. Advance E-tickets are available via the Park's website (subject to availability): https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk - thank you for your support and understanding. **

01/01/2025

VISITOR UPDATE - 6/1/2025: Following recent rainfall, we are limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being. Advance E-tickets are available via the Park's website (subject to availability): https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and if there are any changes, we will keep you updated via the Park's website and social media. Please check ahead of your visit. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please note: If you have booked an Animal Encounter, Keeper For A Day or Junior Keeper Experience, these will go ahead unless we contact you.

Photo of Chinese Crocodile Lizard taken by Calum O'Flaherty. Fact: Cotswold Wildlife Park became the first zoological collection in the UK to successfully breed this species in 2017.

• The Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) is a habitat specialist found only in severely fragmented areas of southern China and in very small numbers in northern Vietnam.
• The species is viviparous (it gives birth to live young) and has a gestation period of approximately nine months.
• In a recent study, this species was described as “the living fossil now on the brink of extinction".

This species is on show inside the Park's Reptile House.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from Cotswold Wildlife Park.

We are open as usual today and look forward to welcoming you to the Park.

Additional visitor information: Cotswold Wildlife Park is currently open from 10.00am every day, with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/pla.../opening-times/ for more information). Check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

Photo of one of our Ostriches taken by Rebecca Louise.

20/12/2024

As the year draws to a close, we'd like to share these beautiful photos taken by photographer Rebecca Louise on a very cold but sunny winter's day at the Park. They include our Rhinos, Red Pandas, Otters (playing with tiny stones in their enclosure) and Wolverines. For our Wolverines, it is a favourite time of year - they revel in arctic conditions. In the wild, they survive in some of the coldest places on earth. Fact: The Park made history in 2012 as the first collection in the UK to successfully breed Wolverines (Gulo gulo) in captivity.

Additional Visitor Information: Cotswold Wildlife Park is currently open from 10.00am every day (except Christmas Day), with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/ for more information). Check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

11/12/2024

Christmas comes early for 101-year-old Winn as her wish comes true to meet the Giraffes at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Recently we welcomed Winn from Premium Care Group's local Care Home Churchfields to the Park for a secret surprise! As Winn adores animals, her 101st birthday wish came true when she met the Giraffes at Cotswold Wildlife Park. She clearly has a natural affinity with animals as all the Giraffes came straight over to greet her. One Giraffe in particular, Century (the Park's oldest Giraffe at 18), took a real shine to Winn and the pair were inseparable. Afterwards, Winn was treated to a behind-the-scenes Rhino Encounter where she met the Park's crash of White Rhinos, including one of last year's calves named Susie who also took an instant liking to Winn. Cozette from the Cassington-based Care Home said: "Winn loved her visit so much, she wants to keep going back!".

We would be delighted to welcome Winn back anytime! Both encounters took place under the supervision of Mammal Keeper Liam and Head Keeper Mark. Thanks to them both for making Winn's birthday and Christmas wish come true.

Our great thanks to Paul Nicholls Photography for his wonderful photos of Winn with the Giraffes.

Additional Visitor Information: Cotswold Wildlife Park is currently open from 10.00am every day (except Christmas Day), with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (please see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/ for more information). Please always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

03/12/2024

Cotswold Wildlife Park named 'Best Family Attraction in the Cotswolds'.

We have just found out that Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens has been crowned the 'Best Family Attraction in the Cotswolds' in The Cotswolds Awards 2024. These awards are 100% driven by public nominations and votes and we are absolutely thrilled with the news.

Reggie Heyworth, Managing Director of Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: “What a brilliant way to end the year, receiving the accolade of ‘Best Family Attraction in the Cotswolds’ from all those who voted for us in The Cotswolds Awards. It's been really busy this year, with lots of wonderful births and record numbers of visitors. We have had great feedback about how people love being in nature, seeing the animals and enjoying the lovely gardens here and it really is a terrific boost to all of us to have all this confirmed with this award. Knowing that it is actually voted for by the public makes all the difference. It also makes this place so much fun to work in and to be a part of, so a huge thank-you from all the staff who work here to everyone who took the trouble to show their appreciation for us by voting for us.”

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for us - it's a real honour. Congratulations to all the other winners in these awards too.

Additional Visitor Information: We are currently open from 10.00am every day (except Christmas Day), with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (please see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/pla.../opening-times/ for more information). Please always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

02/12/2024

Sloth spotting.

Visitors to the Park's Tropical House this week were treated to not one, but two sightings of our rather elusive pair of Linne's Two Toed Sloths - male Tambopata and female Flash. Both made a rare appearance climbing through the canopy of the Tropical House. Here's Flash moving at typical Sloth pace to find the perfect spot for a siesta in the winter sunshine.

Why are Sloths so slow?
• Being slow is an incredibly successful strategy for survival. In fact, being slow has helped Sloths to survive on this planet for almost 64 million years.
• Sloths feed mostly on leaves with notably low calorific content and in order to survive on such a limited diet, they have one of the lowest metabolic rates amongst mammals.
• It is also likely that Sloths move at a pace that simply goes unnoticed in order to avoid being identified as prey in the wild.

Fact: These extraordinary animals come from the jungle canopy of South America and their upside-down lifestyle is reflected in the reversal of some of their internal organs. Sloths do most things upside down: eating, sleeping, mating and giving birth. Once a week, they will climb down from their tree to go to the toilet. Both our Sloths live in the Tropical House inside the Walled Garden and share their home with a wide range of stunning Tropical Birds, Rodrigues Fruit Bats and Potoroos.

Additional Visitor Information: Cotswold Wildlife Park is currently open from 10.00am every day (except Christmas Day), with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (please see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/ for more information). Please always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

30/11/2024

Great to be featured in the second issue of in their “What you should know about Burford” article. Thanks to the Mayor of Burford for recommending the Park - “a massive area with , , , - a really good day out.”

Address

Bradwell Grove
Chipping Norton
OX184

Telephone

01993823006

Website

https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

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Videos

A hat-trick of birthdays at the Park!

A hat-trick of birthdays! We're celebrating a few birthdays this week at the Park. Our oldest Capybara Belle enjoyed a birthday cake for her 11th birthday. Belle shares her home with another rodent species from South America - Patagonian Mara. Capybaras are the largest rodent species in the world. Century, the Park's oldest Giraffe at 19, was also treated to a birthday cake which he immediately came over to investigate. As you can see, the cake didn't last long! Last but not least, Mammal Keeper Issy also celebrated her birthday too and was treated to a cake from the keepers. Happy birthday to Century, Belle and Issy from all of us at the Park. Thanks to Jenni, Deputy Section Head of Large Mammals, for making Belle's cake and Mammal Keeper Charlotte for creating Century's cake (which was made from sugar beet, carrot and cabbage). Both Belle and Century loved them! Please see our pinned message for the latest visitor information. Please note: The Adventure Playground 'Skymaze' will be closed this weekend for maintenance work.

Dashing through the snow... Head Keeper Mark managed to film Rhinos Molly and Queenie this morning running around in the Rhino paddock. Molly is the one galloping over first. Queenie was taking things at a more leisurely pace! Thanks for the great video Mark. We hope you enjoy watching it. **Please may we remind you that as of today, Tuesday 7 January 2025, our winter opening times have changed. Please see our pinned message for more information - thank you. **

Visitor update Sunday 5 January 2025: Cotswold Wildlife Park will be OPEN today from 10.00 am (with last admission at 3:00 pm). Following last night's snowfall, which is now beginning to melt, please take care when walking around the Park and please dress appropriately for the conditions. We are currently limiting entry as much of our grass car park is currently waterlogged and not possible to use. As parking capacity is reduced, please be aware that Park entry will be restricted to pre-booked E-tickets, Season Ticket holders and Gift Tickets for the time being (more information on our pinned message). Always ensure you always check our website or social media for the latest visitor information ahead of your visit. We may have to close at short notice depending on conditions - many thanks. Current view from our Penguin webcam at 9am. You can watch our webcams live here: https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/animals-gardens/web-cams/

Not wanting to be left out of the spotlight, one of our Miniature Donkeys comes over for a closer look.

The Emu youngsters in the Children's Farmyard can't resist coming over to investigate the camera...

*SOUND ON* Rhino calves Henry and Susie, born last August, playing in the paddock. If you listen carefully, you can hear them break the ice on one of the frozen puddles. Both investigated for a second before returning to chasing each other around the paddock and enjoying the winter sunshine.

Sloth spotting at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Sloth spotting. Visitors to the Park's Tropical House this week were treated to not one, but two sightings of our rather elusive pair of Linne's Two Toed Sloths - male Tambopata and female Flash. Both made a rare appearance climbing through the canopy of the Tropical House. Here's Flash moving at typical Sloth pace to find the perfect spot for a siesta in the winter sunshine. Why are Sloths so slow? • Being slow is an incredibly successful strategy for survival. In fact, being slow has helped Sloths to survive on this planet for almost 64 million years. • Sloths feed mostly on leaves with notably low calorific content and in order to survive on such a limited diet, they have one of the lowest metabolic rates amongst mammals. • It is also likely that Sloths move at a pace that simply goes unnoticed in order to avoid being identified as prey in the wild. Fact: These extraordinary animals come from the jungle canopy of South America and their upside-down lifestyle is reflected in the reversal of some of their internal organs. Sloths do most things upside down: eating, sleeping, mating and giving birth. Once a week, they will climb down from their tree to go to the toilet. Both our Sloths live in the Tropical House inside the Walled Garden and share their home with a wide range of stunning Tropical Birds, Rodrigues Fruit Bats and Potoroos. Additional Visitor Information: Cotswold Wildlife Park is currently open from 10.00am every day (except Christmas Day), with last admission at 3.00pm. Please note the Park’s opening times change from 7 January 2025 (please see https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/ for more information). Please always check our social media/website for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. In the event of extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that the Park may have to close at short notice so PLEASE CHECK AHEAD before travelling to the Park - thank you.

Coming in for a close-up! Watching the Salmon-Pink Bird-Eating Tarantula spinning its web is mesmerising. You can also see its eyes in this video.

Salmon-Pink Bird-eating Spider spinning its web.

Our Binturong family were also treated to a pumpkin filled with their favourite food treats inside. Thanks to Mammal Keeper Willemijn for the video. Fact: Cotswold Wildlife Park is home to the biggest Binturong group in the UK.

Mino the Greater Bamboo Lemur

We are delighted to announce the name of our latest Greater Bamboo Lemur arrival - perfect timing as today is also World Lemur Day. His name is Mino which means "believe" in Malagasy - a fitting name for a species faced with such adversity in the wild (and also because the youngster represents the belief that the work of the Park and its keepers can really make a difference to Lemur conservation and be a part of something so incredibly important). Primate, Small Mammal and Bird Keeper Charlotte kept a video diary of the youngster from when he was just a few weeks old, including Mino vocalising to his mother. This is the first time we've managed to capture this behaviour on video. Now more independent, he can be seen exploring the Greater Bamboo Lemur enclosure inside our Lemur exhibit Madagascar. World Lemur Day is celebrated on 25 October 2024. Now in its 10th year, its aim is to highlight the plight of Madagascar's most endangered primates. **Please see our previous posts for the latest visitor information and check our website/social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park - many thanks** Thanks to Charlotte for her footage and Conservation Coordinator Beth for making the video

Happy Reptile Awareness Day! Which are your favourite reptiles at the Park?

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

25/01/2025

23/01/2025

20/01/2025

11/01/2025

10/01/2025

07/01/2025

05/01/2025

05/01/2025

04/01/2025

02/01/2025

01/01/2025

01/01/2025

20/12/2024

11/12/2024

03/12/2024

02/12/2024

30/11/2024

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Telephone

Website

Alerts

Videos

A hat-trick of birthdays at the Park!

Sloth spotting at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Mino the Greater Bamboo Lemur

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