Tilgate Park

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Tilgate Park

Tilgate Park and Nature Centre has something for everyone. Come and visit us today. The park is open all year round.

Tilgate Park is one of Crawley's most popular places with something for everyone. Lakes, forests, formal gardens, Tilgate Nature Centre, cafe, craft units, Go Ape, boating, mountain biking, outdoor gym and so much more. Tilgate Nature Centre is open from:

10am-4pm November to March

10am-6pm April to October

Please note that last entry is one hour prior to closing. Tilgate Nature Centre is closed on Christmas Day.

01/01/2025

"Has it stopped raining yet?"

What a way to bring in the New Year! Roger the eclectus parrot isn't braving the weather today and we can't say we blame him! Let's hope the weekend will be drier and brighter! If you want to visit us, our opening times are back to normal now the festive period is coming to a close, so the zoo will be open from 10am - 4pm going forward. We hope to see you (and Roger!) out and about soon!

Happy New Year!

28/12/2024

⭐️ Star of the 1/4 of a Century! ⭐️
What can we say about this absolute star that hasn't been said before? This week, Keeper Sandra retired after working at Tilgate Nature Centre for over two decades!
Not only has she demonstrated care and compassion for generations of animals and staff alike in that time, she has remained steadfast through the Nature Centre's development and growth, changes of species, leadership and direction and soldiered on through tiring work and difficult times. She has guided countless work experience students, overseen innumerable animal births, helped with literally hundreds and hundreds of veterinary procedures and done an unthinkable amount of mucking out! And all this has been with a ready smile, positive attitude and stalwart determination. Of all the Tilgate stars, Sandra's surely burns as one of the brightest! We will miss you terribly Sandra, but enjoy your well earned rest!

27/12/2024

🐏 Farm animals often come to mind around this time of year; donkeys, oxen and sheep in particular.
But they do not always conjure up such mythic beauty as this gorgeous shot of one of our Soay sheep, which was taken by one of our visitors and sent into us for our 'Visitor Viewfinder'.
Isn't it stunning? Soay sheep have this wild quality to them, as they are a feral breed which is quite closely related to ancient historical sheep and you can almost feel the history in this photo!

If you take any photos during a visit that you would like us to share, please email them to us at [email protected].

📷

26/12/2024

Wrapping paper everywhere!
We hope you had a lovely Christmas Day!
The Nature Centre and Walled Garden remain closed today and will be open again from tomorrow.

📷 Education Officer Richard

25/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas! Our BiodiversiTree countdown to Christmas has come to an end!
Our final decoration is a deer! 🦌 There are several deer species in the UK, including some reindeer in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.
The colours on this deer are lovely and who doesn't love a reindeer at Christmas?

We hope you have enjoyed our Christmas countdown and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

24/12/2024

Just can't wait until tomorrow? 🎁
Let the excitement build watching our animals open a few early presents today!
What are you hoping to unwrap tomorrow?

24/12/2024

🎄 It's Christmas Eve! Santa will be getting ready for his night-time flight!
Lots of animals also fly through the night sky, like bats! 🦇
Today's decoration is an adorable pipistrelle bat! These are of conservation concern in the UK, so if you see one flitting about whilst waiting for reindeer, then don't be frightened, they're very important animals!
See if you can navigate through the night like a bat with our Christmas Night Flight activity! Something to fill the time in before the big day!

24/12/2024

🎁 Not yet Milo! It's not too late to be on the naughty list!... It's all happening this evening! But what to do beforehand...
Why not see some reindeer, so you know what to look put for tonight, as well as seeing the naughty Milo! Today's talk schedule is as follows:
11:00 - Reindeer Talk
12:30 - Armadillo Talk
1:45 - Meerkat Talk
2:15 - Reindeer Talk
2:45 - Tapir & Friends Talk and Feed
3:15 - Pigs and Goats Feed
And by then, night will be falling and Christmas is almost here!

23/12/2024

Christmas has come early for the keepers! It's Secret Santa time! 🎁
As part of , each year we take part in the zoo secret Santa!
Head over to Battersea Park Children's Zoo to see their video opening our gifts to them and we want to say a massive thank you to... .. Reaseheath Mini Zoo for all our lovely gifts! We're so grateful! Merry Christmas to everyone at Reaseheath Mini Zoo!

23/12/2024

What are you up to today? Why not take a trip to Tilgate Park to enjoy Magical Christmas in the Walled Garden, and then make a stop at the Nature Centre to see some of our animals - including the reindeer!? Today's talk schedule is as follows:

10:45 - Meet the Owl
12:15 - Reindeer Talk
2:15 - Reindeer Talk
2:45 - Tapir & Friends Talk and Feed
3:15 - Meerkat Feed

Come and join the festive fun!

23/12/2024

It's a classic festive tale; Christmas is nearly here and you haven't finished your Christmas shopping. The streets are busy, the shops are emptying fast, and you still haven't found a gift for notoriously hard-to-buy-for Aunt Susan. But don't panic! We're here to help! There's still time to buy the best present in town, a gift to thrill even the trickiest of friends and family...an animal encounter experience at Tilgate Nature Centre!

Gift vouchers (valid for one year from the date of purchase) are available for:

Meet the Meerkats
Armadillo Afternoon Tea
Scales & Shells
Zookeeper Experience

Email us with which experience you would like to buy, who for, and your phone number, and the elves in the office will give you a call later on today to sort everything out. Phew! Christmas saved!

Email: [email protected] or call us on 01293 521168

For more information about the experiences we offer, please see the following link:

https://orlo.uk/bdTE8

22/12/2024

🎄 Amongst the branches of the Biodiversi-Tree is Fezziwig the barn owl! 🦉
With a festive name like that, she's perfect for this time of year, as is Holly our zoo educator!

21/12/2024

⭐️ Christmas Star of the Week ⭐️

Someone has done their best to get on the 'nice list' this week and it's definitely worked! Weighing the animals is important for their health, but ideally the animals come to the scales willingly themselves. Fester the marabou stork is usually very scared of less familiar objects and stays far away from the scales whenever they come near, but not this week! He came over to the scales voluntarily and keepers were able to take a weight from him. Thank you so much Fester, we will make sure Father Christmas is well aware of your good behaviour!

📸 Keeper El

20/12/2024

🎄 Who is pollinating the Biodiversi-Tree! Bees!
But how do bees find their way around? Find out in this clip with Keeper Emily!

19/12/2024

🎄 The 'Three' Days of Christmas - our Christmas opening times:
Tilgate Nature Centre and the Walled Garden will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
On other days, we will be open with our usual winter opening hours of 10am - 4pm with last entry by 3pm.

Address

Titmus Drive, Tilgate
Crawley
RH105PQ

Telephone

01293 521168

Website

http://www.crawley.gov.uk/tilgatepark

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Videos

Opening Christmas Presents!

Just can't wait until tomorrow? 🎁 Let the excitement build watching our animals open a few early presents today! What are you hoping to unwrap tomorrow? #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo #zoo #christmas #animalpresents

BIAZA Secret Santa 2024!

Christmas has come early for the keepers! It's Secret Santa time! 🎁 As part of @BIAZA, each year we take part in the zoo secret Santa! Head over to Battersea Park Children's Zoo to see their video opening our gifts to them and we want to say a massive thank you to... ... Reaseheath Mini Zoo for all our lovely gifts! We're so grateful! Merry Christmas to everyone at Reaseheath Mini Zoo! #BIAZASecretSanta2024 #BIAZASecretSanta #BIAZA #SecretSanta #TilgateNatureCentre #TilgatePark #Tilgate #Crawley #TilgateZoo #TilgateParkZoo

Home Invaders Dressed all in Red! | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 There's a stranger in the BiodiversiTree! 🐞 Christmas is a time for home invaders, be they the Wet Bandits from Home Alone or the jolly man in red! But why are these little red insects inside my house too? Find out in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Festive Fezziwig the Owl! | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 Amongst the branches of the Biodiversi-Tree is Fezziwig the barn owl! 🦉 With a festive name like that, she's perfect for this time of year, as is Holly our zoo educator! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Tilgate Tales Storytime: 'Hoof on the Roof' | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 Storytime at the Biodiversi-Tree, all about robins! 🪶 Today on our countdown to Christmas with British biodiversity, we have the robin! Here all about this iconic winter resident with this year's Tilgate Tales storytime about Russ the robin, called 'Hoof on the Roof'! #Biodiversitree #tilgatetales #tilgatetalesstorytime #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

O Christmas Bee! | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 Who is pollinating the Biodiversi-Tree! Bees! But how do bees find their way around? Find out in this clip with Keeper Emily! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Squirrels Sleeping Soundly | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 What's that in the branches of the Biodiversi-Tree! It's a grey squirrel! 🐿️ Since they're around here and in the park, how are they keeping warm in the chilly air? Find out in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Reindeer Fly and Dragons Fly? | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 The Biodiversi-Tree continues! Flying reindeer is one thing, but a dragonfly? 🐲 At Christmas? Why don't we see dragonflies in December? Find out in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Turkey and stuffing or puffin? | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 The Biodiversi-Tree continues! On the run up to Christmas, we think about lots of birds - mostly turkeys or robins. But what about one of Britain's prettiest - the puffin! Hear why they fit in perfectly with Christmas in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Wallabies in a Winter Wonderland! | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 Day 2 of the Biodiversi-Tree! In our countdown to Christmas, bounding towards the big day, our next decoration is a wallaby! 🦘 But... Aren't we focussing on British biodiversity this year? Find out how it all makes sense in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

Boughs of Holly and... Butterflies! | Biodiversi-Tree 2024

🎄 The Biodiversi-Tree is back! It's our countdown to Christmas, where we look at all the wonderful biodiversity of the world through our wild and eclectic assortment of animal decorations! First up is a butterfly! 🦋 Find our why butterflies would love Christmas but rarely get to see it in today's clip! #Biodiversitree #conservationchristmas #tilgatenaturecentre #tilgatepark #tilgate #crawley #tilgatezoo #tilgateparkzoo

The capy is out of the crate!

The cat’s out of the bag! Or should we say, the capy is out of the crate! Well done to everyone that guessed correctly, we have welcomed a lovely new male capybara to Tilgate. His name is Spud and he comes from our friends at Hertfordshire Zoo. He’s already settling in really well and getting to know the girls, Carol and Clara - here’s hoping friendship turns to romance and we can welcome some new capybara babies soon too! Watch this space, and don’t forget to say hello to Spud on your next visit! 🎥 Senior Keeper Emily