The Short Answer
Planning your stay?
Luxury Group Stays at The Barn — check availability and book direct.
Twycross Zoo sits on the Leicestershire and Warwickshire border at Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX, just off M42 junction 11. It is the UK’s only dedicated World Primate Centre, home to all four great apes plus snow leopards, giraffes and penguins. Book online in advance to save, with adult tickets from £26.95 and children (3 to 17) from £19.75. Allow a full day, then base yourself at The Barn near Market Harborough, about 50 minutes away by car.
Insider Tip
Book your tickets online at least 24 hours ahead to claim the 10% advance discount, and arrive close to the 10am opening. The great apes and primates are most active in the cool of the morning, and you will beat the queues at the soft play and the Gruffalo Discovery Land before they fill up around lunchtime.
Twycross Zoo is one of the best family days out in the East Midlands, and it has a claim no other UK zoo can make. It is the country’s only dedicated World Primate Centre, which means you can see all four of the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos) in one visit, alongside snow leopards, giraffes, penguins and more than 100 other species spread across 88 acres.
Sitting right on the Leicestershire and Warwickshire border near Atherstone, the zoo is easy to reach from across the Midlands and makes a brilliant day trip if you are staying in the area. This guide covers everything you need to plan a smooth visit: tickets and prices, opening times, how long to spend, getting there and parking, food, accessibility and whether it suits toddlers. At the end you will find a comfortable, family-friendly place to stay close by.
Where is Twycross Zoo?
Twycross Zoo is at Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX, on the border between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in the heart of the National Forest. Despite the rural setting, it is genuinely simple to find. The zoo sits beside the A444 and is signposted from M42 junction 11, so most visitors are off the motorway and parked within a few minutes.
Its central location is part of the appeal. The zoo is roughly equal distance from Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry, Tamworth and Nuneaton, which makes it a popular meeting point for families travelling from different directions. If you are exploring the wider region, it pairs well with other attractions in the East Midlands, including a trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester on a separate day.
Need a relaxed base for your zoo trip?
Check AvailabilityTwycross Zoo tickets and prices
Twycross Zoo works on a pay for a day, visit free for a year model. Your standard admission ticket includes entry on your chosen date plus 12 months of free return visits once you activate it, which is excellent value if you live within striking distance or come back during a holiday. Tickets also cover the Gruffalo Discovery Land and the main animal habitats.
Prices are cheaper when you book online at least 24 hours ahead, where a 10% advance discount applies. Children under 3 go free, and child tickets currently include a Zoo Crew Champions Pack. All visits must be pre-booked, so do not turn up on spec expecting to pay at the gate without booking first.
| Ticket (online advance) | Price from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | £26.95 | Includes 12 months free return |
| Child (3 to 17) | £19.75 | Includes Zoo Crew Champions Pack |
| Infant (under 3) | Free | No ticket needed |
| Parking | £4 per vehicle | Pay in advance or at machines on site |
| Zoo Plus membership | From £33.25 | Adds soft play, food and retail perks |
If you think you will return within the year, the standard ticket already builds that in. The Zoo Plus membership is worth a look for regular visitors, since it adds unlimited soft play for children and discounts on food, drink and retail.
Opening times
Twycross Zoo is open daily except Christmas Day. Standard hours are 10am to 5pm in the main season, with last entry at 4pm. During the autumn and winter months the closing time often shifts earlier to 4pm, so always check the calendar on the official site for the exact date you plan to visit.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Open | Daily except Christmas Day |
| Main season hours | 10am to 5pm |
| Winter hours (typical) | 10am to 4pm |
| Last entry | One hour before closing |
| Booking | Required in advance |
What animals are at Twycross Zoo?
Primates are the heart of Twycross Zoo, and they are the reason it earned its World Primate Centre status. You can see all four great apes in a single visit, which is rare in the UK. The bonobo troop recently moved into a brand new outdoor space, and there are pileated gibbons, lemurs and a wide range of monkeys to watch as well.
Beyond the primates, there is plenty to keep everyone happy. Highlights to look out for include:
- Snow leopards and big cats including Amur and Sumatran tigers
- Giraffes, the family favourite at feeding time
- Humboldt penguins at the daily poolside talks
- Reptiles and insects in the Close Encounters zone, including a large boa constrictor
- Meerkats, red pandas and a host of smaller mammals
Daily keeper talks and feeds are scattered across the timetable, so grab a map when you arrive and plan your route around the ones your family most wants to catch. The giraffe and penguin talks are usually the most popular, so arrive a few minutes early to get a good spot.
Twycross is also a serious conservation organisation, not just a day out. Many of the species here are part of international breeding programmes, and the keepers are happy to explain the work behind the scenes if you ask at a talk. For children, that turns a fun afternoon into a genuine lesson about why these animals matter, which is a nice bonus on top of the entertainment.
How long do you need at Twycross Zoo?
Plan for a full day. Most families spend between four and five hours here, and you can easily fill more if you stop for the keeper talks, the soft play and a proper lunch. The 88-acre site is bigger than it first appears, and there is a fair amount of walking between zones, so it is not a quick hour-long pop-in.
With younger children, build in time for the Gruffalo Discovery Land, the Wet ‘n’ Wild splash play area in warmer weather, and the indoor soft play. These extras are what turn a zoo trip into a whole day out, and they give little legs a break from walking. If you are travelling from a holiday base nearby, leaving in the morning and returning for the evening works well.
“A beautiful property and estate, combined with an excellent host. The facilities were top quality and perfect for our family of 5. We look forward to staying again!”
Getting there and parking
The easiest way to reach Twycross Zoo is by car. Set your sat nav to CV9 3PX, leave the M42 at junction 11 (Appleby Magna) and follow the brown tourist signs along the A444. On-site parking costs £4 per vehicle, which you can book in advance or pay at the machines near the visitor centre.
| Getting there | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sat nav postcode | CV9 3PX |
| By motorway | M42 junction 11, then A444 |
| Parking | £4 per vehicle on site |
| From Market Harborough | About 36 miles, roughly 50 minutes |
| From Leicester | About 40 minutes by car |
Public transport is more limited, as the zoo sits in a rural spot away from a direct rail link. If you are relying on the train you would typically travel to a nearby town such as Tamworth or Atherstone and continue by taxi or bus, so a car really is the simplest option for a relaxed family day.
Food, accessibility and facilities
There are several places to eat across the site, from a main restaurant to coffee and snack stops, plus picnic areas if you prefer to bring your own. With a young family, packing a picnic alongside a treat or two is a sensible way to keep costs down over a full day.
A few practical notes to help you plan:
- Paths are largely flat and pushchair friendly, though the site is large so comfortable shoes are a must
- Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available around the zoo
- Manual wheelchairs can usually be hired, but book ahead as numbers are limited
- Assistance dogs are welcome, but other pets are not permitted
- Indoor areas such as the soft play give you shelter on a rainy day
Honest trade-off: on a busy bank holiday the car park, food outlets and popular talks can get crowded. If you can visit midweek or in term time, you will have a calmer day with more room around the enclosures. The British weather is the other thing to plan for, since a good chunk of the zoo is outdoors. Layers, waterproofs and a spare jumper in the car will keep everyone comfortable whatever the forecast does.
Where to stay near Twycross Zoo
If you want to make a short break of it rather than a single day out, basing yourself near Market Harborough gives you a quiet, comfortable spot within easy reach of the zoo and plenty of other attractions. The Barn at Rectory Farm in Clipston is a luxury self-catering barn conversion that sleeps eight, plus space for two infants, making it ideal for families and groups travelling together.
The Barn has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a garden and terrace with a gas BBQ, and a striking 10-metre folding glass wall that opens the living space out to the countryside. From here, Twycross Zoo is about 36 miles away, roughly a 50-minute drive, so you can enjoy a full day with the animals and come home to space, peace and a proper kitchen for dinner. It also works well as a base for things to do in Market Harborough and the surrounding countryside.
Make a weekend of your zoo trip
The Barn is a luxury self-catering cottage near Market Harborough that sleeps 8, with a garden, terrace and BBQ for relaxed family evenings. Book direct for the best rates.
Check Dates & BookLooking for a smaller group option or somewhere for a couple? The Barn also makes a comfortable a family cottage near Market Harborough for relaxed countryside breaks throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Twycross Zoo?
Twycross Zoo is at Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX, on the border between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in the National Forest. It is signposted from M42 junction 11 and sits beside the A444.
How much are Twycross Zoo tickets?
Booked online in advance, adult tickets start from £26.95 and children aged 3 to 17 from £19.75. Infants under 3 go free, and parking is £4 per vehicle. Every standard ticket includes 12 months of free return visits.
How long do you need at Twycross Zoo?
Allow a full day. Most families spend four to five hours here, and you can fill more with keeper talks, soft play and lunch. The 88-acre site involves a fair bit of walking, so it is more of a day out than a quick visit.
What animals are at Twycross Zoo?
As the UK’s only World Primate Centre, it is home to all four great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos), plus gibbons and lemurs. You will also see snow leopards, tigers, giraffes, penguins, meerkats and reptiles among more than 100 species.
Is Twycross Zoo worth visiting?
Yes. The chance to see all four great apes in one place is unusual in the UK, and the mix of big cats, giraffes, penguins and family play areas makes for a full and varied day. The 12 months of free return visits add strong value if you can come back.
Is there parking at Twycross Zoo?
Yes, there is a large on-site car park charged at £4 per vehicle. You can pay in advance when you book your tickets or at the machines near the visitor centre on the day.
Is Twycross Zoo good for toddlers?
It is. The Gruffalo Discovery Land, indoor soft play and the Wet ‘n’ Wild splash area in warmer months are aimed squarely at younger children, and infants under 3 enter free. Paths are mostly flat and pushchair friendly, though the site is large so plan for rest breaks.
How far is Twycross Zoo from Market Harborough?
It is about 36 miles, roughly a 50-minute drive. That makes The Barn near Market Harborough a comfortable base for a day at the zoo, with space to relax in the evening.