Twycross Zoo Review – Expensive, Confusing, and Rainy
Well, what can I say about Twycross Zoo? My initial thoughts were that it felt a little expensive, slightly regimented, and, to be honest, a bit on the small side. Perhaps that’s being a little unfair—after all, the animals seemed genuinely well cared for, which is undoubtedly the most important thing. And let’s face it, our visit coincided with a relentless downpour of rain, so it’s possible we didn’t get the zoo at its best. Still, a few aspects of the experience left us scratching our heads.
First Impressions and Navigating the Zoo
Navigating Twycross Zoo is no small feat. There isn’t a clear path or obvious route to follow, and the signposts can be a little confusing. For a first-time visitor, this can make exploring feel slightly overwhelming. While we tried to see as much as possible, it quickly became clear that you don’t actually get to see as many animals as you might expect from the website’s listings. Perhaps the timing of our visit played a part, but it did feel a little disappointing.
Even so, the zoo has its charms. The grounds are tidy, the animals appear happy and well looked after, and there is a lot of effort put into making the space educational and engaging. It’s just that some of the layout and flow could do with a rethink to help visitors get the most out of their day.
Costs and Facilities
One thing that can’t be ignored is the cost of a visit. The well-known “Pay for a day, visit for 12 months free” offer is generous if you’re planning multiple trips, but if you’re only visiting once, the pricing adds up quickly:
- Adults: £30 each
- Children: £20 each
- Parking fees
- £3 for the indoor play area
Food and drink are another consideration. The indoor play area doubles as the main food hall, which can be pricey. For example, we ended up paying £28 for one large pizza and a fruit shoot. And as if that wasn’t enough, the play area requires a pre-booked one-hour time slot costing an additional £3, which felt a little restrictive when the rain was relentless outside.
On our first visit, I suggested heading to the play area to escape the downpour, only to be told by Amanda that our slot wasn’t until later. In hindsight, she was right, but it did mean cutting our visit short and heading elsewhere to let Oscar enjoy some playtime.
Second Visit – A Sunny Bank Holiday
Determined to give Twycross Zoo another chance, we returned on a sunny bank holiday Monday with a picnic in tow. The experience was slightly better with the sunshine and more relaxed timing, but many of my earlier observations remained.
Despite spending four hours there, we still didn’t see as many animals as expected. Many cages appeared empty, and most of the animals weren’t outside. We assumed the heat may have encouraged them to stay indoors, though many species at the zoo originate from Africa, where temperatures are much higher. Even so, it was a little frustrating to feel like we weren’t seeing the full array of animals.
Verdict and Alternatives
Twycross Zoo does have its positive aspects—the animals are well cared for, and the zoo can be enjoyable on a dry day with a well-prepared picnic. However, a few factors make it less than ideal for a casual day out:
- Confusing navigation and signage
- Relatively high costs for entry, parking, and food
- Limited animal sightings during our visits
For a more complete and enjoyable zoo experience, I would recommend considering Chester Zoo or West Midlands Safari Park instead. That said, we will likely return to Twycross Zoo on a calmer, dry day to try and make the most of our membership.
Useful Information:
- 🌎 Location: Twycross, near Atherstone, Leicestershire, England
- ℹ️ Details: An award-winning conservation charity and zoological park set in 80 acres.
- ✨ Signature Feature: Renowned globally as The World Primate Centre.
- 🏢 Central Landmark: The Himalaya Welcome Centre / Primate Exhibits.
- 📍 Satnav: Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX.
- 🧭 Coordinates 52.64296612345835, -1.5059764449202517
- 💬 Access Tip: The zoo is easily accessible via major routes, off M42 (Junction 11).
- 🌐 Official Link: Twycross Zoo & The Gruffalo Discovery Land
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