About Howletts Wild Animal Park

Discover Howletts Wild Animal Park: Kent’s Ultimate Wildlife Adventure!

Animal lovers and wildlife fanatics, welcome to Howletts Wild Animal Park – Kent’s original wildlife park and an extraordinary destination for animal encounters, conservation, and family fun! Nestled in 100 acres of beautiful countryside just outside Canterbury, Howletts is more than just a zoo. It's a place dedicated to protecting endangered species, inspiring visitors, and providing unforgettable experiences with some of the world’s most incredible animals.

  • Meet the UK’s Largest Herd of African Elephants

    A visit to Howletts Wild Animal Park isn’t complete without seeing the incredible African elephants – the largest herd in the UK! Watch these majestic giants roam their spacious habitat, interact with their young, and display natural behaviours. It’s a rare and humbling chance to see elephant family life up close, right here in Kent.

  • Walk Among Giants in the Ice Age Exhibit

    Step back thousands of years and walk alongside life-sized creatures from the Ice Age at Howletts' immersive exhibit. From towering mammoths to fearsome sabre-toothed cats, it’s a fascinating and educational journey through prehistoric times. Kids and adults alike will love discovering these ancient giants as they stroll through the ancient Kentish woodland.

  • Upgrade Your Day with Wild Animal Encounters at Howletts

    Take your visit to the next level with unforgettable animal encounters at Howletts Wild Animal Park – the only place in Kent where you can meet a giant anteater! From getting up close with lemurs to feeding our black rhinos, there’s a wild experience for every animal lover. Book an encounter and step behind the scenes with expert keepers to learn more about your favourite species. These upgradeable experiences offer once-in-a-lifetime moments and help support vital conservation work both here and around the world

Attraction Details

Opening Times

Regular Times

  • Monday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Tuesday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Wednesday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Thursday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Friday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Saturday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Sunday, 09:30 - 17:00

Howletts is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00 during the main summer season, with later 18:00 closing during school holidays and bank holidays. Winter opening times vary, and the park is closed on Christmas Day, so check your selected date before travelling.

Plan Your Visit

Clock IconTypical visit time 3 - 4 hours
Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too
Day Out With The Kids Logo

Tried & Tested by Real Families

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The Pound Family

Family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids)

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Howletts Zoo Family Day Out!

Visited: Jun 2026

"A great more chilled day out. Lots of monkeys and cats, we found out many facts about every animal as we walked around. However we found it wasn't a full on long day and there wasn't many adventurous animals. Though it is a great price in comparison to many other zoo's that we have been to. " ...read more.

Entrance to howletts zooWalking inThe kids were excited to see rhinos right by the entrance.It was safe for the young children to wonder around without me being worried there was too many places for them to hide or run out of sight.
Safety & Cleanliness5.0
Rides & Entertainment3.0
Food & Drink3.0
Queues & Crowds5.0
Fun & Delight5.0
Value for Money5.0

FAQs

Directions

Howletts Wild Animal Park logo

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Howletts Wild Animal Park, Bekesbourne Road, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5EL, England

Tel: 01227721286

This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.

Last updated: 11:11 08/08/2026

Howletts Wild Animal Park Reviews

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