1. Yorkshire
  2. West Yorkshire
  3. Heckmondwike

About Ponderosa Zoo

Ponderosa Zoo has everything you could wish for, being home to over 120 animals and featuring multiple outdoor areas for your kids to discover. You and your little animal lovers are sure to have a wild time there!

Things To Do

Get ready to come face-to-face with some of the most incredible creatures on the planet! Ponderosa Zoo has a huge selection of animals from wallabies and meerkats to African cape porcupines and alpacas. They even have a reptile house if your kids love slithering snakes! Psstt...you can even walk through the Lemur enclosure!

That's not all! Ponderosa Zoo offer a nocturnal animal walkthrough! We highly recommend trying this out as you can see a variety of animals on your walkthrough. 

Over 120 animals!

Ponderosa Zoo has over 120 animals for you to discover, including, lemurs, meerkats, alpacas, wallabies and so much more!

Man-Made Beach

The Zoo also has a man-made beach for you to enjoy! There's even a pirate ship for the kids to play on. It's perfect for those summer days out!

Lakeside Restaurant

Not only does the Lakeside Restaurant serve some delicious snacks and drinks but it overlooks a beautiful water area!

Tick Icon

Facilities

  • Toilets iconToilets
  • Free Wifi iconFree Wifi
  • Gift Shop iconGift Shop
  • Onsite Parking iconOnsite Parking
  • Accessible Toilets iconAccessible Toilets
  • Baby Changing iconBaby Changing
  • Food Available iconFood Available
  • Wheelchair Friendly iconWheelchair Friendly
  • Pushchair Friendly iconPushchair Friendly
  • Card Payments Accepted iconCard Payments Accepted
  • Wheelchair Hire iconWheelchair Hire
Timer Icon

Opening Times

Regular Times
  • Monday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Thursday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Friday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Saturday, 10:00 - 16:00
  • Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00
Special Days

    Wednesday, December 25 2024: Closed

    Thursday, December 26 2024: Closed

    Tuesday, December 31 2024: Closed

    Wednesday, January 1 2025: Closed

1st April - October 25th Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00

Winter Hours - 1st November - 31st March Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Ticket Icon

Pricing & Tickets

General Admission
  • Child (4-15) : £7.95
  • Adult (15-18+) : £8.95

General Admission
Adults: £8.95
Child: £7.95

Senior: £7.95
Family (2 adults, 2 kids OR 1 adult, 3 kids): £28.00

Under-2s: FREE 

Disabled Adult: £6

Carer: £5.50

Disabled Senior £5.50

Disabled Child: £5.50




Book in advance for cheapest tickets

Find other attractions similar to Ponderosa Zoo by visiting our attraction tickets section.

Timer Icon

Plan Your Visit

Stopwatch IconTypical visit time 1 - 2 hours

Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too

Food & Drink Options

The Coffee Shop

Choose from hot drinks, cold drinks, cakes and snacks.

Pizza Shed

Choose from a range of yummy pizzas to choose from.

The Lakeside Restaurant

Choose from a range of snacks, meals, afternoon tea and a Sunday carvery.

Question Mark Icon

FAQs

Parking Icon

Parking

Toilets Icon

Toilets

Family Icon

Family Friendly Options

Food & Drink

Accessibility Icon

Accessibility Information

Ticket Icon

Tickets & Bookings

Party Icon

Private Hire & Birthday Parties

Pin Icon

Contact Details

Ponderosa R T C
Park Farm
Smithies Lane
Heckmondwike
West Yorkshire
WF16 0PN
England

Tel: 01924235276

Visit Website
Pin Icon

Transport Information

By train:

- The closest train station to Ponderosa is located in Dewsbury.

By bus:

- The closest bus station to Ponderosa is located in Heckmondwike.

Tick Icon

Verification

Verified Status:Verified

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

Additional Information

By car from Manchester:

- Come off the M62 at Junction 26 and turn right onto the A638.

- Follow this road through Cleckheaton and turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre.

- The zoo is signposted on the right. Turn down station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left.

By car from Leeds:

- Turn off the M62 at Junction 27 and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield.

- Drive through 6 sets of lights and turn left into Heckmondwike, then turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre.

- The zoo is signposted on the right. Turn down station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left.

Ponderosa Zoo Reviews

Recent blog posts

UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 12th June 2026 - Image
Paige HoltJune 12, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 12th June 2026

As we’re nearing mid-June, the one month countdown to the school summer holidays is well and truly on and if you haven’t already started planning ahead, NOW is the time to do so… The UK Family Days Out Everyone’s Booking This Summer BeWILDerwood Norfolk Ready and waiting to welcome adventurers of all ages, BeWILDerwood Norfolk…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities
10 of The Best Free Museums in the UK - Image
JamesJune 9, 2026
10 of The Best Free Museums in the UK

Discover 10 brilliant free days out across the UK, led by Manchester Museum. Perfect family ideas for budget-friendly adventures without entry fees.

Ideas On A Budget
Museums and History
Things To Do
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 5th June 2026 - Image
Paige HoltJune 5, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 5th June 2026

The arrival of June signals just one thing: SUMMER has officially landed! We know you’re itching to dive into sun-drenched family adventures and soak up every second of the great outdoors before it’s gone. Keep scrolling for our weekly top picks of attractions… The UK Family Days Out Everyone’s Booking This Summer Wonderland, Telford Get…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 29th May 2026 - Image
Paige HoltMay 29, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 29th May 2026

Wow what a SCORCHER this May half-term has been! Whilst it might be back to routines sooner than you’d like, the fun needn’t be over as there’s still plenty going on for you and your family to enjoy! Check out these trending family attractions you won’t want to miss out on: The Days Out Families…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities
May Half Term 2026 - Best Days Out - Image
JamesMay 27, 2026
May Half Term 2026 - Best Days Out

May Half Term 2026 – Best Days Out May half term is one of the best times of year to get the kids out of the house: warmer weather, longer days and a packed calendar of limited-time family events. To make planning easier, we’ve pulled together the best May Half Term 2026 days out from…

Things To Do
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 22nd May 2026 - Image
Paige HoltMay 22, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 22nd May 2026

May half-term has officially arrived, and with a week of glorious sunshine ahead, it is the perfect time for an outdoor adventure! We have rounded up everything you need for the ultimate break. Searching for inspiration? We have found some fantastic last-minute options to help you plan a truly memorable trip. Attractions nationwide are launching…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 15th May 2026 - Image
Paige HoltMay 15, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 15th May 2026

May half-term is certainly on the horizon now, which means it’s time to start planning some unforgettable family days out! With Whit Week just around the corner, attractions across the country are gearing up for a packed schedule of special events, live entertainment, thrilling rides, and seasonal activities perfect for all ages. Below is a…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 8th May 2026 - Image
Paige HoltMay 8, 2026
UK Family Days Out Weekly Round Up 8th May 2026

It’s that time of the week again when you start scratching your head as to where to take the children this weekend. Well, there’s no need to worry as we’ve got you covered with a whole range of entertaining activities suitable for your youngest right up to your eldest.  Below is a list of all…

Family Fun
Things To Do
Top Recommended Activities