Planning a day out with little ones and wondering if Twycross Zoo will keep them entertained from the moment you arrive to the moment you drag them back to the car? Spoiler: it absolutely will. Sitting in the heart of England in Leicestershire, Twycross Zoo is one of the UK’s most beloved family attractions, and in 2026 it is better than ever, with brand-new experiences, exciting animal arrivals, and enough whooshing, zooming, splashing and roaring to fill a very full day out!
TL;DR: Twycross Zoo is a fantastic full-day destination for families with younger children. Highlights include The Gruffalo Discovery Land, indoor soft play, the Wet ‘n’ Wild splash zone, the UK’s only four great apes, and daily animal talks. Plan for at least five to six hours and book tickets in advance to save money.
Whether your little ones are obsessed with animals, love a good splash, or are massive Gruffalo fans (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), Twycross Zoo has something to make every child’s eyes go wide. Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit.
The Gruffalo Discovery Land: A Must-Do for Little Ones
If you have young Gruffalo fans in tow, this is the moment they have been waiting for! The Gruffalo Discovery Land is a fully immersive experience inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved children’s book, and it is absolutely magical for younger children.
What to Expect Inside
You follow the story of the small brave mouse as you wander through the deep dark wood, meeting all the iconic characters along the way. Fox’s Underground House, Owl’s Treetop House, Snake’s Logpile House, and of course The Gruffalo himself are all brought to life with interactive animatronics, short clips from the film, and hands-on buttons that trigger character voices and sounds. Little ones can press, explore, and interact at every turn.
The trail also includes:
- A butterfly walk-through enclosure, where you can stroll among beautiful live butterflies
- A goat petting area, perfect for toddlers and younger children
- The Gruffalo Glade, where live shows and character meet-and-greet sessions take place throughout the day
- The Oh Crumbs! Café, serving Gruffalo-themed treats (Gruffalo Crumble, anyone?)
- The Gruffalo Goodies gift shop for all the keepsakes your little ones will absolutely insist on
Top tip: Check the daily show schedule as soon as you arrive so you can time your visit to The Gruffalo Glade perfectly. Meeting The Gruffalo in person is a highlight that younger children absolutely adore!
Soft Play and Outdoor Adventure: Burn Off That Energy!
Kids and boundless energy go hand in hand, and Twycross Zoo has plenty of space for little ones to run, climb, splash and play. Bear with us here because there is a lot to get through!
Indoor Soft Play
There is a large indoor soft play area available at the zoo, which is brilliant for younger children and a welcome break for parents, especially on cooler days. In 2026, the Zoo Plus membership ticket includes free soft play as one of its headline perks, making it superb value if you are planning more than one visit. For standard day ticket holders, soft play is available for an additional cost of around £6 per child, with timed sessions available to book on arrival or in advance.
Wet ‘n’ Wild Splash Zone
On a sunny day, the Wet ‘n’ Wild Play Park is an absolute winner! It features fountains, sprays, and splash zones designed for all ages, and it is the perfect way for little adventurers to cool down and burn off even more energy. Pack a change of clothes and a towel, because they will get wet. Very wet. You have been warned!
Outdoor Play Areas and the Sensory Trail
Dotted throughout the zoo’s 100 acres, you will find outdoor play areas and sandpits that are perfect for younger children to explore at their own pace. One of the hidden gems is the sensory trail, where children can take off their shoes and socks to feel different textures underfoot. It is a small touch, but little ones absolutely love it!
Top tip: Face painting is available near the main entrance, so head there early in the day. There is nothing quite like spending the day as your favourite animal!
Amazing Animals: The Highlights You Cannot Miss
Of course, no visit to Twycross Zoo would be complete without spending time with the incredible animals! With hundreds of species across the 100-acre site, it is genuinely hard to know where to start. Here are the absolute must-sees for families with younger children.
The UK’s Only Four Great Apes
This is Twycross Zoo’s most famous claim to fame, and it is a remarkable one. Twycross is the only zoo in the UK where you can see all four species of great ape in a single visit. That means gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, all under one roof. Watch them play, interact, and display behaviours that will leave even the smallest children completely transfixed. The orangutan enclosure is a particular favourite and well worth a long visit.
In 2026, the zoo’s bonobo troop has also moved into a brand-new outdoor space, so you can now watch them explore in a much more natural setting. It is a genuinely special thing to see!
Other Animal Highlights
| Animal | Why Kids Love It |
|---|---|
| Giraffes | You can book a giraffe feeding encounter for an extra wow moment |
| Meerkats | Always active and endlessly entertaining for little ones |
| Snow Leopard and Sumatran Tigers | Jaw-dropping big cats in immersive habitats |
| Lorikeets | Hand-feed these colourful birds with nectar pots (around £2 extra) |
| Butterflies | Walk among them in the tropical enclosure inside Gruffalo Discovery Land |
| Flamingos, Lemurs and Rhinos | Brilliant variety across the wider zoo grounds |
New in 2026: Baby Animals!
Twycross Zoo welcomed its first baby of 2026 in February, an adorable and endangered pileated gibbon born in the zoo’s Gibbon Forest. As a conservation charity, Twycross has particular expertise in primate genetics, and this birth is a genuinely momentous one. Both mum and baby can be seen at the Gibbon Forest, and it is one of those magical moments that reminds you exactly why zoos like this matter so much.
Daily Animal Talks
Expert rangers run animal talks throughout the day at various spots around the zoo. From penguins to meerkats, these talks are brilliant for curious young minds and a great way to keep little ones engaged and learning. Grab the daily schedule from the entrance on arrival and plan your route around the talks you do not want to miss!
Animal Experiences: Go Beyond the Enclosures
Want to take your family’s Twycross Zoo adventure to the next level? The zoo offers a brilliant range of premium animal experiences that go well beyond the standard visit. These are available at an additional cost and are perfect for families who want to create truly unforgettable memories.
Some of the most popular experiences include:
- Giraffe feeding encounter – get up close and personal with these gentle giants
- Meerkat encounter – spend quality time with one of the zoo’s most popular residents
- Tiger experience – a jaw-dropping moment with the zoo’s magnificent Sumatran tigers
- Great ape tour – a guided behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s famous primate family
- Snow leopard and Amur leopard encounters – rare big cats, up close
- Zookeeper for a day – the ultimate experience for animal-mad kids
These experiences need to be booked in advance, so check the Twycross Zoo tickets and experiences page before your visit to see what is available on your chosen date.
Eating, Drinking and Keeping Everyone Happy
A full day at the zoo means hungry little tummies, and Twycross has you well covered! There are plenty of food and drink options spread across the site so you are never far from a snack, a meal, or a much-needed coffee.
Food Options at Twycross Zoo
- The Oh Crumbs! Café in The Gruffalo Discovery Land is a brilliant themed option for younger children, with Gruffalo-inspired treats and snacks
- A fish and chip shop sits in the middle of the zoo, perfect for a proper sit-down lunch
- Refreshment kiosks are dotted throughout every area of the zoo, with snacks, drinks, and ice creams available at every turn
Alternatively, Twycross Zoo is very picnic-friendly, so packing your own lunch is a great way to save money and give little ones a familiar meal in the middle of the day.
Top tip: Zoo Plus members get a free cup and 50% off hot drinks throughout the zoo. If you are planning multiple visits in 2026, it is well worth looking into!
Tickets, Timing and Planning Your Visit
A little planning goes a long way at Twycross Zoo, especially when you are visiting with younger children. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
Tickets and Pricing
Twycross Zoo offers standard day tickets as well as the Zoo Plus membership, which is their best-value option for families who want to return more than once. Zoo Plus starts from £33.25 and includes:
- 12 months of unlimited zoo entry
- Free soft play (new for 2026)
- A free cup with 50% off hot drinks throughout every visit
For families visiting just once, standard day tickets are available online with a saving versus buying on the door. We always recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially during school holidays and half terms when the zoo gets busy. You can book Twycross Zoo tickets here and save 10% online.
Planning Tips for Families with Young Children
- Allow a full day. Five to six hours is the minimum to do the zoo justice, and you will probably still feel like you have not seen everything!
- Arrive early. The zoo is quieter in the morning, and you will have a better chance of seeing the animals at their most active.
- Grab the daily schedule on arrival. Animal talks and Gruffalo Glade shows happen at set times throughout the day, and planning your route around them makes a big difference.
- Pack for all weathers. The zoo is largely outdoors, so waterproofs and sun cream are both worth having in the bag depending on the season.
- Book animal experiences in advance. Popular encounters like the giraffe feeding and tiger experience sell out quickly.
- Bring a change of clothes if you plan to visit the Wet ‘n’ Wild splash zone. Little ones will not hold back!
Getting There
Twycross Zoo is located in Atherstone, Warwickshire, right in the heart of England, making it an easy reach from the Midlands, East Midlands, and beyond. There is ample on-site parking available.
Our Verdict: Is Twycross Zoo Worth It for Families?
Absolutely, and then some. Twycross Zoo is one of those rare attractions that genuinely delivers for every age, from toddlers who will be wide-eyed in The Gruffalo Discovery Land to older children who will be completely blown away by the four great apes. It is a proper full-day out, with enough variety to keep even the most energetic little ones busy from morning until closing time.
The combination of world-class animals, immersive themed experiences, indoor and outdoor play, splash zones, and daily events makes Twycross Zoo one of the best family days out in the Midlands, full stop. And with new additions in 2026, including the bonobo outdoor space, the Zoo Plus soft play perk, and the zoo’s newest animal arrivals, there has never been a better time to visit.
Ready to get the family together for a day of whooshing, zooming, splashing and roaring? Check out everything Twycross Zoo has to offer and grab your tickets today to save 10% when you book online!