Few attractions in Torbay can fill a whole day quite as easily as Paignton Zoo. One of the country’s oldest and most respected wildlife conservation parks, it spreads across 80 acres of beautiful botanical gardens right on the edge of Paignton, and is home to thousands of animals from every corner of the globe. Whether you are travelling with toddlers, teenagers or grandparents, a day at the zoo is a guaranteed highlight of a family holiday on the English Riviera. Here is everything you need to know to plan a great visit.
A zoo and a botanical garden in one
What sets Paignton Zoo apart from many others is that it is also a registered botanical garden. The animal enclosures are woven through mature woodland, lakes and themed planting, so even the walk between exhibits is a pleasure. The park is arranged into habitat zones — including savannah, wetland, tropical forest and desert — which group animals and plants from similar environments together and help to tell the wider story of conservation. The result feels less like a traditional zoo of cages and more like a journey through the world’s great landscapes.
The animals you can meet
Paignton Zoo is home to an enormous variety of species. Among the favourites are the lions and the herd of giraffes out on the savannah, the playful and intelligent orang-utans and gibbons, rhinos, zebras, crocodiles, giant tortoises and a vast walk-through aviary alive with colourful birds. The reptile and amphibian houses are a hit with children, and there is a real focus throughout on the zoo’s serious conservation work, breeding programmes and the protection of endangered species. Keeper talks and feeding sessions run throughout the day, and timing your route around a few of these adds real interest — check the day’s schedule when you arrive.
Fun for younger children
Beyond the animals, there is plenty laid on for little ones. A miniature railway carries passengers around part of the park, the Jungle Express, and there is a large, well-designed adventure playground where children can let off steam. The Crocodile Swamp and the various indoor animal houses give welcome shelter and shade, and there are plenty of grassy spots for a picnic. The pace is entirely your own — you can race around ticking off favourites or amble slowly and linger wherever takes your fancy.
Planning your day
To make the most of a visit, arrive reasonably early, especially in the school holidays, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler part of the day and you will have more of the park to yourself. Wear comfortable shoes — the grounds are large and there are some gentle hills — and bring sun cream and water in summer, or waterproofs if rain threatens, as much of the park is outdoors. You can easily spend a full day here, so consider buying a picnic to bring with you, or use the on-site cafes and kiosks.
It is well worth booking tickets online in advance, which usually saves money and avoids queues at the gate. Many visitors also find that a day ticket can be converted into an annual pass — useful to ask about if you are staying for a longer holiday or visit the area often.
Getting there from Paignton
One of the great advantages of staying in Paignton is how close the zoo is. It sits on the edge of town, just a short drive or bus ride from the seafront, so it is easy to fit in even on a day when you also want some beach time. If you are staying nearby you can be at the gates within minutes. There is parking on site, and local buses serve the zoo from the town centre, so you can leave the car behind if you prefer.
A great rainy-day option
While the zoo is at its best in fine weather, it is also a sensible choice when the forecast is mixed. There are several large indoor houses — reptiles, primates, the tropical environments — where you can shelter and still enjoy the animals, and a wet day often means fewer crowds. Pack waterproofs and wellies and you will find the animals as fascinating as ever.
Conservation at the heart of it
It is worth knowing that Paignton Zoo is run by a conservation charity, and your visit directly supports its work protecting endangered species and habitats both in the UK and around the world. Throughout the park you will find information about breeding programmes, field projects and the challenges facing wildlife globally. For older children especially, this turns a fun day out into a genuinely educational one, sparking conversations about the natural world that last well beyond the holiday.
Keeper talks and feeding times
One of the best ways to bring a zoo visit to life is to time your day around the keeper talks and feeding sessions, which run throughout the day at different enclosures. These are a wonderful chance to see the animals at their most active, to learn about their behaviour and the zoo’s conservation work, and to ask the knowledgeable keepers your questions. Pick up a copy of the day’s schedule when you arrive and plan a loose route that lets you catch two or three of the talks — it adds real depth to the day and is especially engaging for children, who love seeing a big cat or a primate being fed and hearing the stories behind each animal.
Food, picnics and facilities
You can easily spend a full day at Paignton Zoo, so it pays to think about food. There are cafes and kiosks on site serving hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks, but many families prefer to bring a picnic and make use of the grassy spots and picnic areas dotted around the grounds. There are baby-changing and accessible facilities, and pushchairs can be hired if needed. Wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair amount of walking and some gentle hills, and bring sun cream and water in summer or waterproofs if showers are forecast, since much of the park is in the open air.
Combining the zoo with the rest of your day
Because the zoo is so close to the seafront, it slots neatly into a wider holiday. Families often spend the morning among the animals, when they are at their liveliest, and the afternoon back on the beach, or break the visit with a picnic and a play on the adventure playground. With an annual pass — well worth asking about if you visit the area often — you can come and go across several days rather than trying to see everything at once, which suits younger children especially well.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need at Paignton Zoo? Allow a full day to do it justice, though you can see the highlights in a half-day if time is short.
Is it good in the rain? Yes — there are several large indoor animal houses, and wet days are usually quieter. Bring waterproofs and wellies.
How do I get there from the seafront? The zoo is on the edge of town, a short drive or bus ride from the Paignton seafront, with parking on site.
Should I book tickets in advance? Booking online ahead of your visit usually saves money and avoids queues at the gate.
Make a day of it
A trip to Paignton Zoo pairs beautifully with the rest of a Torbay holiday. You might spend the morning among the animals and the afternoon back on the beach, or combine it with other attractions in the area over the course of your stay. Because everything in Paignton is so close together, you never have to travel far between one adventure and the next. For more day-out ideas, see our guide to the area.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
With Paignton Zoo just minutes away and the beach right on the doorstep, Cranmore Lodge is the ideal base for a family holiday on the English Riviera. View our apartments or check availability and book online.
To plan your visit, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.