Animal days out in Warwickshire
Warwickshire has a rich and varied offer when it comes to getting close to animals - from world-class conservation zoos and hands-on farm experiences to birds of prey, tropical butterflies and alpaca walks through the Warwickshire countryside.
Twycross Zoo
Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX
The only zoo in the UK, and one of only four worldwide, where visitors can see all four species of great ape - gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee and bonobo - in one place. Twycross is a registered conservation charity and one of the most significant primate collections in Europe, caring for around 500 animals across almost 100 species. As well as the great apes, the zoo is home to snow leopards, Asian elephants, Amur leopards, giraffes, meerkats, penguins and a walk-through lemur enclosure. Behind-the-scenes experiences including giraffe feeding and a Junior Keeper day are bookable in advance. Open daily except Christmas Day. Check twycrosszoo.org for seasonal opening times.
Hatton Adventure World
Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwick, CV35 8XA
A hands-on farm and animal experience set in the Warwickshire countryside near Warwick. Hatton Adventure World packs a variety of animal encounters into one site - the Guinea Pig Village for small animal handling, the Scales and Tails area for reptiles, snakes, spiders and an axolotl, and farmyard paddocks with pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, sheep and llamas. Interactive feeding sessions, a tractor safari and bookable animal handling experiences make this a full half-day or more. Open daily - book online in advance.
Arden Falconry
Hatton Country World, Dark Lane, Warwick, CV35 8XA
To feel a bird of prey land on your gloved hand is one of those experiences that stays with you. Arden Falconry, based at Hatton Country World, works with a wide and impressive range of birds - Harris Hawks, Kestrels, Barn Owls, Snowy Owls, Peregrine Falcons and the magnificent European Eagle Owl among them. The half-day course takes approximately three hours, moving from an introduction to the birds and their conservation through to free-flying in the display arena. An indoor flying arena means sessions run year-round whatever the Warwickshire weather decides to do.
Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm
Dexter Lane, Hurley, Atherstone, CV9 2JQ
There is something irresistibly cheerful about spending a morning with alpacas. Lucky Tails is an award-winning small farm in the north Warwickshire countryside where you can harness your own alpaca and head out for a leisurely walk through the farmland, or step inside the meerkat enclosure with handlers for a close-up, hands-on encounter with one of the most entertaining creatures you'll ever meet. The combined alpaca and meerkat experience runs for around three hours and is the most popular booking, and for good reason. A café shack is on site. Pre-booking essential - sessions sell out quickly, particularly at weekends and school holidays.
Stratford Butterfly Farm
Swan's Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7LS
The largest tropical butterfly paradise in the UK and one of Stratford-upon-Avon's most distinctive attractions. Set within a series of tropical greenhouses the farm takes visitors through four areas: the Flight Area, home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies in a rainforest environment of waterfalls, fish-filled pools and tropical blossom; the Discovery Zone, where butterflies can be seen hatching from their pupae; Minibeast Metropolis, housing stick insects, axolotls, frogs, snakes, leafcutter ants and some of the world's largest spiders; and the Rainforest Realm, featuring Sumatran pit vipers, a rhinoceros rat snake and a spectacled caiman in its own cenote. Pre-booking is recommended during school holidays and busy weekends.
Falconry Days Heart of England
Leicester Lane, Leamington Spa, CV32 6QZ
A hawking experience based in the Warwickshire countryside, offering small groups the opportunity to work with trained Harris Hawks across approximately 1,000 acres of working countryside. Unlike a static falconry centre, Falconry Days takes participants out into the landscape - working the birds through hedgerows, fields and woodland in the way Harris Hawks would naturally hunt. Courses and assessment sessions are also available for those considering taking up falconry. Check the website for current experience availability and booking.
Hoar Park Farm
Ansley, Nuneaton, CV10 0QU (on the B4114)
A relaxed, unpretentious and genuinely lovely children's farm in the north Warwickshire countryside. At Hoar Park you can meet and feed goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, ponies, donkeys, poultry and even reptiles, with plenty of hands-on petting that makes it particularly well suited to younger visitors. The farm sits within a wider rural complex with a craft village, tearooms and scenic walks, making it easy to turn a quick visit into a full afternoon. Affordable, friendly and refreshingly focused on what matters - the animals.
Joseph’s Amazing Camels
Idlicote, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5DN
Enjoy a truly unique camel ride experience set in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, home to the UK’s largest herd of camels. Get up close with these remarkable animals through guided camel rides for individuals or bespoke group experiences. Camel hire is available for a wide range of occasions, bringing an unforgettable touch to film and TV productions, Christmas events, and special celebrations. Joseph’s Amazing Camels offer a memorable, one‑of‑a‑kind experience for visitors of all ages.
Ash End House Farm, Middleton
Tamworth, B78 2BL
Ash End House Children’s Farm offers memorable, hands-on animal experiences for all ages in a friendly, family‑run setting. Visitors can feed and meet traditional farm animals, stroke baby chicks and bunnies, collect eggs, enjoy pony and Shire horse encounters, and watch daily birds‑of‑prey displays. With many animal areas undercover, it’s an ideal year‑round attraction for getting up close to animals in a safe, welcoming environment.
Middle England Farm
Ullenhall, Henley-in-Arden, B95 5NY
Walk alongside alpacas through the rolling Warwickshire countryside at Middle England Farm, an award-winning family farm set in tranquil countryside near Stratford-upon-Avon. As well as its much-loved alpaca walking experiences, the farm is home to pygmy goats, rare breed sheep, rare breed pigs, rabbits, and much more - with conservation of rare British breeds at the heart of everything they do. Alongside the walking experiences, visitors can enjoy goat and sheep encounters, a Giant Bunny Experience and Guinea World. A genuinely special day out for all ages.
Nature reserves
Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, the headquarters of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, and RSPB Middleton Lakes are two of Warwickshire’s largest and best-loved locations for experiencing wildlife in a natural setting. For a wider choice of places to explore, visitors can discover more in our article on the full range of Warwickshire Nature Reserves.
Beyond observing wildlife, visitors are encouraged to get involved. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust offers a varied programme of events including guided nature walks, Peregrine Watch LIVE sessions in Leamington Spa, Junior Rangers conservation activities, Nature Tots at Brandon Marsh, and hands-on volunteering and wellbeing walks that directly support local wildlife and habitats.
At RSPB reserves, visitors can take part in guided walks, wildlife watching sessions, family discovery days and volunteering opportunities, all helping to protect birds and the habitats they depend on.
Make a day (or two) of it
Planning a day out around animals? We've done the hard work for you - see our Wild Warwickshire itinerary for a two-day route through the county's best animal encounters.