Visit South Devon: Paignton Zoo
Last month, during our stay at Beverley Holidays, we were so excited to be invited to visit Paignton Zoo. Located in South Devon, Paignton Zoo is one of the South West’s most popular attractions and, with over 2500 animals across 80 acres, you’re guaranteed a fantastic day out!
Now ever since I became a Mummy I’ve felt very differently about the zoo (I swear I have turned into an emotional wreck!) and it is very important to me that the animals are all healthy and well cared for when we visit the zoo. I guess that’s why Paignton Zoo is up there amongst our favourites due to their passion for conservation, alongside the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust. Together they help co-ordinate breeding programmes for endangered species, collaborating with zoos across the world, exchanging animals to prevent inbreeding and ensuring that healthy genetic diversity is maintained. They also prioritise the care and well-being of their animals over monetary gain, and that sadly can’t be said for every attraction within the UK.
The zoo spans across a massive 80 acres and for that reason I would recommend that you plan your day according to the map so you aren’t walking back and forth from one end to the other, like we did! Thankfully there are lots of places to stop along the way, including the Island restaurant, ice cream kiosks, and play areas. It always makes me laugh when we go out for the day and the children go crazy for a playground, despite having one just metres from our house!
The girls favourite animals were by far the giraffes which you can view from both indoor and outdoor. I love that, although it’s always preferable to visit the zoo on a dry day, there are still plenty of indoor places to hide from the rain!
Harry told us his favourite animal was the elephants and I have to agree. We caught the elephant talk in the afternoon and it was so interesting to learn a little more about elephants, especially for the children who learned so much. I really recommend going to the Meet The Keeper and Feeding Talks, it’s a great way to plan your day too!
The girls loved that in certain parts of the zoo they were able to pet the animals. There is even a dedicated petting corner with goats, chickens, rabbits and other small animals.
Over in the Reptile House we met a ‘real life crocodile’ and the children were both terrified and mesmerised! A lovely member of staff was on hand to tell us all about the crocodile, answer all of the children’s questions, and showed such knowledge (and patience!) on the subject. In fact all of the staff at Paignton Zoo are a real credit to them.
I love that although Paignton Zoo has all of the usual animals you would expect to find there – lions, elephants, giraffes and monkeys – they also have a real mix of smaller animals, reptiles and amphibians that the children were so interested by.
I also love that all animals can be easily seen via various viewing platforms around the zoo. It may sound like an obvious feature but we have been to zoos in the past where we haven’t been able to see many of the animals at all! Seeing lions sleeping just yards from where we stood, or monkeys playfully tapping on the glass, is always a memorable experience.
There are also some lovely woodlands walks around the nature reserve where you can see a huge variety of birds and squirrels. The children loved exploring along the route and, on a very hot summers day, I imagine this lovely shaded walk would provide a short respite from the sun.
Paignton Zoo is open every day at 10am apart from Christmas Day, although closing times differ throughout the seasons. With a family ticket (two adults and two children) costing £60 I think it makes for a really affordable day out.
We had such a lovely day at the zoo together, seeing all of the animals, enjoying being outdoors, and most of all making memories. We definitely recommend it for a day out in South Devon and look forward to returning again the next time we are down that way.
** We were gifted tickets to Paignton Zoo in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions are my own. **
We haven’t taken our boys to the zoo yet, but I bet they will love it! It’s always so neat to see the animals up close. And also great when there are options for rainy-day activities there, too!
Devon is such a beautiful place isn’t it! I have to admit I’ve never visited Paignton Zoo, but it looks like it is a really interesting place to go and spend some time learning about animals.
We love a trip to the zoo and always seek them out when we go on holiday. Giraffes are my favourite, they are just so cute and lovely animals. x
We’ve never been to this zoo, but it seems like a fantastic place for children!
We love Paignton Zoo, it always feels like you have had a good workout too because of the hills LOL
I’ve got mixed opinions about zoos. We took our kids to one in Edinburgh a few years back and all the animals looked so sad and confined; like prisoners. Still, the kids had a great time.
Paignton Zoo is a delight for both adults and children alike. They have a wide range of animals in very spacious enclosures which are skillfully blended into the landscape.
How cute are these little girls with their braids! Adorable! However I too have mixed feelings about zoos and animals in captivity. Educating our kids about wild species is amazing but I’m not sure if a zoo is the best way to do that. I’m all in for that awesome ice cream though 😉
This looks like tons and tons of fun! The fact that you got to see giraffes makes my heart go pitter-patter!
Paignton Zoo looks amazing. So nice that you can see that the animals are well looked after. It looks like a wonderful day out for the family.
We love visiting zoos and must book a visit during the summer holidays. It will be baby’s first visit to the zoo!
You took some wonderful photos. Seeing them makes me feel like I am right there as well. We’ve never been to a zoo that has those types of animals and hope to someday.
This looks like a spectacular zoo. What a fun way to spend family time.
We love going to the zoo! So many beautiful animals. This one looks like a blast!
It looks like it was an amazing day at the zoo! I love taking my kids to out local zoo and seeing the animals. There is always so much to do and learn!
Oo a zoo we’ve not been to! My children are animal obsessed, so we must add this to our summer bucketlist 🙂
This looks like such a great zoo, the animals are awesome. My kids love the zoo, they ask to go at least once a week.
Love the girls rainbow dresses! We’ve visited Paignton Zoo before and had a great time. You photos are fab!
I haven’t been to the zoo in a very long time. It is something that I should do with the kids this fall when it is cooler outside. I don’t tolerate the heat very well unless I am in the pool. 🙂
My boys have not been to the zoo in a while. We are going next week and I can’t wait.
What a fun trip. It looks like you had a great time. Such beautiful photos…I definitely want to visit!
What a wonderful experience this must have been for the kids! We are planning a trip to Devon and will definitely incorporate a trip to Paignton Zoo when we head there.
I love your pics. You kids are so adorably cute. This looks like a great zoo to visit.
I absolutely love elephants and ostriches so I’ll definitely plan to visit the Paignton Zoo. This looks like a fun place and a good weekend getaway!
Thanks for sharing,
Rukh AZ.
What a greataway with family in the zoo. I can see everyone is having lots of fun. Love the girls colorful dresses, stand out from the green, just like two sweetest flowers.
Wow, that is such a wonderful place to see and visit with family. My kids love to see animals and learn from it and I am sure they will enjoy in this place once they visit it.
I love going to the zoo. There are some incredible ones here in Melbourne. I’ve found I actually prefer going to animal sanctuaries over zoos since moving to Australia. Whilst many of the zoos are open range, all of the sanctuaries are. It gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals if they feel comfortable around you. I got some awesome cuddles from two dingos at one of the sanctuaries. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life!
What a nice hangout! I’m pretty sure your kids they enjoy to see different kind of animals thanks for sharing!
What a great day out at the zoo. My favorite zoo is the Winnipeg Manitoba zoo, it was very affordable for years and is one of the largest. I still want to bring my kids there. So many great memories, thanks for sharing.
This looks like such a fun day out. I’ve always thought going to the zoo would make a really lovely date. You’re girls look so cute with their plates in the hair.
sounds like such a fun day out – I loved seeing all the animals and learning about them as a kid. so important to start teaching children young about conservation and all the different habitats and wildlife 🙂
What a fun zoo! I think my son would love this!
We haven’t been there but then again it is a long drive. We do love visiting zoo’s, safari parks and farms though in fact we are planning a trip to Monkey World (I love that place) and also Longleat as my children and partner have never been x
I’m right there with you about something changing in me regarding zoos and it being very important to me that the animals are treated ethically and kindly. I’m so glad that this zoo takes such good care of its residents 🙂
I agree, crocs are terryifying and mesmerizing. YOu know they are aware of all you are doing though they seem like they could literally care less.
Looks like you guys had a great time. I cannot believe the Paignton Zoo has over 2500 animals. I would like to visit someday!!
Looks like you guys had a great time. I cannot believe the Paignton Zoo has over 2500 animals. I would like to visit someday!
My hubby and I enjoyed a visit to Paignton Zoo before we had our son and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We haven’t returned with our son but I’m sure he’d love it. Glad you enjoyed your day there!
Oh what a lovely day out! The kids look like they had a whale of a time – the giraffes and elephants would be my favourites too. Paignton sounds brilliant, will have to keep it in mind when we’re down south.
What a beautiful looking zoo. The animals look so close and pretty.
We are actually holidaying near here at the end of July! We shall definitely be visiting x
Looks like it was a pretty fun and amazing day. I really love our zoo out here too because they are really big on conservation and helping to support animals in the wild. But if I had been at the zoo with my daughter she would have insisted on seeing the monkeys, as she always does.
This looks like a fab place to go with the family, great post!
They look so adorable and happy. Sounds like you guys had quite the fun during your visit at the zoo.
It’s a shame that this is so far away from me, because it looks absolutely amazing.
Looks like such a fun trip!! Your kids are so cute with ice-cream in their hands haha.
What a sweet outing! I just love their adorable matching dresses!
Such adorable photos! We love family visits to the zoo and Paignton sounds lovely.
I love going to the zoo as well. Looking at animals and seeing that they are well cared and happy it’s important. My favorite Zoo till now is the one from Vienna. But I have to say that I haven’t been to many. I love how this one looks from your photos. seems to be well taken care of.
I haven’t taken my little one to zoo yet… I wanna take her once I am back from our vacation… your kids soo cute in the pictures ???
The meerkats are just incredible! I am not the biggest fan of zoo in general, but I am glad that you had a great time. Your kids are the cutest!
the Meerkats are always my favourite when we go to our local wildlife centre, you’ve taken some brilliant photos! x
It looks like you and your family had such a fun day at the zoo! I love all the animals they have there! Sounds like a great zoo to visit!
Paignton Zoo looks like a great place for the kids to visit! And it looks like they are taking great care of the animals there.
First the images are amazing and loving the visuals i felt like i got the energy of the visit. I think Paignton Zoo would be a fun family event!
As always such gorgeous photos and good to hear this is a large and spacious zoo and all the animals look really healthy
Laura x
What a great zoo! Loved looking at your pictures! We love going to the zoo!
Great article I have read your post ti’s nicely written by you and images are also looking very great. Thanks a lot to share. The holiday is the best things to spend time with family and enjoy happy moments.
Wow! What a blog, you are sharing an amazing experience of a zoo with your kids through this post. Very effective post with best images thanks a lot to share.