Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo has been providing the exciting opportunity to get close to wildlife for over 50 years and has achieved well-respected status as one of Britain's major zoos, attracting half a million visitors each year.

Animals come in all shapes and sizes, from leopards to lemurs, parrots to prairie dogs and tortoises to tarantulas. Twycross Zoo cares for around 500 animals of almost 150 species of bigger animals, including many endangered species, plus hundreds of creepy crawlies too.

Renowned as a specialist primate zoo, we care for a wide variety of monkeys and apes, and are the only zoo in the UK where you can see all types of great ape – gorilla, orang utan, chimpanzee and bonobo (you should be able to spot some humans too!). There’s plenty to see, from favourites including meerkats and penguins, to the Amur leopard, the world’s rarest big cat.

Many of our animals are part of Conservation Breeding Programmes which help ensure a future for species on the brink of extinction.

Primates

Twycross Zoo has on of the most diverse primate collection in the Western world, including several endangered species and the UK’s only group of bonobos.

Education

Twycross Zoo’s award winning Education Department offers a variety of discovery opportunities for many different types of groups and parties. Amongst others, the Zoo holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, all sessions are curriculum linked and all are designed to best engage all age groups.

Session Examples:

A World of Colour (EYFS)

A gentle introduction to the ways animals use colours and camouflage in the wild through unique and interactive animal based arts and craft activities.

Saving the Natural World (KS1)

Discover why animals are endangered from the threats of habitat destruction.

Camouflaging Animals (KS2)

Explore why colour is important in the animal world and how animals use colour and pattern in their everyday lives.

Animal Communication (KS3)

Discover the mysterious world of animal communication through sight, smell, sound and touch.

Evolution and Selection (KS4)

Biodiversity and conservation (KS5)

Sessions for SEN Students

Twycross Zoo provides a unique learning experience for your pupils. The sessions we provide can be specially tailored to yourselves to be suitable for all levels of special needs. Our sessions are interactive and exciting with stimulation for their senses.

Our sessions will normally last for around 30-45 minutes and can be delivered on a variety of topics, those highlighted in the box below have been especially popular before. During this time the children will get to experience some of the natural world close-up by meeting some of our animal educators!

Pre-Visits

Our site is very accessible and we offer free pre-visits to teachers to make it easy to become familiar with the site and prepare risk assessments. Call or email on the contact details below to arrange a pre-visit.