Newquay Zoo in Cornwall

Newquay Zoo is a top tourist attraction in Newquay, with over 130 species of small and large birds, amphibians and lovely fluffy bunnies!

The zoo is set in sub-tropical lakeside gardens. There are lots of exhibits to see, such as an open rainforest exhibit, an oriental garden and a Madagascan walk-through exhibit.

Cafe

There's also an on-site cafe which overlooks Lemur Island and the main lake, selling hot pasties, snacks, sandwiches, cakes and drinks. Newquay Zoo try to source ingredients locally and aim for 70% of their products and produce to be Cornish-grown and produced.

There are Fair Trade products and local seasonal products.

Zoo BarBQ

During the summer months there's a Barbecue, where you can get a hot dog, burger, steak, chips, barbecue specials and drinks.

Snack Bar & Ice Cream Kiosks

Within the zoo there's a snack bar offering light lunches, ice cream and drinks. There are also two ice-cream kiosks during the summer season.

With so many animals, it's difficult to know where to start the list, but as an outline, Newquay Zoo have:

• African Lions
• Zebras
• Hoffman's Sloths
• Pied Tamarins
• Bali Starlings
• Fossa
• Siberian Lynx
• Wildebeest
• Ostrich
  

..... and I could go on!

The whole world seems to love a meercat these days - and you'll see meercats at Newquay Zoo.

One of my favourites is a prairie dog, they're such cute looking fluffy things!

With so many animals to see, I'm sure you'll come away with your firm favourites decided!

As if the animals weren't enough, there's also:

• A Tarzan trail
• Children's play area
• Animal encounters/petting zoo
• Face painting
• Regularly changing special kids' events
  

Be A Zoo Keeper For a Day

If you've got a special birthday coming up, then why not opt for an unusual Gift Experience - you can be a zoo keeper for a day.

For just £85 for the whole day (10:45am-4.45pm).  Minimum age is 15.  You'll be feeding the animals, meeting the meercats, feeding the lions and feeding the penguins.  Cost includes lunch, a T shirt and a Certificate.  You'll also come away with photographs and information about the animals you've met, a free year's subscription to the Paws Newsletter, a guidebook, a zoo keeper's badge and some amazing memories.

Newquay Zoo have always got a few African lions to see.  The video to the right shows two current African Lions, Charlie and Connie, who had a special treat when two pinatas were placed in their enclosure.  Watch the video to see what happened!

At night, at this end of town, you can hear the lions roaring - sometimes they sound just a bit too close!

There are usually lots of baby animals to see, at the time of writing the new arrivals include baby Black wildebeest, Philippine spotted deer, Capybara, Meerkats, Fishing cats, Ring-tailed lemur, Macaques and three very cute and wonderful Warty pig piglets.

Obviously these will all be growing up shortly, but there's never a shortage of new arrivals to see.

Baby Wildebeest

In July 2010 a lovely little baby wildebeest was born at Newquay Zoo, see him in the short clip to the right, When he's finished growing up he'll be about 4' high but weigh a staggering 400 lbs/180Kg.

Newquay Zoo is involved in a captive breeding programme and conservation work and they have a family of Sulawesi Crested Black Macaques at the Zoo - as well as a web-cam you can watch on their website.

Newquay Zoo are currently involved in eight separate conservation programmes, including rare Pangolinis and Red-Fronted Macaws.

This endangered animal arrived from Chester Zoo to join quite a family of macaques already in residence.

Watch the short clip of him gobbling up lots of luscious green leaves in the video to the right.

You'll find a lot of endangered animals at Newquay Zoo, brought here through their work in conservation and preservation.

The Centre of Applied Zoology operates from Newquay Zoo.  This is part of Cornwall College, offering a variety of zoo and animal-based studies at foundation degree level and BTEC National Diploma Level.

If you are planning a visit for one specific animal, then check the Newquay Zoo website to ensure the animal is still at the zoo.

Animals do come and go, for a variety of reasons.

Newquay Zoo shares a large site with the tennis club, the swimming pool and public gardens - along with a huge car park, right where the large viaduct crosses over Edgcumbe Avenue. There's plenty of on-road signage to show you the way.

The car park isn't free, it's pay and display.

Opening Hours: 1st April - 30 September, 9.30am-6pm, with last entry at 5pm. 1 October - 31 March, 10am-5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

Admission Prices (2016):

• Adult £13.60,
• Child (3-15) £10.20,
• Child under 3 FREE,
• Seniors/Students £11.55.
• Family Ticket (2+2) £42.60.

There is a discount for anybody disabled. Each of these prices includes a 10% donation towards the charity, which you may choose to not pay without it affecting your entry or access.

Address: Newquay Zoo, Edgcumbe Avenue, Newquay, Cornwall, UK,

Website: http://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/

StuartKMarsh: Prairie Dog | Monkeys | Tortoise | Zebra

MadNZany: Penguins | Black Pig