Often referred to as the Cotswolds zoo, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a popular destination for families, animal lovers, and regular visitors.
Located at Bradwell Grove, this park offers a range of attractions for all ages. Visitors can explore stunning gardens, watch animals in natural habitats, and even feed penguins or meet the lemurs.
In this blog post, we aim to provide you with an overview of the park’s main features, including animal enclosures, gardens, gift shops, adventure playgrounds, and more – so you can get planning your trip!
Why visit Cotswold Wildlife Park?
The animals at Cotswolds Wildlife Park are set against a breathtaking backdrop of stunning gardens and themed borders. The park covers over 160 acres, giving visitors plenty of space to relax and get up close to wildlife. With over 260 different species of animals on display, there is something for everyone.
Kids of all ages will love the adventure playground in the woods, complete with interconnecting treehouses, rope bridges, and slides. A visit to the Children’s Farmyard is a must-do, where children can pet goats and watch daily penguin feeding and talks at 11am and 3pm. Don’t forget to experience the lemur feed and talk at 12 noon in their walk-through enclosure.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park boasts one of the largest reptile collections in the UK, featuring a range of exciting species such as crocodiles, lizards, frogs, and snakes. The park’s indoor exhibits include the Insect House, Bat House, Little Africa, and Tropical House, where visitors can observe free-roaming sloths, bats, and birds.
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During the warmer months, the tree ferns around the train station create the feel of a rainforest, while the Old Walled Garden’s arid beds feature cacti and succulents that evoke the natural habitat of meerkats.
The rhino paddock is surrounded by swathes of ornamental grasses and perennials, while traditional herbaceous borders, spectacular specimen trees, and spacious lawns surround the manor house. The gardens look beautiful throughout the year with Winter gardens, thousands of spring bulbs, and seasonal displays.
Grab a bite to eat
Visitors can enjoy lunch in the licensed cafe, which serves hot food, or grab a snack from one of the kiosks. Alternatively, they can bring a picnic to enjoy in the park’s spacious grounds. Car parking is free, and visitors can access their cars at any point during their visit.
Accessibility friendly
Cotswolds Wildlife Park is 99% wheelchair and pushchair friendly, with disabled access to the train. There are disabled toilets located around the park, and a Changing Places toilet near the gift shop, opposite the disabled car parking.
The park offers plenty of disabled parking spots, and visitors can even hire wheelchairs for free (must reserve in advance, deposit required) or mobility scooters for a fee (booking essential).
Exhibits and attractions at Cotswold Wildlife Park
One of the most exciting things about Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is its wide range of animal exhibits. Visitors can watch large mammals such as rhinos grazing in their paddocks or get up close to some of the smaller creatures in the insect house.
The reptile house
The reptile house at Cotswold Wildlife Park is a must-visit for anyone interested in these fascinating creatures.
The park’s reptile house boasts one of the largest reptile collections in the UK, featuring a wide range of species, including lizards, frogs and snakes like green anaconda.
What else to expect
The park also has a bat house, tropical house, and a Madagascar exhibit, which provides visitors with a unique experience. Free-roaming animals such as sloths and goats create a perfect opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat, while the lemur feeding talk and penguin feeding sessions offer an eye-to-eye perspective.
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The kids’ farmyard is one of the park’s most popular attractions, and it’s easy to see why. Children can pet goats, watch chickens and interact with other popular animals.
The adventure playground provides a great day out for children of all ages, with plenty of activities to keep them entertained. Parents with young children will find the park pushchair friendly, with spacious lawns, and an excellent picnic area.
The gardens
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is not only about the animals, but it also has some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Visitors can explore the walled garden, which contains a wide range of plants and flowers, including rare species.
The Oak Tree restaurant provides a great place to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the stunning backdrop of the gardens. The park is dog-friendly, and dogs are welcome on leads throughout the site.
The Manor House
The park’s manor house is another popular attraction, as it provides visitors with a glimpse into the history of the estate. The house dates back to the 17th century and offers an insight into the life of the family that lived there. The house also has a gift shop, which sells a range of souvenirs, toys, and other gifts.
Grab a souvenir
The gift shop at Cotswold Wildlife Park offers visitors a fantastic selection of souvenirs, toys, and gifts. After spending a fun-filled day exploring the park’s attractions, visitors can take a piece of the experience home with them.
The shop sells a range of wildlife-related items, such as animal soft toys, books, and clothing. Visitors can also find stationery, postcards, and other unique gifts to remember their trip. By purchasing from the gift shop, visitors can support the park’s important work in animal conservation.
The friendly staff are always on hand to help visitors find the perfect memento to take home from their visit.
Getting There and Parking
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is easily accessible by car and sat nav. The park provides ample car parking facilities for visitors. There are also disabled parking options available for those who need it.
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Regular visitors can purchase a season ticket, which allows them access to the park throughout the year. It’s worth noting that visitors can book e-tickets in advance to avoid queuing. Once you arrive, you will find toilet facilities and blocks located throughout the site, which makes it easy to access them when needed.
For SAT NAV ONLY use the postcode OX18 4JJ which will take you to the main entrance.
Ready to plan your trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park?
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a great day out for families, animal lovers, and regular visitors. The park offers something for everyone, whether it’s watching free-roaming animals, exploring the gardens, or visiting the animal enclosures.
The adventure playgrounds and farmyard offer a great day out for kids, while the manor house and gardens provide a more relaxed atmosphere. The park provides ample car parking facilities, disabled parking, and e-ticket booking options.
Visitors can also book tickets online in advance to save time queuing and ensure entrance to the park, especially during peak season. Overall, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a site worth visiting, weather permitting.
Don’t forget, the park is also dog friendly, as long as dogs are kept on a lead and cleaned up after. Dogs may not be taken indoors or into the Bat Belfry, Reptile House, Children’s Farmyard or any areas with free-ranging animals. They are also not permitted in the shop or restaurant.
Looking for more fun things to do in the Cotswolds?
There is so much to do in the Cotswolds, with many dog friendly activities, walks and dog friendly accommodation available.
Take a look at our ‘What’s On’ page for more information and the latest events, and start your search for somewhere to stay during your trip!
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