Animal Farms and Wildlife Parks

Get closer to the birds and animals at some of Yorkshire’s farms, wildlife centres and nature trails.

North Yorkshire

Beacon Alpacas, Husthwaite, near Thirsk, offer walks and experience days with these delightful creatures – taking an alpaca for a walk gives you the opportunity to get up close and learn more about the curious and friendly South American Camelid.

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park, Filey: Meet and feed lots of friendly animals – from giant rabbits to woolly alpacas, spotty pigs and miniature ponies. Visit the Worm-world and Mini-beast Mansion, get in touch with your senses, and dare to put your hands in the feely boxes, or take part in an exciting treasure hunt.

Studfold Explore, Discover and Learn Trail, Lofthouse, is a unique and exciting adventure nature trail with interactive fun for everyone in the heart of the beautifule Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With lots of seasonal events and activities, there’s always something new to discover. Perfect for primary school children.

The International Centre for Birds of Prey in Helmsley has the largest collection of birds of prey in the north of England. Housing birds from the tiny Burrowing Owl to the gigantic Steller’s Sea Eagle, there is lots to see for all ages. The birds are flown three times a day. This is a great time to take photographs. Situated next to the historic Duncombe Park house the site covers about 10 acres.

West Yorkshire

Copleys Corn Maize, Pontefract, has one of the largest corn maize mazes in Great Britain.  There’s lots more to do too, including children’s wagon rides, a bale mountain, and Farmer Copleys Farm Shop, where you can collect your own eggs from the hen house, visit their small family of pigmy goats, see the pigs, meet the farm dogs and the running ducks, plus see the cows.

At the National Coal Mining Museum, near Wakefield, find out how the former colliery spoil tips have been reclaimed by nature, by exploring their woodland nature trail and bird hides. The trail finishes at Hope Pit, where an innovative system of reed beds and settling ponds cleans the dirty water pumped from underground..

Tropical World, Leeds. Keep a look out for exotic animals between the waterfalls and jungle pools on your journey to discover snakes, spiders, meerkats, lemurs and many unusual tropical insects.

South Yorkshire

Heeley City Farm offers a relaxing slice of the countryside in the heart of Sheffield. Meet their friendly animals, play in the playground, enjoy some healthy vegan and vegetarian food in the Farm Kitchen and learn about how to save energy and live more sustainably.

Sheffield Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre is not just about butterflies… handle exotic species and feed marmoset monkeys too.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, is the place to take a walk on the wild side and meet farm and exotic animals from around the world. They’ll let you encounter farm animals, endangered African animals, meerkats and various species from the jungle. Watch out for the lions with Britain’s one and only on-foot safari with their latest addition, Lion Country. WATCH A VIDEO!

East Yorkshire

As well as enjoying the daily flying displays at the centre, you can also fly a bird of prey at Park Rose Bird of Prey Centre at Bridlington on one of their falconry courses. There’s also the newly added Meerkat mountain, Pig Heaven and Alpaca Enclosure as well as a number of goats, chickens and rabbits which you’re allowed to feed and handle.

Related Accommodation

The accommodation below is nearby - and has been updated recently.

Leave a Comment