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18 Isle Of Wight Zoos, Animal Attractions And Wildlife Parks (2024 Guide)
There's a good choice of animal related days out and zoos on the Isle of Wight, with plenty of free things to do as well as paid attractions such as Tapnell Farm Park, Monkey Haven and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
If you fancy staying somewhere with animals onsite then options include:
Anyway, here's our guide to 15 of the Isle of Wight's zoos and animal attractions. These things change all the time, so please contact us if you find a dead end.
If you fancy staying somewhere with animals onsite then options include:
- the Island Riding Centre is an equestrian centre near Newport with dog friendly cottages including Giddyup (sleeps 4) as well as accessible accommodation including Wild Horse Retreat (sleeps 5) and Hold Your Horses (sleeps 8).
- Nettlecombe Farm has alpaca, reindeer and Shetland ponies and offers farm feeding sessions for self-catering guests. Options include Wren (sleeps 3), Corner Cottage (sleeps 8) and Swallow (sleeps 10).
- Compton Farm is a working farm (cows, pigs) with camping and touring near to the Isle of Wight's South West coastline.
Anyway, here's our guide to 15 of the Isle of Wight's zoos and animal attractions. These things change all the time, so please contact us if you find a dead end.
The Island Riding Centre is a good choice if you want an animal-themed holiday
1. Wildheart Animal Sanctuary (formerly Isle of Wight zoo)
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary was previously Isle of Wight Zoo before a name change in 2021. Chris Packham is one of the trustees.
Prior to that, we called it Sandown Zoo and my mother always tells the story of the time that my young brother happily toddled up to a tiger cub being taken for a walk along the seafront. In the 1970s it was described by the Sunday Times as ‘The Slum Zoo of Britain’ but it's a very good attraction nowadays. It specialises in big cats, but when we visited there were also raccoons, wallabies, owls and farm animals. Thanks to car insurance adverts, there is also a meerkat encounter.
See our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions, which includes Wildheart Animal Sanctuary or the blog about our visit to the Sanctuary/Zoo.
Prior to that, we called it Sandown Zoo and my mother always tells the story of the time that my young brother happily toddled up to a tiger cub being taken for a walk along the seafront. In the 1970s it was described by the Sunday Times as ‘The Slum Zoo of Britain’ but it's a very good attraction nowadays. It specialises in big cats, but when we visited there were also raccoons, wallabies, owls and farm animals. Thanks to car insurance adverts, there is also a meerkat encounter.
See our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions, which includes Wildheart Animal Sanctuary or the blog about our visit to the Sanctuary/Zoo.
I may be a tiger, but I'm just lion down for a bit...
2. Tapnell Farm Park
Tapnell Farm Park appeared in 2016 and quickly became one our favourites. Many of the animals were adopted from Seaview Wildlife Encounter and Coleman's Farm (both of which closed back in 2015). There's a petting zoo with farm animals, as well as wallabies and meerkats. There's also an indoor play barn and a bouncy pillow for younger children, an adventure barn for junior school aged children and a classy cafe/restaurant (Cow Co).
Read the blog about one of our visits to Tapnell Farm.
Read the blog about one of our visits to Tapnell Farm.
Tapnell Farm Park is great fun and they have plenty of animal activities
3. Monkey Haven
Monkey Haven is an award-winning attraction with various primates include lemurs, gibbons and macaques as well as owls including tawny, snowy and teat (that last one is a joke). Presumably the need for an owl sanctuary is in part because of all the Harry Potter fans who decided they wanted their own Hedwig.
It's not massive but it gets terrific reviews, and we enjoyed our day out. As well as the animals, there's a play area for younger children and a tea room.
There are occasionally ways to save money on admission in our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions.
It won Best Small Attraction and Best Green Attraction at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022.
It's not massive but it gets terrific reviews, and we enjoyed our day out. As well as the animals, there's a play area for younger children and a tea room.
There are occasionally ways to save money on admission in our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions.
It won Best Small Attraction and Best Green Attraction at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022.
A busy schedule at Monkey Haven
4. AMAZON WORLD
Amazon World (PO36 0LX) has plenty to do, including a fair amount of indoor stuff. In case you're trying to complete an i-spy animals book, the highlights include monkeys, meerkats, otters, bats, ocelot, anteaters, sloths, lemurs, tortoises, lizards, snakes, turtles, parrots, toucans and fish (all subject to availability, of course).
They also advertise that they have cockroaches and ants but then again, so do some caravan parks. For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
There's a soft play area at the same site, but you pay separately for that.
They also advertise that they have cockroaches and ants but then again, so do some caravan parks. For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
There's a soft play area at the same site, but you pay separately for that.
5. Quarr Abbey (free)
Quarr Abbey is a working Benedictine monastery near to the Fishbourne ferry port that welcomes visitors of all ages. It has some pigs which you can feed with food purchased from the Abbey. There's a nice coffee shop which offers cream teas and they sometimes offer free tours of the grounds (check the events page, donations are welcome).
Parking is free as well - all in all, a great value outing. The current Abbey is early 20th century, but there is a ruin of the original 12th century monastery. There's also a nature trail through some woods, which leads to the Abbey. We managed it with an off-roader pushchair.
See our guide to other free days out on the Isle of Wight.
Parking is free as well - all in all, a great value outing. The current Abbey is early 20th century, but there is a ruin of the original 12th century monastery. There's also a nature trail through some woods, which leads to the Abbey. We managed it with an off-roader pushchair.
See our guide to other free days out on the Isle of Wight.
Quarr Abbey sounds like a headline in the Sun about Peter Crouch's wife
6. Search for a red squirrel (free)
The Isle of Wight is one of the few places in England where you can still see red squirrels. They are much shyer than grey squirrels making it much more of a challenge to spot one - they certainly won't approach you to steal a sandwich.
Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve and Borthwood Copse near Sandown seems to have been a successful spot for some people. Parkhurst Forest has got a 'hide' for visitors. The nearest postcode to the hide is PO30 5UL (read about our soggy visit to The Hide).
Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve and Borthwood Copse near Sandown seems to have been a successful spot for some people. Parkhurst Forest has got a 'hide' for visitors. The nearest postcode to the hide is PO30 5UL (read about our soggy visit to The Hide).
Google Map of Parkhurst Forest, which is a popular spot with red squirrels
I've also seen them at Ventnor Botanic Gardens and Robin Hill, though those both have an entrance fee. Brading Marshes, which is the RSPB's first reserve on the island, is another free place to try. WightSquirrels recommend a few other places, including The Garlic Farm in Newchurch and the Newport to Cowes cycle track.
7. THE ISLE OF WIGHT DONKEY SANCTUARY (FREE)
Free parking and free entry makes the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary a fantastic value day out. It's obviously a charity so they do appreciate visitors making a donation or adopting a donkey. You have to leave it there though - it turns out their understanding of adoption is different to mine.
The Donkey Sanctuary won 'best place for dogs' at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022.
The Donkey Sanctuary won 'best place for dogs' at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022.
These handsome chaps are free to visit at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Looking for Isle of Wight hotels? Try our guide
8. Carisbrooke Castle Donkeys
One of the highlights of Carisbrooke Castle is the deep well, which has a bucket which is pulled up by donkeys walking around a huge wheel.
All the donkeys have names beginning with J, apparently because it was the letter that King Charles I signed off his letters with whilst held captive at the Castle.
You can also see the donkeys in their field by walking around the dry moat at the castle (you don't need to go into the Castle to do this).
You can get in free with English Heritage membership. See our guide to discounts for Isle of Wight attractions.
All the donkeys have names beginning with J, apparently because it was the letter that King Charles I signed off his letters with whilst held captive at the Castle.
You can also see the donkeys in their field by walking around the dry moat at the castle (you don't need to go into the Castle to do this).
You can get in free with English Heritage membership. See our guide to discounts for Isle of Wight attractions.
Carisbrooke Castle is home to some well good donkeys
9. Butterfly World
If the thought of confronting a monkey or a lion at one of the Isle of Wight's other animal parks seems a bit much, then you might consider a trip to Butterfly World near Newport.
They have hundreds of butterflies and a wide range of Japanese Koi Carp, which gobble your hands. You can also watch butterflies emerging from their chrysalis (anyone know what the plural of chrysalis is? Chrysali?). It is indoors so it's a popular choice for a wet day.
Read the blog about our return to Butterfly World after a 33 year absence.
On a related note, there's a very rare butterfly called the Glanville Fritillary that lives in the wild on the Isle of Wight. If you know what that is, then you'll be very excited about the prospect of spotting one. Compton Bay's cliffs and Mottistone Estate are two popular spots for seeing them.
They have hundreds of butterflies and a wide range of Japanese Koi Carp, which gobble your hands. You can also watch butterflies emerging from their chrysalis (anyone know what the plural of chrysalis is? Chrysali?). It is indoors so it's a popular choice for a wet day.
Read the blog about our return to Butterfly World after a 33 year absence.
On a related note, there's a very rare butterfly called the Glanville Fritillary that lives in the wild on the Isle of Wight. If you know what that is, then you'll be very excited about the prospect of spotting one. Compton Bay's cliffs and Mottistone Estate are two popular spots for seeing them.
Dave, one of the butterflies at Butterfly World in Newport (I may have made up the name)
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You can fill a bit of time at the handling area which has various mini beasts
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10. Robin Hill Country Park
If you are only interested in the falconry at Robin Hill Country Park, then I would save yourself some money and go to Haven Falconry which is much cheaper (see #16).
However, if you are visiting Robin Hill anyway then it's worth spending a bit of time visiting the falconry centre which opened in 2022. They've had falconry shows for years, but you can now see up to 16 species in 28 aviaries.
Besides the falconry, Robin Hill also has peacocks and geese which roam the site. I learnt how to do a terrific impression of a peacock after working at Robin Hill for several summers - feel free to request a performance if you see me in the yoghurt aisle in Sainsburys.
For a long time, Robin Hill had carp that gobbled food from your hands, but I couldn't see them last time we visited.
Read the blog about one of our visits to Robin Hill.
However, if you are visiting Robin Hill anyway then it's worth spending a bit of time visiting the falconry centre which opened in 2022. They've had falconry shows for years, but you can now see up to 16 species in 28 aviaries.
Besides the falconry, Robin Hill also has peacocks and geese which roam the site. I learnt how to do a terrific impression of a peacock after working at Robin Hill for several summers - feel free to request a performance if you see me in the yoghurt aisle in Sainsburys.
For a long time, Robin Hill had carp that gobbled food from your hands, but I couldn't see them last time we visited.
Read the blog about one of our visits to Robin Hill.
11. Horses!
Riding a horse along the beach always looks great fun in slow motion on films, so presumably it is several times more fun in real time.
Options for getting into horse riding include Island Riding Centre, Newport, Sally's Riding School, Bembridge and Hill Farm Stables, Freshwater.
If you are staying at Nodes Point Holiday Park, then you can sign up with them for horse riding on one of the nearby beaches.
Options for getting into horse riding include Island Riding Centre, Newport, Sally's Riding School, Bembridge and Hill Farm Stables, Freshwater.
If you are staying at Nodes Point Holiday Park, then you can sign up with them for horse riding on one of the nearby beaches.
Be honest, have I got a big nose?
12. West Wight Alpacas
Have you ever wanted to trek Alpacas around the Isle of Wight? Perhaps not, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. West Wight Alpacas in Wellow also has a fancy farm café and shop and gets good reviews on TripAdvisor.
You can visit the farm for about £8 or you can take an Alpaca for a walk for about £23 (2022 prices).
You can visit the farm for about £8 or you can take an Alpaca for a walk for about £23 (2022 prices).
"It's going to be cold on this walk" "Don't worry, alpaca coat" (ha!)
13. Rockpooling (free)
Searching for crabs and other watery creatures is a great free day out. The general advice is to head over to Bembridge, where you’ll find a variety of crabs, anemones, sea snails and prawns. If all that fails, there's a nice pub in Bembridge which will do you a packet of prawn cocktail crisps.
Other locations include St Helen’s, Steephill Cove and Freshwater Bay (the hidden bit round to the right as you face the sea, rather than the stony bit). See our beach map if you're lost and remember to check that it's low tide first.
Read our blog about a rockpooling trip to Bembridge or our triumphs at Freshwater Bay.
Other locations include St Helen’s, Steephill Cove and Freshwater Bay (the hidden bit round to the right as you face the sea, rather than the stony bit). See our beach map if you're lost and remember to check that it's low tide first.
Read our blog about a rockpooling trip to Bembridge or our triumphs at Freshwater Bay.
We found this mammoth creature at Freshwater Bay
14. The Isle of Wight Reptilarium and Terrapin Sanctuary
Slimy creatures with forked tongues don't just occupying Mrs Thatcher's Cabinet (Ed: think you might need to update your satirical references). You can now see them at the Isle of Wight Reptilarium and Terrapin Sanctuary, which is a smallish attraction in Fort Victoria in Yarmouth. They've got a selection of snakes, chameleons, geckos and frogs. It costs about £6 for adults.
15. Isle of WIght Deer Farm
This working deer farm opened up to the public in 2019 and now offers tours on foot or by vehicle. It's in a pleasant spot near to Carisbrooke Castle that I've often admired on the walk past Carisbrooke Priory. Occasionally I lean on a gate on Nunnery Lane, admire the view and say things like "ahhh, this is nice" even though there's no-one else there.
When I checked, the vehicle tour was £15 per person and the walking tour was £14 for a family of four.
"Is that too dear?" I said to the wife.
"No, they've got more than 200", she replied.
I'm sorry.
When I checked, the vehicle tour was £15 per person and the walking tour was £14 for a family of four.
"Is that too dear?" I said to the wife.
"No, they've got more than 200", she replied.
I'm sorry.
16. Haven Falconry
Haven Falconry gets staggeringly good reviews of 5/5 on TripAdvisor. That makes it a better attraction than Disneyland Paris (4/5), The Colosseum in Rome (4.5/5) and Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro (4.5/5).
It's also a fair bit cheaper than Disneyland Paris at about a fiver, or less if you are also visiting the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
You can watch owls, hawks, falcons and vultures swooping around or pay a bit extra if you want to hold one.
It's also a fair bit cheaper than Disneyland Paris at about a fiver, or less if you are also visiting the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
You can watch owls, hawks, falcons and vultures swooping around or pay a bit extra if you want to hold one.
"What are you looking at?..."
17. White Tailed Eagle Spotting (free)
For a free (and probably fruitless) alternative to falconry, head for Culver Down in the East Wight.
There's just a small chance you'll see a White-Tailed Eagle swooping around the skies for its lunch with its massive two metre wingspan.
Six birds were reintroduced to Culver Down in 2019, a whole 239 years since the last one nested there.
Of course, you might just stare up at the sky for ages and not see anything. Please don't walk backwards with binoculars near the cliff edge.
There's just a small chance you'll see a White-Tailed Eagle swooping around the skies for its lunch with its massive two metre wingspan.
Six birds were reintroduced to Culver Down in 2019, a whole 239 years since the last one nested there.
Of course, you might just stare up at the sky for ages and not see anything. Please don't walk backwards with binoculars near the cliff edge.
Culver Haven is the white bit of cliff at the end of Yaverland beach
18. Isle of Wight Pet Centre (free)
There are various pet shops on the Isle of Wight but the Isle of Wight Pet Centre is worth a mention as it also has a café. It is on the outskirts of Newport (PO30 1XP).
We've found that this sort of thing makes for a cheap day out with very young children. Our children stuck to a strict nap schedule, which only left us with about 27 minutes to actually get out and about each day. Coughing up £30 for a family ticket to a proper zoo didn't really seem worth it.
The café has nice inland views and there are some birds and small creatures to look at in the pet shop.
We've found that this sort of thing makes for a cheap day out with very young children. Our children stuck to a strict nap schedule, which only left us with about 27 minutes to actually get out and about each day. Coughing up £30 for a family ticket to a proper zoo didn't really seem worth it.
The café has nice inland views and there are some birds and small creatures to look at in the pet shop.
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