Cornwall LivingIssue #121
Animal crackers
Take a walk on the wild side with a visit to Newquay Zoo.
With 13 acres of lush sub-tropical gardens to explore and hundreds of animals waiting to be discovered, May is the perfect time to visit Newquay Zoo. You’ll find all of your favourite species, from red pandas to penguins and lemurs to lynx. Newquay is also home to several rare and unusual animals, such as Visayan warty pigs, Owston’s civets and
nyala antelopes.
With accessible paths and facilities, it’s easy to travel from the open plains of the African savannah to the tranquil gardens of Japan and South America’s tropical forests in just one day. You can get up close to some of the wonders of the animal world, meet free-flying birds in ‘Gems of the Jungle’, encounter endangered and unusual creatures in the Wildlife at Night exhibition and investigate all manner of reptiles and amphibians in the Tropical House.
There are also multiple outdoor play areas, including climbing frames, swings and slides, for children young and old to let off steam.
When planning your trip, look out for special events and activities. On Sunday May 22nd there will be a live storytelling event with Ellie Jackson from Wild Tribe Heroes. Plus, there are multiple animal talks taking place each day, where you’ll be able learn about animal behaviours, diets and how the animals are looked after, along with some surprising facts along the way! To make the most of your day, make sure to check out the fresh, local and ethically sourced food and drinks available on site. At Café Lemur, you’ll find a delicious range of lunch options, from pizzas and burgers to salads and mezze boxes to eat in or takeaway. You can also grab food on the go at the Lazy Lion Grill, and no visit to the zoo would be complete without a refreshing ice-lolly or ice cream, which you can pick up at Meerkat Munchies.
At the end of your journey, don’t forget to take a look around the gift shop, which is stocked full of unique eco-friendly gifts, toys and souvenirs.
Newquay Zoo
