Animal attractions

The South East has a good selection of internationally renowned animal attractions. From farms to safari parks, these give visitors the opportunity to get up close and find out more about a wide variety of creatures. Some are well known for a particular type of animal, whilst others present a selection of creatures to enjoy.

Specialist selection

As it's name suggests, Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, set in 65 acres of woodland in Dorset, features 15 different species of primate. In fact the centre holds the largest collection of chimpanzees outside Africa, many of which have been rescued from a variety of European and Far Eastern countries where they were being abused. Group visitors can learn more about the rescue work of the centre on a guided tour as well, as meeting some of the 150 residents! Other facilities include a cafe, shop, climbing area and woodland walk.

Focussing on our indigenous wildlife, the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park at Ashurst, near Southampton, houses Europe's largest such collection. As well as otters and owls, visitors can also see badgers, red foxes, harvest mice, ferrets, red deer, wild boar and lynx. Special packages are available for groups that range from a short stop to a full visit with cream tea.

Indigenous birds feature among the species on view at Birdworld, near Farnham in Hampshire. One of the most popular features amongst the venue's 26 acres is the twice daily penguin feeding, though you can also accompany one of the keepers on their daily feeding round to feed theBirds of Prey. Other tours include the Safari Ride where group visitors can see some of the larger birds including cranes, emus, ostriches and vultures. In addition to the birds, groups can also see the young alligator swamp and marine tanks with aquatic life of the Tropics.

There is more underwater life to be seen at two other venues in the region. The Blue Reef Aquarium, near Portsmouth, launched several group packages in 2006 including a special guided tour looking at underwater fauna, a guided cream tea tour, a Shark Workshop and a tour put together especially for mystery tours. The venue also offers Christmas themed packages for groups and will open in the evening. A range of aquatic life from sharks to rays, as well as crabs and shell fish found along the sea shore, are on view. Similarly, Underwater World in Hastings has a low-level open tank with creatures found on the shoreline, as well as large tank with rays and a range of flat fish that camouflage themselves on the seabed. Other sections include the Underwater Theatre which has two shows; one telling the 600 year story of the fishing industry in Hastings, while the other provides an insight into some of the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit the world's oceans, as well as those that can be seen at Underwater World. The venue maintains the local link in the Underwater Walk where groups can see sharks, rays and other creatures swimming around a recreation of a real reef which is just to the west of Hastings Pier.

All round animal fun

If it's larger animals that your group would like to see, then Longleat in Wiltshire might make a good choice. Famous for being the UK's first safari park, groups can still drive through enclosures of lions tigers, rhino, giraffe and the ever popular monkeys. However, there's much more to see and do at Longleat including two mazes, Safari Boats, the Butterfly Garden, Pets Corner and the Longleat Railway, as well as the magnificent Elizabethan Longleat House.

Dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester, features over 200 rare and endangered animals including tigers, snow leopards, rhino, meerkats, antelope, hippo, giraffes, monkeys and zebras. Highlights include Roof of the World, Into Africa and Heart of Africa, The World of Lemurs, Tropical World, Penguin World, Desert Carnivores and Aridlands. Keeper Encounters are a daily feature and animal talks take place during holidays and weekends. Groups can pre-book a guide to accompany them on their visit.

Conservation is also a major theme at Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury and sister attraction Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Gardens, near Folkestone. Founded by John Aspinall 40 years ago, his vision was to protect and breed wild animals before returning them to their native habitats. The parks house the largest herd of African elephants in the UK and groups can also see rhino, bison, tigers and leopards as well as monkeys and gorillas.

The collection of birds, reptiles, mammals and invertibrates at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford in Oxfordshire is the main attraction for visitors, but not the only one. The venue also offers groups a Gardeners' Day Out which includes a talk by one of the gardeners and a cream tea, as well as admission to the Park.