Top 10 Biggest Zoos in the UK by Area (2026 Ranking)
Published: 5 Apr 2026
The biggest zoo in the UK by land area is ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, covering around 242 hectares (600 acres).
This guide ranks the top 10 biggest zoos in the UK by total land area, including traditional zoos, safari parks, and wildlife parks where official or widely reported figures are available.
Because zoo size can be measured in different ways, this list uses total reported land area from official sources and trusted references to keep comparisons consistent.
Top 10 Biggest Zoos in the UK by Land Area (Ranked 2026)
This table ranks the top 10 biggest zoos in the UK by total land area. It includes traditional zoos, safari parks and wildlife parks based on their reported or widely cited hectare measurements, allowing a consistent comparison of size across all locations.
| Rank | Zoo / Park | Type | Location (City) | Area (Hectares) | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZSL Whipsnade Zoo | Traditional Zoo | Bedfordshire | 242 ha | Largest zoo in the UK by land area (~600 acres) |
| 2 | Knowsley Safari Park | Safari Park | Merseyside | ~220 ha | One of the UK’s largest safari drive-through parks |
| 3 | West Midlands Safari Park | Safari Park | Worcestershire | ~200 ha | Long safari route with big cats & rhinos |
| 4 | Highland Wildlife Park | Wildlife Park | Highlands | ~105 ha | Natural Highland reserve with open habitats |
| 5 | Longleat Safari Park | Safari Park | Wiltshire | ~100+ ha | Historic safari estate with vast animal reserves |
| 6 | Marwell Zoo | Traditional Zoo | Hampshire | ~100 ha | Large conservation zoo with wide open enclosures |
| 7 | Cotswold Wildlife Park | Wildlife Park | Oxfordshire | ~65 ha | Landscaped park with immersive animal habitats |
| 8 | Chester Zoo | Traditional Zoo | Cheshire | ~51–52 ha | One of the UK’s most visited zoo with 500+ species |
| 9 | Twycross Zoo | Traditional Zoo | Leicestershire | ~40 ha | World-famous primate conservation centre |
| 10 | Paignton Zoo | Traditional Zoo | Devon | ~32 ha | Botanical-style zoo with rich biodiversity |
Area figures are based on official zoo information, conservation organisations and widely cited public sources to keep comparisons as consistent as possible.
READ: OLDEST ZOOS IN THE WORLD
Detailed Guide to the Largest Zoos in the UK by Land Area
Below is a detailed breakdown of each zoo ranked by land area, including key highlights, location and unique features.
1. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo – Bedfordshire
Location: Bedfordshire
Size: ~242 hectares (600 acres) – UK’s largest zoo by area
Managed by: Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo in the UK by land area, covering around 242 hectares in Bedfordshire. Its vast countryside setting makes it one of the most spacious wildlife parks in Europe and gives it a distinct open-range character compared to traditional city zoos.
Unlike compact zoos with tightly grouped enclosures, Whipsnade is spread across large naturalistic landscapes where animals are viewed over longer distances and across varied terrain. This layout creates a more immersive, safari-like experience while still functioning as a fully managed zoological park.
The zoo also plays a major role in global conservation through breeding programmes and wildlife recovery initiatives, with some areas dedicated to off-display research and animal care that support endangered species protection efforts.
READ: Facts About Zoos: Importance, Animal Care & Fun Facts
2. Knowsley Safari Park – Merseyside
Location: Merseyside
Size: ~220 hectares (550 acres) – one of the UK’s largest safari parks
Overseen by: Knowsley Leisure & Safari Park Ltd
Knowsley Safari Park is one of the UK’s Top Safari Style Parks, offering a full drive-through experience across 220 hectares. Visitors can tour in their own vehicles or take a guided ride, seeing giraffes, rhinos, exotic deer and big cats roam freely in open habitats.
The park also features walk-through zones, interactive feeding sessions, and playgrounds, making it a perfect family day out. It combines wildlife immersion with entertainment and education.
Knowsley is active in conservation and research, participating in breeding programmes for endangered species and showcasing how zoos care for animals behind the scenes.
READ: Largest Zoos in Europe Ranked by Area
3. West Midlands Safari Park – Worcestershire
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK
Size: ~200 hectares (494 acres) – one of the UK’s largest safari-style parks
Managed by: West Midlands Safari Park Ltd
West Midlands Safari Park is a large drive-through safari park covering around 200 hectares, offering visitors the chance to travel through open animal reserves in their own vehicles. The route includes close encounters with species such as lions, tigers, giraffes, and rhinos in spacious, open habitats.
In addition to the safari drive, the park features walk-through animal zones, educational talks, and themed exhibits that provide a more detailed look at wildlife care and behaviour. It also includes family attractions, making it both a wildlife and leisure destination.
The park is involved in conservation efforts and supports breeding programmes for endangered species, contributing to broader wildlife protection and education initiatives.
READ: Top 10 Best and Most Visited Zoos in the World
4. Highland Wildlife Park – Scotland
Location: Highlands
Size: ~105 hectares – large wildlife park set in the Cairngorms National Park
Managed by: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)
Highland Wildlife Park is a large conservation-focused wildlife park located in the Scottish Highlands within the Cairngorms National Park. It combines drive-through and walk-through areas, allowing visitors to experience both open-range animals and closer enclosure-based habitats.
The park is known for its wide, natural landscapes that reflect the surrounding Highland environment, giving animals more space and a more natural setting compared to traditional urban zoos. Species such as polar bears, bison, wildcats, and Arctic animals are part of its conservation-driven collection.
It plays a strong role in breeding and conservation programmes, focusing on cold-climate and endangered species as part of wider global wildlife protection efforts.
READ: Best Zoos in Europe: Top 12 Family-Friendly Zoos Ranked
5. Longleat Safari Park – Wiltshire
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Size: ~100+ hectares (safari area within a much larger historic estate)
Managed by: Longleat Enterprises Ltd
Longleat Safari Park is one of the UK’s earliest and most well-known safari-style parks, set within a vast historic estate. The safari drive covers a large open area where visitors can see animals such as lions, wolves, deer, and monkeys roaming freely in semi-natural conditions.
The wider estate includes gardens, woodlands, and additional attractions, but the safari experience itself is the main wildlife highlight and operates across a large dedicated section of the property. This makes Longleat different from standard zoos, as it combines heritage estate land with wildlife reserves.
It is also known for pioneering the UK’s drive-through safari concept, playing a key role in shaping modern safari park experiences in Britain.
READ: Top 10 Largest Zoos in the US Ranked by Area
6. Marwell Zoo – Hampshire
Location: Hampshire, UK
Size: ~100 hectares – large conservation zoo with expansive open habitats
Managed by: Marwell Wildlife
Set in the Hampshire countryside, Marwell Zoo covers about 100 hectares and focuses strongly on wildlife conservation. It is designed with wide open spaces and themed habitats that allow animals to move in more naturalistic environments compared to compact city zoos.
The zoo is home to a diverse range of species, including big cats, antelope, primates, and reptiles, with enclosures designed to reflect different global ecosystems. Its layout prioritises spacious viewing areas and natural terrain over dense, indoor exhibits.
Marwell is also involved in conservation and breeding programmes, supporting global efforts to protect endangered species while focusing on education and wildlife awareness.
7. Cotswold Wildlife Park – Oxfordshire
Location: Oxfordshire
Size: ~65 hectares – landscaped wildlife park with large natural enclosures
Operated by Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens Ltd
Cotswold Wildlife Park is a large wildlife park set within landscaped gardens and open parkland, covering around 65 hectares. It differs from traditional zoos by blending animal habitats with botanical surroundings, creating a more natural, garden-style visitor experience.
The park is home to a wide range of species, including large mammals, birds, and reptiles, with spacious enclosures designed to give animals more room compared to compact urban zoos. Its layout encourages relaxed, walk-through exploration across open green spaces.
Cotswold Wildlife Park is also known for its focus on conservation and breeding programmes, while maintaining a strong emphasis on visitor experience within a natural garden environment.
8. Chester Zoo – Cheshire
Location: Cheshire
Size: ~51–52 hectares – one of the UK’s most visited large conservation zoos
Managed by: Chester Zoo Ltd
Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s most visited and well-known zoos, covering around 51–52 hectares. Unlike safari parks or open-drive reserves, it is designed as a fully walk-through conservation zoo with immersive themed habitats.
Chester zoo is structured into large biomes and habitat zones that recreate ecosystems from around the world, allowing visitors to experience animals in carefully designed environments rather than open-range landscapes. Its layout focuses more on biodiversity and species variety than total land area.
Although not the largest zoo by land area, Chester Zoo is highly influential in Europe thanks to its global conservation work, including breeding programmes, habitat protection and international wildlife initiatives.
Not sure which one to visit?
READ: Comparison of Whipsnade Zoo and Chester Zoo
9. Twycross Zoo – Leicestershire
Location: Leicestershire
Size: ~40 hectares – medium-sized specialist conservation zoo
Managed by: Twycross Zoo Ltd
Twycross Zoo is a medium-sized zoo covering around 40 hectares, best known for its strong focus on primates and conservation research. Unlike large safari parks or open-range reserves, it operates as a traditional walk-through zoo with closely managed habitat zones.
The zoo is internationally recognised for its primate collection and scientific research programmes, particularly in ape conservation. Its layout is designed to support both animal welfare and educational experiences, with well-structured viewing areas across the park.
Twycross also plays an active role in breeding programmes for endangered species and contributes to global conservation efforts, making it an important specialist zoo despite its smaller land area.
10. Paignton Zoo – Devon
Location: Devon
Size: ~32 hectares – compact conservation zoo with botanical-style layout
Managed by: Wild Planet Trust
Paignton Zoo is a compact conservation zoo covering around 32 hectares, known for its combination of animal habitats and botanical gardens. Unlike larger safari parks or open-range zoos, it is designed as a walk-through experience with densely planted, naturalistic enclosures.
The zoo is home to a wide variety of species from different ecosystems, with habitats integrated into landscaped greenery that enhances both animal welfare and visitor experience. Its layout focuses on accessibility, education, and conservation within a smaller footprint.
Paignton Zoo is actively involved in breeding programmes and global conservation work, supporting endangered species protection while maintaining a strong focus on environmental education and awareness.
Famous Zoos in the UK (Not Ranked by Size)
Some zoos in the UK are not included in the “biggest by land area” ranking, but they are very popular because of their history, animal collections and visitor experience.
London Zoo (World’s Oldest Scientific Zoo)
ZSL London Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world. It is located in central London and is known for its long history, conservation work and compact city layout.
It is not the biggest zoo in the UK, but it is one of the most visited and well-known zoos due to its location and global reputation.
READ: London Zoo Facts, History & Hidden Stories You Didn’t Know
Edinburgh Zoo (Scotland’s Most Famous Zoo)
Edinburgh Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in the UK and is known for its wide range of animals and strong conservation work. It is located in Scotland’s capital and attracts visitors from around the world.
It is especially known for penguins, big cats, and primates and is one of the top wildlife attractions in Scotland.
Chester Zoo (One of the UK’s Largest and Most Visited Zoos)
Chester Zoo is one of the most visited zoos in the UK and is famous for its large animal collection and modern themed habitats.
It is well known for its conservation programs and immersive exhibits that feature animals from around the world.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (Largest Zoo in the UK)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo in the UK by land area. It offers a wide open-range safari-style experience where animals live in large natural habitats.
Visitors can see elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos across its vast countryside setting.
Learn more about conservation and wildlife parks at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
FAQs About Biggest Zoos in the UK
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the biggest zoo in England by land area, covering around 242 hectares.
There are more than 300 licensed zoos in the UK, according to data compiled from international wildlife charity Born Free’s database of UK zoos.
Chester Zoo has one of the largest animal collections in the UK, with thousands of animals across hundreds of species.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo covers about 242 hectares (600 acres), making it one of the most spacious zoological parks in Europe.
Yes — Whipsnade is much larger. London Zoo is compact at around 15 hectares, while Whipsnade’s grounds are vastly more extensive.
No, Chester Zoo is not the biggest zoo in the UK. The biggest zoo is ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
