Animal Experiences In Kent
Animal Experiences In Kent
Guide
Get ready for cuddle corners, ranger talks, feeding sessions, animal treks, and awe-inspiring bird displays, for lasting memories with Kent’s amazing animals! Looking for the best animal days out in Kent near you? Our Animal Experiences In Kent Guide is the one-stop feature of unforgettable animal encounters in Kent. Explore animal attractions, including sanctuaries, farms, conservation centres, and wildlife parks – all brimming with furry and feathered friends! Come face-to-face with giraffes, flamingos, gorillas, big cats, meerkats, piglets, llamas, rabbits and countless more incredible creatures.
For goat walks, beekeeping experiences, furry and critter fun, see our animal attractions in Kent filter under our See Kent Kids category.
Want to stay up close and personal with animals in Kent? Check out our feature on the best places for quirky animal-themed stays in Kent. Our fantastic round-up of animal-themed overnight stays in Kent features everything from tigers and lions to penguins, miniature farmyard friends, and much more!
Animal Experiences In Kent
Guide
PARKS & PROTECTION
Wingham Wildlife Park
Canterbury
Nestled just outside Canterbury, it has the largest number of animal species of all wildlife parks and zoos in the county. The inhabitants range from monkeys to jaguars, red pandas to penguins, and there are also tigers, flamingos, bats, and lots more exotic and extraordinary species to see and learn about. Lots of activities too, with animal talks, feeding displays, and experiences. ⇒ read more
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Bekesbourne, Canterbury
Protection of the world’s many species is at the heart of many of the animal attractions in the county, including Howletts Wild Animal Park. The park features over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters. Lots to do and see – animal talks, wild beasts being fed, experiences and plenty more. ⇒ read more
Port Lympne
Hythe
Howletts Wild Animal Park’s sister park is a breeding sanctuary for rare and endangered species where animals always come first. Visitors can learn and experience these unique animals, from Brazza monkeys to rhinos. In addition, the dinosaur-themed forest is filled with realistic replicas and fun activities like digging up fossils. ⇒ read more
CONSERVATION & EDUCATION
The Big Cat Sanctuary
Ashford
Have fun and learn about the many amazing animals from around the world at places like the sanctuary near Ashford. The sanctuary provides the environment for the breeding of endangered cats and is home to more than 50 cats, including African lions, Snow Leopards, Pumas, Lynx, and Sumatran tigers. ⇒ read more
Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats
Maidstone
This sanctuary helps rescue and care for neglected goats. The charity offers multiple experiences, including walking with them, to being a goat keeper. ⇒ read more
Fenn Bell Conservation Project
Rochester
This venue holds Medway’s first zoo licence. With all the animals rescued from other zoos, the project aims to educate visitors about its work and the animals. Calling the zoo home are foxes, raccoons, flamingos, meerkats, lemurs, and many more. ⇒ read more
Wildwood Trust
Herne Bay
Conservation Centre for over 200 native animals, including badgers, lynx, wild boar, wolves, deer, and bears. In addition, there are many talks and experiences to educate yourself on a variety of magnificent species. With a fantastic play area. ⇒ read more
Hemsley Conservation Centre
Sevenoaks
The continually growing zoo and wildlife centre offers visitors the chance to see some of the world’s most endangered and least understood, and under-represented species; an education centre and a small breeding centre for rare animals. With marmosets, lemurs, toucans and lots more. They offer talks, tours and animal experiences. ⇒ read more
FUN AT THE FARM
Smiles Sensory and Family Farm
Tunbridge Wells
Home to donkeys, pigs, guinea pigs, horses, ducks and lots more. The farm offers experiences, including walking friendly goats or petting some of the smaller animals. ⇒ read more
Quex Adventure Farm Park
Birchington, Thanet
Offers a wide variety of animals to meet and even cuddle – you can make furry and feathered friends. There are daily activities where you might have the chance to help feed some of them, too. ⇒ read more
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park
Maidstone
The park showcases and breeds traditional farm animals, with plenty of animal activities to enjoy. You can bottle-feed lambs at Easter, ride a donkey in the Summer, and get up close and personal with smaller farmyard animals in the cuddle corner all year round. There’s also the Owl Academy on site. ⇒ read more
Little Fant Farm
Maidstone
Visit and feed the pigs and see the Shetland ponies, chickens, ducks, and geese at this heritage farm. ⇒ read more
Huckleberry Woods
Faversham
Small, family-based farm focused on micro-animals such as micro pigs, miniature donkeys, miniature chickens and more. You can also walk with some of these friendly small animals. ⇒ read more
The Reindeer Centre
Bethersden, Ashford
Discover pet and play with reindeer sessions during major school holidays. You can also interact with other animals, including guinea pigs, goats, lambs, llamas, and rabbits. Their annual festive experiences at Santa’s grotto are very popular with Santa’s Grottos and lots more. ⇒ read more
Rare Breeds Centre
Woodchurch, Ashford
This 100-acre farm offers many activities for the whole family, including meeting friendly farmyard animals, enjoying falconry experiences and lots more. ⇒ read more
Frampton Farm
Dover
Meet adorable goats, alpacas, lambs & more at Frampton Farm for hands-on animal experiences and lots more animal adventures.
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FLYING HIGH
The Garden of England is also home to many bird centres offering wonderful places to see birds, have experiences, see amazing aerials with soaring demonstrations and falconry feats. Great ideas for things to do in Kent include displays, animal interactions and lots more animal encounters.
Willow’s Bird of Prey & Wildlife Trail
Knockholt, Sevenoaks
The venue supports the conservation of birds of prey, whilst allowing you to experience handling and flying a variety, surrounded by the idyllic Kent countryside.⇒ read more
Sky Birds of Prey,
Tunbridge Wells
A family-run company offering a variety of animal experiences in Kent, getting to know the different magnificent birds in the countryside. ⇒ read more
Kent Owl Academy
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Maidstone
Learn and experience their majestic birds, with experiences with raptors, owls, and other animals. ⇒ read more
Falconry at Leeds Castle
Maidstone
Experience the Falconry displays showcasing a range of birds, including hawks, falcons, and owls. ⇒ read more
The Hawking Centre
Eastwell Manor, Ashford
Specialist birds of prey and falconry experience centre where you can meet, fly and look after hawks, eagles, owls, and falconry. ⇒ read more
Rare Breeds Centre
Woodchurch, Ashford
Aviary walk-in with budgerigars, cockatiels, finches and sparrows as they fly about around you ⇒ read more
Joe’s Bows
Belmont House, Faversham
Joe’s Bows offers a range of experiences, including fun falconry experiences. ⇒ read more
Wide Eyes Falconry
Ashford
Offer a range of experiences, including a hawk walk.⇒ read more
Elmley National Nature Reserve
Isle of Sheppey
Enjoy a safari experience on the two-mile entry track through roaming cattle, winding waterways and wildlife. Using your car as a hide, keep an eye out for hares, marsh harriers, egrets, lapwings, redshanks, and other wildlife. ⇒ read more
ALPACA TREKS TREATS
Discover more animal adventures in this animal experiences in Kent guide, with walks, and meet and greet awesome alpacas. With the Kenward Place Alpaca Experience in Maidstone, meet the loving personalities of their eight alpacas on a walk across 15 acres, and little ones can experience a meet and greet with them too. At Capstone Farm Alpacas in Gillingham, you can meet these fascinating animals and walk them through the farm. Visit Lower Bush Alpacas in Rochester, and enjoy picnics and walks when meeting the animals. At Woodland View Alpacas in Quex Park, Birchington you can experience meeting and trekking the friendly and lively alpacas. Also, at Alpaca Annie at Haguelands Farm in Romney Marsh, you can take a trip with Annie the alpaca on a trek or meet and greet her loving personality. You can also enjoy alpaca treks and experiences at Reuthe’s The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks.
See Kent, Know Kent
If you have an attraction we should feature, we would love to hear about it. Please email details to [email protected]
Picture Credit: Top to bottom: David White (giraffes), Ran Liwen (red panda), Chris Robert (goats) Nick Fewings (sheep), David White (kestrel), Rafał Danhoffer (alpaca) at unsplash.com
We do our best to endeavour to be as accurate and comprehensive as possible from the information we have at the time of publication. We are not liable for any changes that a company or event makes at the last minute, whether time changes or price amendments.
