Animal Experiences In Kent

Are you looking for exciting things to do in Kent? Look no further than the incredible world of animal experiences! Kent boasts a diverse range of animal attractions – sanctuaries, farms, conservation centres, and wildlife parks – all brimming with furry and feathered friends waiting to meet you.

This blog post is your one-stop guide to unforgettable animal encounters in Kent. We’ll explore places where you can come face-to-face with giraffes, flamingos, gorillas, big cats, meerkats, and countless more incredible creatures. From zoos and farm parks to conservation centres and sanctuaries, Kent offers a variety of experiences to suit all ages and interests.

Get ready for cuddle corners, ranger talks, feeding sessions, animal treks, and awe-inspiring bird displays. So, don’t miss out on the chance to create lasting memories with Kent’s amazing animals!

By Katie James

PARKS & PROTECTION

Wingham Wildlife Park
Canterbury
Nestled just outside Canterbury and has the largest number of animal species out 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 and feed times, experiences.

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.

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, there is the dinosaur forest filled with realistic replicas and fun activities like digging up fossils.

CONSERVATION & EDUCATION
Animal Experiences In Kent blog post
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.

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. 

 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. 

Wildwood Trust
Herne Bay
Conservation Center 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.

Hemsley Conservation Centre
Sevenoaks
This is a small breeding for rare animals, allowing visitors to learn about their natural habitat and behaviour. Plenty of animal experiences too, with armadillos, manned wolves and lots more.

FUN AT THE FARM
 Piglet for Animal Experiences In Kent blog post
Smiles Sensory and Family Farm
Tunbridge Wells
Home to a variety of animals – donkeys, pigs, guinea pigs, horses, ducks and lots more. The farm offers experiences like walking friendly goats or petting some of the smaller animals.

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.

 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 too.

Little Fant Farm
Maidstone
Visit and feed the pigs and see the Shetland ponies, chickens, ducks, and geese at this heritage farm.

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.

The Reindeer Centre
Bethersden, Ashford
Encounter 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.

Halfway Petting FarmIsle of Sheppey
Family-run farm offering a range of animals to see, from guinea pigs to alpacas and many more. It is a working farm that offers hands-on experiences.

 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. 



FLYING HIGH
Owl for Animal Experiences In Kent blog post
The Garden of England is also home to many bird centres offering wonderful experiences and amazing aerials with soaring demonstrations and falconry fun from a range of birds. 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. 

Sky Birds of Prey,
Tunbridge Wells
A family-run company offering a variety of experiences getting to know the different magnificent birds in the countryside. 

Kent Owl Academy
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Maidstone
 Learn and experience their majestic birds, with experiences with raptors, owls, as well as other animals.

Falconry at Leeds Castle
Maidstone
Experience the
Falconry displays showcasing a range of birds including hawks, falcons, and owls. 

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.

 Rare Breeds Centre
Woodchurch, Ashford
there are also falconry experiences for hands-on interaction with some amazing birds.

Joe’s Bows
Belmont House, Faversham
Joe’s Bows offers a range of experiences
including fun falconry experiences. 

Wide Eyes Falconry
Ashford
Offer a range of experiences including a hawk walk.

ALPACA TREKS TREATS
Three alpacas for Animal Experiences In Kent blog post
There are a host of places in Kent to walk and meet and greet some awesome alpacas – there’s Crowbourne Alpacas in Tunbridge Wells where you can experience treks across the Kent countryside. 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 listings@seekent.co.uk

Picture Credit: Top to bottom: David White (Giraffes) Jessy Paston (bird) Christopher Carson (pig) Dan Dennis (meerkat) Timothy Eberly (alpacas) – 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.

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