Paignton Zoo, located just a 10 minute drive from the centre of Paignton, is a wildlife conservation area with animals ranging from the Anaconda to the Zebra with many, many in between including Lions, baby Giraffe, Orang-utan & Crocodiles, Pelicans, Macaw & the great African Elephant to name but a few.
The admission fee, which can be upgraded to a ‘Zooper’ ticket that includes admission to Living Coasts (see below) is just £14.15 for an adult ticket (£21.00 upgraded), £9.95 for children (£14.25 upgraded), £11.70 for senior citizens (£16.80 upgraded) or £44.50 (£61.25) for a family of 4, 2 adults & 2 children.
The Zoo is a member of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA), which relates to the conservation and research work in hand, which is easily accessed throughout the zoo at various information points.
Paignton Zoo is also classed as a Botanical Garden, which is not only renowned for its animal-based conservation, but also has an extensive plant collection from around the planet. The Zoo has themed gardens, including the Economic Garden that features plants we use for fuel, food, clothing etc. and the self-explanatory Medicinal Garden.
The Zoo boasts its own restaurant overlooking Gibbon Island and is perfect for main meals with indoor or outdoor seating or there is a fully-licensed bar stocking a good selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Both are open all day, all year round.
There are lots of indoor attractions, with many of the animals enclosed in warm buildings featuring lush, steamy rainforests or the heat and humidity of the Crocodile Swamp or the covered boardwalk which leads to the restaurant so even if it starts raining, there is still plenty to do and see.
Events happen all year round too, with things like an Ape & Cake evening coming up in June 2014, or a sponsored walk in July.
There is an indoor Jungle Fun play area for the children to let off steam or explore the Discovery Centre that has lots of fun and exciting activities for children and adults alike! Top all this off with over 2,000 animals, the Living World Gift Shop and all-weather entertainment, Paignton Zoo is one of the most-visited attractions in Torbay.