# Howletts Wild Animal Park, Canterbury — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > Meet magnificent wildlife at this family-friendly Bekesbourne park featuring interactive keeper talks, animal feeding times and children's play areas, all fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/howletts-wild-animal-park (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Wildlife Park # Howletts Wild Animal Park Howletts Wild Animal Park [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=11915738748898109325&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/117995081028651057671) **In short:** Howletts Wild Animal Park is a wildlife park in Canterbury, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5,336 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About Howletts Wild Animal Park Meet magnificent wildlife at this family-friendly Bekesbourne park featuring interactive keeper talks, animal feeding times and children's play areas, all fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. ## Good to know ### Parking - ✓Free car park - ✓Free street ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance - ✓Accessible toilet - ✓Accessible seating ### Payment - ✓Credit cards - ✓Debit cards - ✓Contactless Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## Facilities Toilets Gift Shop Onsite Parking Accessible Toilets Baby Changing Food Available Card Payments Accepted ## Opening hours **Monday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Tuesday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Wednesday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Thursday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Friday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Saturday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM **Sunday** 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours. ## What visitors say [Rosi Petkova](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106243106707233771416/reviews) ★★★★★ We had a fantastic day at Howletts Wild Animal Park and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves wildlife. The park is well maintained, and it's clear that the animals are very well looked after. There is an excellent variety of species to see, with spacious enclosures that seem to prioritise the animals' welfare. We visited on a very hot day, so some of the animals were understandably resting in the shade or keeping out of sight. Even so, there was still plenty to see, and it was great to observe the animals. There is a schedule of feeding sessions and keeper talks throughout the day. These are really interesting and add to the experience, giving you the chance to learn more about the animals and the conservation work carried out by the park. You can easily spend a few hours here exploring everything at a relaxed pace. There is also free parking, along with a few kiosks and a café where you can grab food and drinks during your visit. Prices were reasonable. Overall, it's a wonderful wildlife park that offers a great day out for families, couples, and animal lovers alike. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit! · via Google [Tom Raffield](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103060474787824933797/reviews) ★★★★★ This was my visit to Howletts since I was a child and taking my own two daughters today (5 and 7) was a great way to head back. We have an annual pass from our visit to Port Lympne and wanted to make the most of it so headed over for May bank holiday. The park itself is large with lots to explore and see. The range of animals is excellent from elephants to tigers and wild dogs to monkeys. The star of the show however has to be the gorillas. There are two large enclosures to view with plenty of space to sit and observe the animals enjoying their time at Howletts. You could spend hours watching them! Along the way around the park we found a decent sized play area, a couple of cafes and a shop. An 'Ice Age' walk also featured life sized models of some animals from our distant past. Animal encounters are available at extra cost and we managed to watch the elephant encounter from up close which was fun for the children. All in all it was a lovely day out. Top tip, perhaps wait for warmer weather or head to Howletts layer the day. The warmer temperatures during the day are needed for the big cats to become more active! #familydadventures · via Google [The Grim Eater](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/112267110814615531074/reviews) ★★★★★ An excellent trip with the kids. Fantastic all round, from the range of animals, their wellbeing, the enclosure and overall park tidiness, and great value. Huge thanks and special mention to Charlie who held the talks today, who not only was massively passionate, but just as extremely knowledgeable. He was great with all questions and kept us and the kids very engaged and gave us a hugely important understanding of the great works the Aspinall Foundation does. Can’t wait to return. · via Google [Jade Oliver](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/102501480974867743972/reviews) ★★★★★ Although we didn’t get to see all of the animals as it was hot, it was lovely to see the ones we did see. It was nice to know that the animals had enough places to hide from the sun and be comfortable. It was nice to see some animals being fed. The staff are really passionate about the animals, their health and their wellbeing. We did get to see some animals I have never seen before which was lovely. The food in the cafe was really nice and lots of places to stop and have picnics. There is also lots for kids to do which we did not need but as a childminder I appreciated. · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x47deb5e7e52775d5:0xa55d3542846de78d!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Visitors say this animal park features a wide variety of animals, including elephants, gorillas, and big cats, in spacious, well-maintained enclosures. They also highlight the knowledgeable and friendly staff, who provide informative talks and engaging animal encounters. Guests mention the free and ample parking, clean facilities, and numerous picnic areas, making it a great family day out. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, CT4 5EL [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.2698179%2C1.1566169) **Category** Zoos & Animal Parks **Guest rating** 4.5 / 5 (5,336 reviews) **Prices from** £20 **Suitable for** All Ages **Suggested visit** 3-4 hours **Setting** Outdoor **Dogs allowed** No **Destination** Canterbury [More attractions in Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions) ★ 4.5 (5,336 reviews) From £20 [Book tickets — from £19.50](https://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=40375582722&a=35498&m=86769) on Lovetovisit — affiliate link [Visit official website](https://af-howletts.secure-cdn.eu.accessoticketing.com/packageDetails/94/keyword/Daily%20Tickets?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [01227721286](tel:01227721286) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Canterbury **Postcode** CT4 5EL **Payment** Cards, Contactless **Plus Code** 9F337594+WJ [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x47deb5e7e52775d5:0xa55d3542846de78d!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47deb5e7e52775d5:0xa55d3542846de78d!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47deb5e7e52775d5:0xa55d3542846de78d!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Canterbury Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DCanterbury%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of Howletts Wild Animal Park? Howletts Wild Animal Park is open Mon–Sun 9:30am–6pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is Howletts Wild Animal Park any good? Howletts Wild Animal Park is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5,336 Google reviews. ### Is Howletts Wild Animal Park dog-friendly? No, Google lists Howletts Wild Animal Park as not allowing dogs. ### How long do you need at Howletts Wild Animal Park? Allow three to four hours. ### Is Howletts Wild Animal Park indoors or outdoors? Howletts Wild Animal Park is mainly outdoors. ### What ages is Howletts Wild Animal Park suitable for? Howletts Wild Animal Park suits all ages. ### Is Howletts Wild Animal Park wheelchair accessible? Howletts Wild Animal Park has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet. ### Is there parking at Howletts Wild Animal Park? Yes: free car park and free street parking. ### How do I contact Howletts Wild Animal Park? Call Howletts Wild Animal Park on +44 1227 721286. ## Stay near Howletts Wild Animal Park [Holiday cottages nearby 157](https://staycation.co.uk/near/howletts-wild-animal-park/cottages) [Campsites nearby 52](https://staycation.co.uk/near/howletts-wild-animal-park/camping) [Hotels and B&Bs nearby 8](https://staycation.co.uk/near/howletts-wild-animal-park/hotels) ## More near Howletts Wild Animal Park ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [The Evenhill ★ 4.5 · 0.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/the-evenhill) - [The Duke William ★ 4.6 · 1.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/the-duke-william) - [TOR Rooms ★ 3.0 · 1.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/tor-rooms) - [Innkeepers Lodge Canterbury ★ 4.5 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/innkeepers-lodge-canterbury) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Puxton Lodge 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/puxton-lodge-uk31902) - [Crud Yr Awel 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/crud-yr-awel-syk1116669) - [Felix Cottage 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/felix-cottage-syk1174051) - [Bow Cottage 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/bow-cottage-30682) ### Campsites nearby - [Canterbury Lodges and Glamping ★ 5.0 · 0.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/canterbury-lodges-and-glamping) - [Cooll Camping ★ 4.8 · 0.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/cooll-camping) - [Woolton Farm ★ 4.8 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/woolton-farm) - [Cobbs Meadow ★ 4.4 · 1.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/kent/camping/cobbs-meadow) ### Things to do nearby - [Sidequest Gamer's Hub Canterbury ★ 4.6 · 3.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/sidequest-gamer-s-hub-canterbury) - [Curzon Canterbury Riverside ★ 4.5 · 3.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/curzon-canterbury-riverside) - [Wingham Wildlife Park ★ 4.7 · 3.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/wingham-wildlife-park) - [Huntfun Canterbury ★ 5.0 · 3.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/huntfun-canterbury) ## Featured in our guides [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [Canterbury Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat A practical Canterbury staycation guide: where to stay near the cathedral, punting on the Stour, museums, where to eat, a two-day plan and day trips to the Kent coast.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/canterbury-staycation-guide)