There are plenty of zoos, wildlife parks and farms within an hour’s travel of Hull. Hull Live has compiled a list of five options for animal lovers and information about what all of these attractions offer your family on a day out.
If you are visiting these locations, plan accordingly, check weather updates and take whatever you need for a comfortable experience such as umbrellas or sunscreen lotion. But most importantly, have fun!
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
While this attraction may take slightly longer than an hour — depending on where in Hull you are travelling from — it has a lot of great animals to see. Dogs are not permitted within the park, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Directions: The entrance to Yorkshire Wildlife Park is located at the Yorkshire Hive, Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster. Use their latest postcode DN9 3QY for sat-nav directions to the latest car park entrance. Unfortunately, if your Sat Nav has not been updated it may take you to the wrong entrance so once you are within close proximity, follow the ‘Brown Signs’ directing you to Yorkshire Wildlife Park car park.
Cost: Booking online and going during off-peak times will help you save money. Entry into the park Monday to Friday during term time booked on the web has adults £27.99 and children £23.99. Infants under three-years-old are free and over 65s, plus students are priced at £26.99.
Term time weekend prices will see another £1 added to these priced fares. School holidays and event days are peak days where prices will see a £2 increase, (instead of the £1 for term time weekends) on the prices above, excluding infants.
(Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Park)
Attractions: There are a lot of different animals here from a ten-acre reserve featuring six polar bears, to a pride of lions, a family of sea lions and a trio of red panda sisters. There are also capybara, several different primates and tigers.
There are several different events including ‘a night out at the zoo‘ during August and a 5k running safari in October. Near the entrance to the park is a free-admission shopping, dining and entertainment precinct. There are plenty of play areas for children, guided educational ranger talks and a discovery of dinosaurs exhibit.
Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park
This attraction has a lot on offer from birds and animals to natural walks and gardens.
Directions: Located about an hour from Hull at Scarborough Road, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9PG. This postcode covers four properties, so look for the Brown Tourist Sign opposite the free car park entrance.
Cost: Adult prices for 17-years-old and over are £9.95, children aged two to 16 are £8.50 and children under two are free. A family pass for two adults and two children costs £34.00. Bags of animal food suitable for larger animals are 60p. Season passes are available for £36 for adults and £32 for children. A family season pass for two adults and two children is £130. Different times of the year have different opening hours.
Attractions: A myriad of animals awaits you here with reptiles, lemurs, wallabies, a donkey and a pair of Shetland ponies amongst the eclectic mixture on offer. There are also a large variety of birds including geese, turkeys, ducks, parrots and owls.
Different types of gardens are on offer such as a sensory option and a hidden, secret garden. A cafe, play park and gift shop form part of the attractions dogs on short leads are available anywhere aside from the play park. A wildflower meadow, pond and woodland trail are just some of the other features on offer at the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park.
Boston Park Farm
A family business run by the Chappell family, Boston Park Farm includes the Tearooms, Maize Maze and horse liveries as well as an 800 acre arable farm. It also features a maize maze, which has grown and developed since it was started in 2000.
Directions: You can find the location on what3words by using beads.spacing.head. Boston Park Farm is on the A614 between Hatfield Woodhouse and Blaxton. From the M18, take the M180 and then turn immediately off at the first junction. Turn right at the roundabout and go over the bridge. Continue, then turn left opposite the Green Tree pub. Follow the road through Hatfield Woodhouse and the farm is 2.5 miles further, on the right.
Cost: Peak times are classed here as all school holidays, any events and weekends from May half term until October half term. Entry to the Maize Maze is included in your admission ticket when it is open from July 13 to October 31. The site is open from 10am to 4pm all year around except for during May half term, the summer school holidays and weekends from May to September when the farm is open until 5pm. Annual Passes are available too and these can be booked online by clicking Check Availability at the top of the page. Prices for Annual passes are: Adults – £50, Toddlers – £60, Children – £80 and a Family Pass – £230.
Attractions: The maize maze is one of the big attractions here, there is also a cafe and a ‘snack baa’ for those wanting something to eat. A soft play area, farm animal enclosures including a petting zoo area, a picnic area and a tractor track are also all on offer. Nature and animal trails are also available for those who like a good stroll with plenty to observe.
You can feed all of the animals too with a bag of animal feed from the café which can be bought for £1.50, the farm said if you do this, the animals will all be your best friend. Animal handling sessions happen everyday at 11.30am and 2.30pm where you will be able to cuddle some of the furry creatures. Dogs are allowed on leads anywhere in the park except areas where lambs are during lambing season.
East Hull Community Farm
A registered charity, this place is set on eight acres of land on the edge of a housing estate. It has been a charity since 1992 and was previously used as part of a secondary school’s rural studies courses. No dogs are allowed on the property.
Directions: The farm is located on Barham Road – right next door to Andrew Marvell college. They have one small car park situated within the gardens area with room for around 10 – 15 cars and a smaller area for a further 8 cars down the driveway which is better suited for disabled access. There is also plenty of on street parking locally. Nearby bus stops are served by the number three and four (stagecoach buses) close by if you are travelling by public transport.
Cost: The farm is open to the public and free to enter, donations are welcomed by the farm which help keep the doors open. The farm is open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 3:30pm with last admission is 3pm. They are closed weekends and bank holidays.
(Image: Hull Live)
Attractions: There are lots of friendly animals on site for you to see including rabbits, chickens, donkeys, calves, sheep, and pigs. Animal pellets are available to purchase to feed the animals. Animal meet and greets are available for £2 per child, per session.
The farm also offers day placements for adults with various learning difficulties and or mental health issues. This gives them access to a friendly environment where they can make new friends both with each other and the animals.
Bridlington Animal Park
There is no need to book for this location, just turn up. Bridlington Animal Park has a great plan your visit section on their website including information on accessibility. No dogs are allowed in the park.
Directions: Follow the A164 0r A165 towards Bridlington, then follow the brown tourist ‘Animal Park’ signs to the zoo. From the town centre or promenade, follow the brown tourist signs. For your sat nav, the postcode is YO15 3QF. Car parking is free.
Cost: The tickets are easily priced with adults £16 and children three-years-old to 15, £8. Children under three are free for entry. The zoo is open every day from 10am to 4pm. Last entry is 3pm and animal activities finish at 2pm.
(Image: Bridlington Birds of Prey and Animal Park)
Attractions: Bridlington Animal Park is an award winning, family owned business with lots to offer for a fun-filled family day out. They have a large range of birds and animals. These include Parrots, Owls, Flamingos, Zebra, Meerkats, Lemur, Camels and Raccoons. There is a large array of experiences on offer including their popular Meet the Meerkats feature. There is also an owl experience available and a surcharge may apply.
A giftshop and café are located on the grounds. There are no cash points on site.