Reading Zoo
Reading Zoo

experiences

As Wild as it Gets!

Our animal experiences are a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with our incredible wildlife. Join our keepers in the enclosure for a chat and some quality time with our animals.

Categories

Ages

6+

Max 6 ppl

Meet a Meerkat

Come and experience some magical meerkat moments. Join our keepers and the meerkats inside the enclosure for some fun and feeding.

Available 7 days a week until 11:00am

10 – 15 minute experience

£30 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.

Ages

6+

Max 6 ppl

Meet a Ring-Tailed Lemur

Step into the enclosure of our ring-tailed lemurs with one of our keepers and get the chance to feed these social animals.

Available 7 days a week until 12:00pm

10 – 15 minute experience

£30 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.

Capybara Experiences

Ages

6+

Max 5 ppl

Meet the Capybaras

Get acquainted with the world's largest rodent during our "Meet the Capybara" encounter. You'll have the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat and learn about their unique characteristics.

Available 7 days a week at 2:30pm

10 - 15 minute experience

£55 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.

Tapir Experience

Ages

12+

Max 5 ppl

Meet the Tapir

Get up close and personal with this remarkable and intriguing mammal during our "Meet the Tapir" encounter. You'll have the opportunity to observe their unique behaviours and learn about their important role in the ecosystem.

Available 7 days a week at 3:00pm

10 - 15 minute experience

£55 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.

Binturong Experience

Ages

16+

Max 2 ppl

Meet the Binturong

Discover the fascinating world of the binturongs, a unique and elusive animal. Our "Meet the Binturong" encounter offers a rare opportunity to observe these incredible creatures up close and learn about their intriguing behaviors.

Available Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday at 3:00pm

10 - 15 minute experience

£55 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.

Ages

8+

Max 2 ppl

Meet The Oddballs

The oddball experience gets you up close to three animals, with our keepers ready to answer your questions and share some insightful facts. Make sure you have your camera handy to capture these special moments. You can choose any three of the following animals: Reindeer, Pigs, Genets, Porcupine, Wallabies, Cus Cus

Available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 2:00pm

45 minute experience

£70 (admission excluded)

Please note, any child enjoying an experience on their own, must have a supervising adult present outside the enclosure.We cannot guarantee that every animal will be available on any given day; however, we will do our best to fulfil your preference.

Ages

16+

Max 2 ppl

Meet The Carnivores

On this exciting encounter you get to follow alongside our experienced carnivore keepers during their daily rounds to your choice of three of the following animal enclosures: Lynx, Genet or Tayra

Available Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 2:00pm

45 minute experience

£85 (admission excluded)

Please note the final carnivore line-up cannot be guaranteed - while we try to include as wide a variety as possible, specific animals are subject to change without notice.

Ages

6 – 12

Zoo Club

Got a young zookeeper in the making? Zoo Club is perfect for all animal enthusiasts! This is a five-week course that covers all aspects of life as a keeper, with each week focusing on a new skill. There will be some theory-based learning, the chance to put it into practice, and the opportunity to get up close with a range of zoo and farmyard animals – all making for a memorable experience.

5-week course on Thursdays, at 4:00 PM

60 minutes

£90 (admission included)

Course Dates: 5 weeks starting on 11th September

If the minimum number is not reached the course will not run.
Snacks are not provided, and children are asked to bring a water bottle and their wellies.
The course is over five sessions at the zoo.
Entry for one parent/guardian included for the 5 session times.
Theory workshops and practical activities in the zoo.
Certificate of attendance.

*We also offer a home educators Zoo Club, please see the home educators page for more details.

Ages

6 – 12

Home Educator Zoo Club

Is your child a future zookeeper? The Zoo Club is a five-week program designed for young animal enthusiasts aged 6-12. Children will learn various zookeeper skills, engage in theory-based learning, and gain hands-on experience with a variety of zoo and farmyard animals.

5-week course on Wednesdays, at 2:30 PM

60 minutes

£90 (admission included)

Course Dates: 5 weeks starting on 10th September

If the minimum number is not reached the course will not run.
Snacks are not provided, and children are asked to bring a water bottle and their wellies.
The course is over five sessions at the zoo.
Entry for one parent/guardian included for the 5 session times.
Theory workshops and practical activities in the zoo.
Certificate of attendance.

Ages

6 – 12

max 12 ppl

Zoo Academy

Have you got a young, wild, explorer at home? We have a holiday club suited to those young explorers that enjoy animals, nature and all things outdoors. Activities: The day will be with us at the wildlife park where we have a mixture of activities planned. Including being out and about in park with our Zoo and Farm animals, as well as on our grounds looking at our native animals too.

Select Tuesdays and Wednesdays

9AM - 3PM

£49 (admission included)

Additional guests wanting to access the park during/after the club they will have to pay entry.

Dates this Summer: 29th July, 30th July, 5th August, 6th August, 12th August and 13th August, 26th August and 27th August

*Please note activities on the different weekdays will differ but there may be repetition of activities between the different weeks.
What to Bring
Children will need to bring a (nut -free) packed lunch and a snack
Suitable footwear
Long trousers
Sun lotion dependant on weather
Hat dependant on weather
Rain coat
Drinks
Snacks (nut-free)
Lunchboxes (nut-free)

Terms and conditions
Tickets must be pre-booked online.
Tickets are non-refundable but we may be able to move your booking to another day.
Zoo academy will run in all weather, so you are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring a water bottle.
Join us for an unforgettable experience at our holiday club! Book now to secure your spot and create lasting memories with our wonderful animals and fun outdoor activities.

Ages

12 – 15

Max 10 ppl

Intro to Animal Careers

Our new course has been designed for older children interested in a career with animals. Here, they get the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in what it takes to work somewhere like Beale Wildlife Park, or another animal-based job. All the activities revolve around the different aspects of caring for animals at our zoo. These afternoons will be spent learning through insightful theory workshops, as well as hands-on practical activities.

5-week course on Saturdays at 2:00pm

2 hours

£175 (admission included)

Topics covered:
• Animal Behaviour and Welfare
• Nutrition and Health
• Conservation and Enclosure Design

Course Dates: 5 weeks starting on 13th of September

Limited to 10 places. Places are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
If the minimum number is not reached the course will not run.
During the course a parent of the student may come onto the site to wait free of charge.
Entry to the zoo will be granted at the time of the activity (2pm).
*Please note that snacks will not be provided but can be brought along (nut free). We ask the students to bring water bottles and their own boots (walking boots or wellies).
We will be working with animals, so please wear long trousers and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!

What is included in the course:
Five afternoons at the zoo.
Entry for one parent/guardian for the 5 afternoons.
Theory workshops and practical activities in the zoo.
Certificate of attendance.
Digital reference available for applications for work or college.
Copies of photos taken throughout the course.

Ages

8-15

1 -2

Junior Keeper

Join our animal care team for a hands-on, behind-the-scenes adventure as a Junior Keeper for the Day. This exciting new experience gives young animal lovers the chance to step into the boots of a real zookeeper – with everything from feeding and mucking out to preparing enrichment for our animals. This experience is for 1 or 2 children from the same household.

Saturdays and Sundays

9:30am -12:30pm

£125 for 1 child, £225.00 for 2 children

Extras:

– 10 % off voucher for use in café and gift shop.

– Certificate and goody bag for the Junior Keeper.

Availability Extended:
Now available on all weekends up to 14th Dec 2025 (excluding Sep 14th)

Accompanying adult: One accompanying adult will get free entry to the Zoo but will not take part in the experience or access any behind the scenes areas. However, they may follow and be kept busy with taking photos! 

Terms and conditions:

Bookings available up to 48 hours before

Once the experience has been booked, it cannot be rescheduled if less than 4 weeks’ notice given prior to the date of the experience taking place.

You will be required to check in with our Education team at least 10 minutes prior to the experience start time.

Parents to sign disclaimers

Additional guests will need to buy an entry ticket and will not be allowed access to the Zoo before opening at 10 am.

Unfortunately, wheelchair access is not available on this experience. Please contact us if you are interested in this experience and require access.

Please enquire with education team if the child has any additional needs or disabilities to make sure the experience is suitable.

Ages

2 – 4

Nature Tots

Calling all grandparents, parents and guardians exploring the park mid-week with toddlers! Our nature club is designed to engage your little ones with all thing’s nature. Each session is centred around a new theme linked to the natural world.

5 Weeks, Term Time Tuesdays

10:15 AM - 11AM

£30-£50 (details below)

What’s included:

– One free hot drink for the accompanying adult

– Entry to the park on the day of the session

– Free time in the park or soft play

 
30 minutes of practical animal or nature activity, followed by a story or craft session (location may vary depending on the weather)

Starting 16th September. Please note that each child will need a parent to support them with activities. Nature Tots ran successfully last year, with sessions quickly booking up - early booking is recommended.

Pricing:
Non-member: £50 for 5 weeks (1 parent & 1 tot, includes park entry)
Member: £30 for 5 weeks (1 parent & 1 tot, excludes park entry)
Additional child/adult (non-member): £25 (includes park entry)
Additional child/adult (member): £15 (excludes park entry)