If you love animals, then you’ll be spoilt for choice when you visit North Wales which is home to some of the best zoos and wildlife experience attractions in the UK. Here you will be able to see everything from apes & tigers, to penguins and moon jellyfish.

All of these attractions are perfect for any families who are looking for ways to keep the children entertained during their holiday in the region. However, it isn’t just kids who are sure to relish visiting these zoos which offer something for people of all ages.

Ahead of your next visit to Marine Holiday Park, we thought we’d put together a list of what we consider to be the best zoos in North Wales to visit, so you can arrive with a clear idea of which attractions to prioritise.

1. Welsh Mountain Zoo (Colwyn Bay, Conwy)
Located less than a 25 minute drive away from Marine Holiday Park is the fantastic Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay.

The Zoo has expanded massively since its conception in 1963 and is now home to over 80 different species of animal who are spread over 37 acres of glorious North Wales green land. From here you can enjoy exceptional views overlooking the seaside town of Colwyn Bay.

Whilst the views are impressive, it is the animals who are naturally the biggest attraction. The Zoo is home to a diverse range of animals made up of everything from cheeky monkeys and majestic Sumatran tigers, through to meerkats and pandas. There is even a petting zoo on-site where young children will be able to get up close and feed cute animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

A daily programme of talks and feeding sessions are put on at the zoo for the benefit of visitors. This includes the sea lion feeding sessions and the daily penguin parade which is a must see if you have a soft spot for these wonderful animals.

2. Anglesey Sea Zoo (Brynsiencyn, Anglesey)
The Anglesey Sea Zoo is the perfect all weather attraction for families in North Wales, providing guests with unrivalled insights into the many aquatic species who inhabit the surrounding Welsh waters.

The aquarium has around 40 different tanks for you to cast your eyes over including a terrifying shark pool, a fascinating “No bone zone” featuring animals such as jellyfish and a popular display of British Seahorses.
Whilst on-site, you will be able to learn more about their noble seahorse breeding programme and even touch some of the animals if you feel the inclination in the interactive rockpool areas.

If you have the weather on your side, then there are also a number of outdoor attractions to take advantage of during peak season too. This includes a crazy golf course, playground, remote control boats and a pirate themed jet blaster attraction.

There is something to keep you entertained throughout the day and this includes somewhere to replenish your energy levels thanks to the on-site cafe which is open from 9:30 till 4pm each day during peak periods.

3. Pili Palas Nature World (Menai Bridge, Anglesey)
Another Anglesey based zoo in North Wales is the Pili Palas Nature World. This is a small but brilliant attraction which is particularly good for families with young children.

Here you will be able to encounter a variety of beautiful butterflies in the aptly named tropical butterfly house, say hello to the pesky parrots and meet many other small mammals including meerkats, reptiles, insects, birds and much more.

Another great area to visit whilst at the attraction is the farm yard which is a very hands on area. Here kids will be able to meet many of the farms cutest species including their Kune Kune Pigs, goats, miniature donkeys and giant continental rabbits!

There are plenty of other ways to keep the kids entertained whilst visiting thanks to Pili Palas having its own indoor soft play area, outdoor play barn and their brand new Jungle towers play area which has slides, swings, climbing apparatus, balance beams and zip wire. Here you can let the kids play while you soak up the scenery on one of the picnic benches which are located alongside the park.

4. GreenWood Family Park (Y Felinheli, Gwynedd)
Greenwood Family Park is really more of an adventure park than it is a dedicated zoo. In fact you could claim it to be one of the few theme parks in North Wales thanks to the array of rides that are available, all of which utilise environmentally friendly means of propulsion.

However, there is a small animal area on-site which is focused on native Welsh wildlife, including birds of prey and various woodland creatures. Kids will even be able to pet some of the animals including the ever friendly goats. There is even a range of forest school activities that children can get involved in where they will be able to explore the on-site nature trail, try their hand at building a bug hotel and get top safari survival tips.

Alternative Suggestions
Although it is technically not a zoo in North Wales, Marine Holiday Park is also located less than a 45 minute drive away from Chester Zoo which is unquestionably one of the largest and best zoos in the UK.

While Chester Zoo is a far pricer day out than many the zoos in North Wales that we have already mentioned, it is home to over 500 different species of animal spread over close to 130 acres of land. In fact, you might struggle to find the time to fit everything in during just one day.

If you are a holiday home owner at Marine Holiday Park and think that you may want to pay a visit to Chester Zoo regularly, then it might be worth considering an annual membership. These are quite costly, but well worth it if you are going to enjoy multiple days out at the attraction.