Howletts Wild Animal Park

Bekesbourne Road, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5EL

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Opening Times

Open every day of the year except Christmas Day, from 9:30am.

Summer (March to October): closes at 6pm (last admission 4:30pm)

Winter (October to March): closes at 5pm (last admission 3:30pm)

On Christmas Eve closes at 2:30pm (last admission 12:00)

Admission Prices

Adult

£19.95

Child (3-15)

£15.95

Child under 3

Free

Child concession

£13.95

Adult concession

£17.95

Concessions: Student, OAP, Disabled, Disabled Carer

Howletts Passport (visit as many times as you like for 12 months), Gold Card (joint tickets with Port Lympne Reserve), online discounts, and group rates also available; see zoo's website for details.

Description

Kent's most successful animal park, Howletts near Canterbury, offers a wild day out, like no other!  Celebrating their 40th birthday in 2015, visitors can explore wooded walkways and paths to discover some of the world's most rare and endangered species including Gorillas, primates, big cats, small cats, Giant Anteaters and more. Bring your herd to see their herd of African Elephants - the largest herd in the UK - and later, show off your skills on the Treetop Challenge or Animal Adventure Challenge. They're all about the welfare and protection of endangered species, so if you care about animals, come and see why they're world leaders in conservation.

Official Website

www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts

(Opens in separate window)

Facilities

Car Park

Free

Eating

The Pavilion Restaurant, cafe near the Elephant paddock, kiosks and picnic areas.

For Kids

Adventure Playground, Jurassic Mine Fossil Shop.

Treetop Challenge -- Here's one adventure you won't want to miss! Head high up into the trees and view the park from a monkey's perspective. Make your way through 16 challenging obstacles including: balance beams, tyre curtains and swinging logs before an exhilarating zip wire finish. (Additional charges & height restrictions apply.)

Animal Adventure Challenge -- an exhilarating course of obstacles where you can mimic the antics of the animals via slides, monkey bars, a bird's nest swing, a children's zip line and so much more. (Additional charges apply.)

Special Needs

Accessible for wheelchair users and wheelchairs are available for hire (refundable deposit of £20 required, please book in advance to avoid disappointment).

Restrictions

No dogs.

Children (aged 3 to 15 years) must be accompanied by an adult.

Attractions

Animal Collections

Mammals

Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.

Star Animals

World famous family of Western Lowland Gorillas.

The largest African Elephant herd in the UK.

A variety of big cats, small cats, primates, African Painted Dogs and so much more

Special Attractions

Walk with the Lemurs, some glass fronted and open topped enclosures, Treetop Challenge and Animal Adventure Challenge.

Other Attractions

Gift shops, Cafe, Gardens, Animal Talks & Feeds, Adopt an Animal

How To Get There:

By Car

Howletts is located between the villages of Bekesbourne and Littlebourne, three miles south of Canterbury in Kent.

From London:

Follow the A2 and M2 to and past Canterbury, and on towards Dover. Leave the A2 at Bridge, and turn left onto the unclassified road signposted for Littlebourne. Continue into Patrixbourne, and turn left at the mini roundabout, then left again onto Station Road towards Bekesbourne and Littlebourne. Continue on Station Road through Bekesbourne, passing under the railway, and onto Bekesbourne Lane towards Littlebourne. The entrance to Howletts Wild Animal Park will then be on your left after less than a mile, shortly before entering Littlebourne.

From Canterbury:

Take the A257 East towards Sandwich, and into the village of Littlebourne. At the far end of the village, and shortly before crossing the river, turn right onto the unclassified road towards Bekesbourne. The entrance to Howletts will then be on your right shortly after leaving Littlebourne.

From Sandwich (and Ramsgate / Deal):

Take the A257 West towards Canterbury, and into the village of Littlebourne. Shortly after entering the village, and just after crossing the river, turn left onto the unclassified road towards Bekesbourne. The entrance to Howletts will then be on your right shortly after leaving Littlebourne.

From Dover:

Follow the A2 North West towards Canterbury. Leave the A2 at Bridge, and continue on unclassified roads into Bridge village centre. Shortly after passing Bourne Park on your left, turn right to Patrixbourne. On entering Patrixbourne, turn left and continue through the village, then turn right onto Station Road, towards Bekesbourne and Littlebourne. Continue on Station Road through Bekesbourne, passing under the railway, and onto Bekesbourne Lane towards Littlebourne. The entrance to Howletts Wild Animal Park will then be on your left after less than a mile, shortly before entering Littlebourne.

From Folkestone:

Take the A260 North, to join the A2 at Barham. Continue North on the A2 towards Canterbury, leaving at Bridge as described above (from Dover).

From Ashford:

Follow the A28 North East towards Canterbury. Turn right onto the A2 towards Dover. Leave the A2 at Bridge, and continue as described above (from London)

By Public Transport

By Rail:

One and a half hours from London Victoria by direct train to Bekesbourne station. A minibus shuttle service runs to Howletts at peak times. During the non-peak season the minibus will run at weekends only. Please call 01227 721286 for further information and to check availability before you set off.

Otherwise, when the minibus isn't running, Howletts is a 30 minute walk (less than 1 mile) from the station along the unclassified road to Littlebourne. There is no footpath.

Data on this page last updated: Jan 19 2015

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