Animal Encounters

With animal attractions, zoo’s, farms, wildlife sanctuaries, areas of natural beauty, wildlife walks and pens in parks, there’s something for you and all of the animal lovers in the family in Essex.

With a visit to Colchester Zoo, you will see many species from around the world and can learn more about them at their fantastic daily encounters, giving you the chance to see the animals being fed, watch a training session or perhaps just quiz their keepers! As you walk around the zoo you’ll visit many different habitats, from the humid home of Komodo Dragons to giraffes, ostriches and zebras plus much more.

For other animal encounters head to Lee Valley Park Farms or Old MacDonald's Farm where children can cuddle and pet to their hearts’ content.

With different habitats, Essex boasts a rich variety of animals, insects and birds in the wild, and for those who prefer their animal encounters to be a little more up close and personal, there are a number of attractions featuring both farmyard favourites and exotic creatures.

Come and visit and find out all about our wonderful animal attractions.

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Number of results: 8

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1250 reviews
Sealife Adventure

Address

Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2ER

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 442200

SEALIFE@STOCKVALE.CO.UK

Southend-on-Sea

Sea Life Adventure Aquarium is the South-East’s premier aquatic attraction with over 40 unique displays featuring sea life from all over the world.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2721 reviews
Old MacDonald’s Farm

Address

Weald Road, South Weald, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY

Telephone
+44 (0)1277 375177

info@omdfarm.co.uk

Brentwood

An award winning Educational Farm Park in the Essex Countryside on the outskirts of east London with farmyard favourites and exotic animals plus indoor and outdoor leisure activities. Open all year round.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
6655 reviews
Colchester Zoo

Address

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Colchester

Home to around 180 species and set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo hosts many different habitats, from the humid home of our Komodo Dragons to our very own Africa plain, Kingdom of the Wild, home to white rhino, giraffes, ostrich,…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
303 reviews
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Address

Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ

Telephone
+44 (0)1277 201110

office@hopefield.org.uk

Brentwood

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation that cares for over 500 sick, unwanted and mistreated animals throughout Essex.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
68 reviews
Redwings Ada Cole Visitor Centre

Address

Epping Road, Roydon, Nazeing, Essex, EN9 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0)1508 505246

info@redwings.co.uk

Nazeing

Redwings Ada Cole, near Harlow, is a Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction where animal lovers can get up close and cuddly with over 80 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules – and, best of all, it’s completely FREE!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
36 reviews
All Things Alpaca Ltd

Address

Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8LX

Telephone
01245 201140

info@allthingsalpacauk.co.uk

Chelmsford

At All Things Alpaca, visitors are able to trek around the stunning orchards at Lathcoats Farm and spend time with our seven beautiful alpacas.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
320 reviews
Harlow Pets Corner

Address

Town Park, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QQ

justin.hopwood@harlow.gov.uk

Harlow

Free family day out where you can see meerkats, donkeys, pigs, reindeer, llamas, ducks, alpacas and so much more.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
108 reviews
Call of the Wild

Address

Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5QZ

Telephone
01245 324043

South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford

We bought a Zoo!! a dream has come true to own our very own zoo. Come and visit us, we care about conservation and we want to share this message by having animals that are endangered in the wild.