About the Zoo

Blackpool Zoo is a must-see attraction in Britain’s favourite seaside resort. With more than 1,000 mesmerising animals in over 37 acres of stunning, spacious parkland you will find a haven of peace and tranquillity and a fun day out for the entire family!  

As well as coming face to face with some of the most endangered animals on the planet, you can find out about how our conservation and research projects are helping species across the globe. 

From aardvarks to anteaters, bongos to Bornean orangutans, penguins to pelicans, elephants to emus and marmosets to meerkats (to name just a few) our residents come in all shapes and sizes. Learn all there is to know about the animal kingdom as you explore the zoo and, with babies arriving all year-round, there’s always someone new to meet.

Our latest new attraction is Big Cat Habitat, one of our largest investments and underpins our commitment to first-class care for lions and tigers as well as our ongoing support of vital breeding programmes, big cat conservation charities and organisations across the globe.

Your zoo journey starts 230 million years ago as you make your way into our Dinosaur Safari. Come face to face with the terrifying tyrannosaurus rex, mighty marine reptiles, awesome pterodactyls and more than 30 other stunning prehistoric creatures.

Wander passed an erupting volcano, take in the views around the lake and pose for a picture next to our living curtain of water. Ultra-realistic sound effects and thousands of authentic living plants and trees that date back to the days of the dinosaur bring the prehistoric world vividly to life.

Project Elephant Base Camp is a huge outdoor space with rolling grass paddocks, a sanded area and a large, deep pool which all contribute to the highest standards of care and welfare for its residents, our herd of Asian elephants. Enjoy panoramic views from the raised and ground level walkways and learn about the magnificent species as you immerse yourself in an Asia inspired adventure.

Active Oceans invites you to find out about our Californian sea lions and our Magellanic penguins, both of which spend their days swimming in clear blue waters or soaking up the sun on land. Blackpool Zoo is home to the biggest sealion pool in the UK and you won’t find Magellanic penguins anywhere else in Britain.

We also take care of the only family of gorillas in the North of England, so make sure that meeting Bukavu, Miliki, Njema, Meisie, Moanda and baby Makari is on your Blackpool Zoo to do list. You can also pop next door to Orangutan Outlook, where you will find our amazing group of cheeky Bornean orangutans.

You can get closer than ever before in our walk-through exhibits including Lemur Wood, Wallaby Walkabout, World of Wings and Rainbow Landings and, if you’re looking for some peace and serenity, why not head to a quieter corner of the zoo and learn about our lesser-known animals such as the beautiful red pandas or fascinating anteaters.

With education, conservation and research at the very heart of all we do, you can enjoy a packed schedule of talks, feeds and demonstrations. When it comes to feeding time at the zoo, we have every tastebud covered! Enjoy a brew and a cake in the Coffee Shop, a tasty meal or snack from our Lakeview Café Food Court or grab a sandwich in the first Subway to open in a UK zoo. Oh, and don’t forget to buy your zoo-venirs in the gift shop on the way out!  

Blackpool Zoo are proud members of The British and Irish Association of Zoo’s and Aquariums (BIAZA) charity, who are a professional body representing the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland. Being a member of BIAZA demonstrates the zoos dedication to conserving the natural world through research, conservation and education, in doing so Blackpool Zoo hope this also inspires you, the visitor, to do the same."

"Celebrating 50 years of Blackpool Zoo!

Blackpool Zoo and the site on which it stands has had a long and varied history. 

1931-1971

In 1931 Blackpool Municipal Airport opened on the site, with the former hangar and air traffic control building still being used today as the animal hospital and Education Academy.

At the start of World War 2 it was requisitioned by the RAF and used as a parachute training centre, then 4 hangars were built to assemble and repair Wellington Bombers.

Later it became home for the Royal Lancashire Show and following the closure of the Blackpool Tower menagerie the forward-thinking council had big plans for a 3-phase, 140 acre Zoo development incorporating the new idea of a safari park.  Rising costs, however, mean that the Zoo was never developed from the original 32 acres.

1972 Blackpool Zoo opens

In a blaze of publicity on 6th July, 1972, Blackpool Zoo was opened by Johnny Morris of TV ‘Animal Magic’ fame riding to the zoo on an elephant, accompanied by the Mayor in a Rolls-Royce.  In true Blackpool fashion, it rained all day but the VIP guests enjoyed their day being treated to tours of the zoo and fabulous food.

During the next few decades, several developments were carried out under council ownership including the ever popular Gorilla Mountain and Lemur Wood.  These developments were ahead of their time and were copied by many zoos. 

In April 2003 Grant Leisure Ltd took over the management of the zoo. This resulted in major new development including a new entrance hall opening in 2005 housing a coffee shop, gift shops, lecture theatre and admissions.  The same year also saw Dinosaur Safari open and a display arena. In 2006 a disused water garden was reimagined as Amazonia – a walk-through south American themed exhibit.

In 2007, once again the zoo went into new ownership as Grant Leisure Ltd was acquired by Parques Reunidos, an experienced Spanish leisure company.   This meant more much-needed new developments, starting with the big cat area, the return of giraffes in 2008 and penguins in 2009.  The new Active Ocean sea lion pool and arena opened the following year featuring the ever-popular sea lion display.

A new Children’s Farm opened, followed by Wolf Ridge, Wallaby Walkabout, Wadders and Waddlers, Orangutan Outlook, Rainbow Landings and the biggest single investment to date was the state of the art ‘Project Elephant Base Camp’ opening in 2018. 

Big Cat Habitat is the latest development which opened in 2023.  Big Cat Habitat is one of our largest investments and underpins our commitment to first-class care for lions and tigers as well as our ongoing support of vital breeding programmes, big cat conservation charities and organisations across the globe.

Blackpool Zoo, driven by its passionate team, has always had big plans and continues to have big ambitions for future years"