Description
Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park is a popular wildlife park offering some of the best things to do with kids in York. Set within a historic college arboretum, this family attraction is home to over 100 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Prices start from £5.69 for children aged (3–15) and £7.44 for adults for day tickets and season passes available through the online booking system. Families can explore outdoor animal enclosures, tree trails, and educational conservation hubs.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this venue combines hands-on learning with peaceful walks among rare trees. Children can enjoy outdoor play areas while adults take in the diverse animal collections and daily keeper talks.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- On-Site Café: A welcoming refreshment hub offering hot drinks, sandwiches, and snacks for families.
- Outdoor Picnic Lawns: Open green spaces equipped with benches where visitors can enjoy packed lunches.
- College Farm Grounds: Access to surrounding agricultural learning zones and demonstration areas.
- Historic York Proximity: Close proximity to the historic center of York and its family-friendly city attractions.
What Visitors Love:
- A calm, uncrowded atmosphere that is ideal for younger children who might feel overwhelmed by massive theme parks.
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff and students who provide brilliant educational talks throughout the day.
- A wonderful combination of beautiful arboretum gardens and fascinating animal exhibits at a budget-friendly price point.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Limited indoor shelter options during heavy rain since the majority of the walking trails are outdoors.
- Weekday visits require strict advance booking online, which catches some spontaneous visitors out.
Detailed Inventory of Park Attractions & Events
- Asian Small-Clawed Otter Exhibit: Water habitat where playful otters swim and feed.
- White-Lipped Tamarin Paddock: Specialized primate enclosure supporting endangered breeding initiatives.
- Parrot and Aviary Zone: Colorful collection of exotic birds housed in tailored mesh structures.
- Tansy Beetle Ark Sites: Conservation habitat dedicated to protecting local endangered beetle populations.
- Giant Redwood Trail: Scenic walking path winding past historic arboretum trees like coast redwoods and twisted hazel.
- Outdoor Children’s Playground: Dedicated play space with wooden frames and balancing items.
- Indoor Discovery Hubs: Educational rooms hosting school workshops and seasonal family trail sheets.
- The Arboretum Canopy Walk: Peaceful walking tracks surrounded by an avenue of Hungarian oaks.
New for 2026
- Discounted Summer Day Tickets: Special reduced pricing rates applied across general admission tiers from late June through early September 2026.
- Expanded Conservation Trails: Newly updated interactive trail sheets and signage highlighting the park's global biodiversity projects for the 2026 season.
- Enhanced Keeper Talks: Revised daily animal talk timetables focusing on endangered species and habitat preservation.
- Updated Seasonal Holiday Events: Expanded family activity schedules running through spring and summer school breaks.
18.03 miles
