Name: Five Sisters Zoo
Rating: 5.0

Five Sisters Zoo

Gavieside, West Calder, Edinburgh and Lothian, EH55 8PT, Scotland

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in West Calder? The Five Sisters Zoo offers an incredible family day out featuring over 180 different species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Set in the heart of West Lothian, this popular zoo lets visitors explore exciting wildlife enclosures, watch daily feeding talks, and enjoy indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Standard admission prices start from £19.20 for adults and £14.44 for children aged 3 to 15 years old. Children aged 2 and under enter completely free of charge, making it an accessible and great-value destination for families.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines animal conservation with interactive learning, this zoo delivers. Its engaging rescue animal stories, indoor reptile house, and large adventure play areas make it a top choice for a full day of family fun.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Rescued Animal Sanctuaries: Specialized enclosures dedicated to giving rescued bears, lions, and other exotic animals a safe permanent home.
The Lost Kingdom Reptile House: Indoor tropical exhibit housing fascinating snakes, lizards, and amphibians in heated environments.
Leaping Lemurs Indoor Soft Play: Multi-level indoor soft play frame allowing children to burn off energy whatever the weather.
Outdoor Adventure Play Parks: Open-air climbing frames, swings, and slides situated right next to family picnic lawns.

Top 5 Highlights

The Brown Bear Rescue Enclosure: Watch rescued European brown bears roam, splash in their pool, and forage across their specially designed woodland habitat.
Scotland's Only Cheetah: Marvel at the grace and speed of the zoo's resident cheetah during daily keeper talks and feeding sessions.
The Lost Kingdom Reptile House: Step inside the indoor tropical zone to inspect colourful snakes, iguanas, and tortoises up close in realistic natural habitats.
The Lemur Walkthrough Forest: Walk directly among free-roaming ring-tailed lemurs as they leap through the trees and explore their outdoor enclosure.
The Farm Animal Barn: Meet friendly goats, sheep, and rabbits in a hands-on area where children can learn about domestic farm animals.

Facilities

Luggage Storage: Not available on-site; visitors should keep personal belongings with them.
Toilets & Changing Facilities: Standard public restrooms and accessible baby-changing stations located near the entrance and restaurant.
Food Options: On-site restaurant and smaller food kiosks serving hot meals, snacks, and children's lunch boxes.
Buggy Parking: Designated pushchair parking areas available outside the indoor soft play and restaurant zones.

Pro-Tips:

Arrive Early for Parking: The main car park can get very busy on sunny weekends, so arriving around opening time ensures a convenient space.
Check Keeper Talk Times: Grab a schedule map at the entrance to catch live feeding talks for the bears, lions, and lemurs throughout the day.
Bring Spare Layers: Scottish weather can change quickly, and open walking paths mean wind protection is useful even during summer months.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, toddlers love exploring the farm animal barn, watching the meerkats up close, and playing in the dedicated soft play areas, with under-3s entering free.
How long does a visit take? A standard family visit takes between 3 to 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to tour the animal exhibits and enjoy the play areas.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is in the main visitor car park located directly on-site at the zoo entrance.
How much does entry cost? General admission prices start at £19.20 for adults and £14.44 for children aged 3 to 15, while family tickets covering two adults and two children cost £56.84.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

Polkemmet Country Park: Expansive nearby country park featuring woodland trails and outdoor recreation areas in Bathgate.
Almond Valley Heritage Centre: Popular family farm and museum offering tractor rides and indoor play located a short drive away in Livingston.
The Falkirk Wheel: Iconic rotating boat lift and engineering landmark situated a convenient distance north for a combined day trip.

What Visitors Love:

Parents love the powerful rescue stories behind many of the animals, making the visit both entertaining and educational for children.
The mix of outdoor animal enclosures and the indoor Leaping Lemurs soft play ensures a brilliant day out regardless of the weather.
The layout is compact enough for younger children to walk around without getting overly exhausted.
Friendly keeper staff receive high praise for answering kids' questions enthusiastically during feeding talks.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Entry queues at the main admission desk can get long during peak holiday weekends and sunny afternoons.
The on-site restaurant can experience high wait times during peak family lunch hours.
Parking areas can fill up rapidly on busy event days, requiring patience upon arrival.

Attractions & Activities

European Brown Bear Enclosure: Large wooded habitat housing rescued bears.
Cheetah Habitat: Open viewing paddock home to Scotland's only cheetah.
The Lost Kingdom Reptile House: Indoor heated facility displaying snakes, lizards, and amphibians.
Lemur Walkthrough Exhibit: Immersive woodland zone for close encounters with primates.
Meerkat and Suricate Enclave: Glass-fronted viewing areas for watching playful mob behaviour.
Scottish Wildcat Enclosure: Conservation space dedicated to protecting native Scottish wildcats.
Leaping Lemurs Indoor Soft Play: Multi-tier indoor play area with slides and climbing frames.
Outdoor Adventure Playground: Open-air park equipped with swings, climbing walls, and slides.
Five Sisters Zoo Restaurant: On-site eatery serving hot meals, snacks, and drinks.
Zoo Souvenir and Gift Shop: Retail store stocking wildlife toys, books, and gifts.

New for 2026:

Enhanced Visitor Pathway Lighting: Upgraded paving and lighting routes across the main animal zones for smoother pushchair access.
Refreshed Conservation Signage: Modernized interactive educational boards detailing the history of the zoo's rescue animals.
Expanded Outdoor Picnic Marquees: Additional covered seating areas installed near the main play zones for all-weather family dining.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (16+ years): £19.20.
Child (3–15 years): £14.44.
Concession (OAP, Disabled/Carer): £17.46.
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children): £56.84.
Children (2 years & under): FREE.

Pricing URL: https://fivesisterszoo.co.uk/our-zoo/opening-times-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: Five Sisters Zoo offers fantastic children's birthday party packages hosted via Leaping Lemurs soft play, including a play session, private party room, and kids' food box.
Inquiries: Parties cater for groups of 10 to 25 children at £14.95 per child. Bookings and private event enquiries can be made by calling Leaping Lemurs directly on 01506 872200.

Open from 10am – 6pm (last admission 4.30pm)

Address: Gavieside, West Calder, Edinburgh and Lothian, EH55 8PT, Scotland

Post Code: EH55 8PT

Council: Edinburgh and Lothia

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

By Bus: The Harwood Church bus stop in Polbeth is a short five-minute walk from the zoo, served by local regional buses from Livingston.
By Train: West Calder railway station is located nearby, offering direct rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
By Car: Situated just east of West Calder on Polbeth Road, easily reached via local routes from the M8 (postcode EH55 8PT).
Car Parking: Free visitor car parking is available on-site directly outside the main entrance gates.