Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

Kirkley Hall, Ponteland, Northumberland, NE20 0AQ, England
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens is located within the scenic Kirkley Hall campus and serves as a training centre for animal care students. Since opening in 2011, it has grown to house over 100 species, including endangered animals like pied tamarins, crowned lemurs, and dik-diks. Visitors can explore a variety of wildlife while learning about conservation.

The zoo features animals from six groups—mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatics, and invertebrates. Guests can enjoy daily animal encounters, keeper talks, and unique experiences such as feeding meerkats, lemurs, reptiles, or squirrel monkeys. There’s also a wallaby walk-through, Discovery Room, and beautiful gardens to stroll through.

Admission prices are £8.50 for adults, £6.50 for children (3–17), £7.50 for concessions, and £27.50 for a family ticket (2 adults + 3 children).

With hands-on animal experiences, scenic surroundings, and educational opportunities, it’s a great destination for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and students alike. The birthday party packages—whether enjoying a reptile encounter or a full zookeeper experience—make visits even more memorable. Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens is the perfect mix of learning, fun, and close-up animal moments.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

  • Animals: The zoo showcases a wide variety of animals across six distinct groups—Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Aquatics, and Invertebrates—each available for visitors to explore in more detail through dedicated sections. 
  • Animal encounters: We have an exciting timetable of daily animal encounters for you to enjoy. We have various keeper talks on throughout the day.Our wallaby walk-through and our discovery education room are open at selected times each day.
  • Animal experiences: You can book 30-minute experiences (£30 per person, up to 4 people) or combine two for a one-hour session at a reduced rate of £50 per person—both include zoo admission. Options include feeding and meeting the meerkats, lemurs, reptiles (in the Discovery Room, with handling), or squirrel monkeys, with time to ask questions and take photos. These experiences run at either 10 am or 3 pm and are suitable for children aged 5 and over.
  • Kirkley Hall gardens: During your visit, you can also enjoy a walk around the gardens.

Facilities

  • Food & Drinks: Kiosk available.
  • Parking: Car parking available.
  • Picnic areas: Picnic Area and Play Area available. 

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Adult: £8.50
  • Child (3-17): £6.50
  • Concession: £7.50
  • Family (2A+3C): £27.50

Pricing URL: https://northumberland.ac.uk/for-visitors/northumberland-college-zoo/pricing/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Zoo birthday party:

  • This party includes time to enjoy the zoo by yourselves and a private reptile encounters session in our Discovery room. A classroom will also be provided for you to enjoy your party food and celebrations. The birthday room will be available from 12pm on the day.

Zookeeper experience birthday party:

  • This party package allows for smaller groups of friends to experience a full day of what it is like to be a zookeeper. Shadowing one of our fantastic keepers, you will get to feed, clean, handle and health check some of our animals.

How to book: For more information and to request a booking form, please email [email protected].

Open every weekend between 10am - 4pm. Last entry is at 3pm.

Address: Kirkley Hall, Ponteland, Northumberland, NE20 0AQ, England

Post Code: NE20 0AQ

Council: Northumberland

County: Northumberland

  • By Public Transport: You can take the Arriva route 777 from Morpeth to Kingston Park, stopping at Kirkley Hall seven days a week. Buses also run to Ponteland, where you can get a taxi to the zoo for around £11.00.
  • By Car: If you are using Sat Nav, please enter NE20 0AQ. Parking is available on-site for cars and bikes.

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