Reviews of Dartmoor Zoo. (Museum) in Plymouth (Devon).

Dartmoor Zoo

0 Reviews

387 Comments

Museum

Zoo

Sparkwell, Plymouth PL7 5DG, United Kingdom

Description

Information of Dartmoor Zoo, Museum in Plymouth (Devon)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

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Open hours of Dartmoor Zoo

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Reviews of Dartmoor Zoo

J. P.

Probably the best zoo we've been to. Staff were very helpful and knowledgeable, facilities were spot on, animals were active and accessible and seemed very happy and relaxed in their enclosures. Not too big so were able to do it all within a day even with kids needing to stop for ice cream or a wee every time we went past a building!

T. B.

A nice little zoo. Be warned its all on a hill! My son enjoyed his time here. The cafe was reasonably priced. Great couple of hours out while on holiday in the area. The first time I have ever been this close to a lion.

O.

The Zoo is perfect for few hours tour not all day so ideal for younger children and babies. The animals seemed comfortable and well looked after, however I wish the bird enclosures were abit bigger. There's also a cafe and a little gift shop at the back for souvenir

A. M.

Lovely Wild Animal Park with some very unusual species. Some have been rescued. Knowledgeable staff who are always willing to chat and give information. Don't expect the whole plethora of big animals, but they have big cats, zebras, tapirs, birds, meerkats, and plenty more. A moderate size park but all on a hill so be prepared to walk up and down slopes. Nice clean restaurant and small gift shop area. There are several picnic areas and children's play areas. Several enclosures were not being used and we felt this was a shame as it would have taken longer to go round if they'd been filled. We spent about 3 hours there but could have been there longer. Thank you Dartmoor Zoo!

I. C.

A zoo to visit, especially with children of all ages! A wide variety of animals, birds and reptiles, very well cared for. It is very easy to reach by bus, the station is right at the entrance. I got tickets online, directly from their website. The map received at the entrance was very helpful. If you're in the area, don't miss it! You will have very pleasant memories! I recommend!

P. H.

Booking online was easy and we arrived for opening. We decided to head for the Big Cats straight away and were not disappointed. We saw all of them as the Zoo was still quiet. Could not believe how close the Jaguar came to us. Staff were friendly and helpful. We wouldn't say it was a full day experience, but it was definitely good. We would definitely recommend others to go.

D. B.

Arrived early doors so we could get in first, not knowing how busy it might be. Parking is right at the gate, and we were greeted by a smile from one of the staff outside showing pointing us in the right direction. Once inside, the zoo was epic, seeing the Jaguar, Lions and Tiger up close was truly incredible. The birds, Wolves and reptlie area were awesome too. Plenty seating surrounded by stunning plants, bushes and trees kept us shaded during our picnic lunch before heading back down to the gift shop then down the hill and home again. If we lived closer we would defo be taking up a membership, all staff we spoke to were happy and informative, chatted with the kids about the million questions kids ask... really great experience.

R. M.

We did the VIP tour with the owner and author Benjamin Mee. He was so kind and had so much love for the animals in their care. His and the animals history was so amazing to hear and he even talks to the Jaguar in French as this is where she is from. We highly recommend this tour and the otter feed, or even just to go and visit this beautiful place.

S. H.

Beautiful location with so much room around the park, and actually within. Not a huge variety of animals, but you can definitely see why in the conservation work going ahead there. No animal is cramped for space and the environments are suited to each. Really wonderful day out and super friendly staff!

J. T.

A really lovely zoo; doesn’t feel as commercialised as others and very unique. The staff and volunteers always seem attentive and knowledgable and the animals well cared for. The cafe is basic but priced really fairly - with portions being really good for the money. A good selection of animals to see with all the enclosures being clean, tidy and tailored to the animals needs. Its almost like the zoo that time forgot; and i mean that in a nice way, its got an amazing character and feel. Despite the vast array of species to be seen - Mr Pickles stole the show for us, such a kind hearted fallow, sat with us for a fair while, a real highlight. Can’t recommend it enough.

C. M.

I love this place I've been many times and I always have the best day! The work the zoo keepers and volunteers do is incredible! Every member of staff is so friendly and take the time to say hello which is lovely. The animals are well looked after and their enclosures look natural...that's one thing I like about this zoo is that the animals look healthy and happy and they make their homes as natural as possible...not cage like other zoos! Thanks to everyone at dartmoor zoo your work doesn't go unnoticed! I think your all incredible people 😇

A. H.

One of our favourite places, every time we visit we see how far they have moved forward and how they look after the animals. Today we saw them doing lots of work on enclosures to.make life better for the animals of which is great to see. The staff are always willing to help and answer questions. It is well signposted and everything is easily accessible. You can scan a QR code and get a YouTube video with information about the animals of which is really informative. On top of everything else if you like the film "we bought a zoo" this is your place as this is the real place Benjamin Mee set up. Incredible place

S. D.

The movie 'we bought a zoo' is based on Dartmoor zoo. It's a great movie and I wanted to visit the zoo because of it. Its a big enough zoo with loads of space for the animals. Overall it was a fun day at the zoo.

A. W.

Really impressed with how Dartmoor Zoo has improved since the last visit. Relaxing atmosphere, animals are well looked after, and helpful staff. The food in the restaurant is also very good.

D. a. D. A.

WOW. Such an amazing day. So many other zoos I've visited and the extremely friendly family feel of the staff made this experience the best. We even visited chincha the jaguar and definitely worth the extra few pennies to do that.

R. W.

Today I took my Granddaughter and her friend for a zoo keeper experience. We all had a great day. The girls really enjoyed getting close up to some of the reptiles, feeding the otters and Mr. Pickles. Ray, our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. The staff were all super friendly. Lunch was great too.

B. h.

We had a very nice time at the zoo. Its not very big but there is a lot to see. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

D. P.

This is a great place for young and old alike. We had a great time with our grandson x There is disabled parking but unfortunately the spaces are not wide enough for wheelchair access unless you have the first or last parking bays!! We used my manual wheelchair and had quite a few mishaps where I nearly tipped over!! The cafe and soft play area is good as well.

M. T.

Great zoo! I had an otter feed at 3pm. Recommend coming later in the day to see all the feeds. Free parking. This is the zoo that’s based on the film we brought a zoo which I never knew till I got there! Amazing to see they are expanding things.

l.

I love this zoo! It's not as big as the Paignton zoo is but lovely place not so many people and you can see animals basically everywhere not like in Paignton! Will be back soon!

D. B.

This attraction was far better than I had expected! The grounds are well laid out and presented, the variety of animals is eclectic / varied but all seem to be well cared for and contented. I'd recommend this to anyone but the the cafe can get very busy at "traditional" meal times... Best to be prepared to eat early or later than usual to avoid the long queues.

B. W.

A lovely visit to the Zoo. The animals were well cared for and happy. Great staff and a lovely cafè, soft plat, outdoor play area and shop.

F. M. (.

Fab zoo with many different animals. Did the zookeeper for a day experience and the staff were very knowledgeable and attentive. Had a really great day.

A. L.

Amazing place, continually improving. Also a great charity to support and the real life location and owner behind the movie We Bought a Zoo. Much bigger spaces for the animals forming part of the conservation process and nice to see more unusual species like Capybyra etc. Great gift shop and educational experience too.

D. A.

What an amazing little zoo! Well laid out, fantastic enclosures, well kept with lots of enrichment and variety, all well. Keepers and volunteers enthusiastic, knowledgeable and approachable. Talks throughout the day to engage visitors and give a further insight into the animals on display and the conservation work being undertaken. The reptile House, small but perfectly formed. The big cats amazing! Lots of seating for outdoor picnics. 2 little play areas for children one with a sandpit and the other with climbing equipment / slides. The outdoor space was beautifully planted with daffodils, camilias, rhodedendrons, helibores and other spring flowers. I would recommend visiting this little gem, we really enjoyed a few hours here 😊

M. S.

Amazing place to visit. You are able to get very close to the animals for a very good look. Staff are very knowledge able and the price for both entry and food and drinks is very reasonable. Really enjoyed the day out and will be going back.

J. H.

Absolutely fantastic afternoon at Dartmoor Zoo. Poppy, one of the presenters and volunteers, introduced us to Chincha the jaguar. She certainly knew her stuff and made the whole experience very memorable. I would highly recommend this and other experiences at the zoo. They really need your support and certainly deserve all the help they can get All of the staff were so friendly, the coffee in the restaurant was amazing and I can't wait to go back again Thank you

N. 3.

We absolutely loved this zoo! We have been to mainstream Zoological parks up and down the country however this one stands way above all, the animals were all very active and could clearly see they were loved the staff particularly Jamie with pink hair was very knowledgeable friendly! If you are every in Plymouth or near enough the Dartmoor Zoo is definitely a must see!

N. T.

I thought Dartmoor Zoo was quite an enchanting place to visit. While there were some empty enclosures, there was still plenty to see, and lots of construction going on, for future projects. The staff were very approachable, polite and knowledgeable about the animals. The restaurant served good food and very reasonable too. I was happy to spend in the gift shop, seeing the proceeds going back into the upkeep of the Zoo.

P. F.

We visited this zoo during our honeymoon stay of cornwal. It was incredibly hilly, especially at the start so may not be for everyone. Choice of animals at the zoo are not too bad. A lot of the enclosures were empty, apparently due to be refurbished, some animals were very tricky to see. The reptile house was ok, but nothing spectacular. We only stayed for a few hours as done it all pretty quickly, Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, but were mostly just telling us what animals were not available to see or where they might be hiding out of sight. Overall its not too bad here.

N. J.

Lovely zoo would highly recommend it plenty to do and see lots for children and plenty of seating areas around will definitely go again

D. P.

Great zoo, right on the door step, first time visiting and wasn't disappointed, price was affordable, all in all a great visit

A. S.

Loved the place! One of the best zoos I've been to and I've been to a few!! I really liked the enclosures for the big cats, you could really see them without a fence in the way. Very steep hill to walk up, but take it at a nice easy pace and it's still a really enjoyable day for everyone. Keepers were really chatty and obviously love their jobs which was so nice to see. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

B.

Amazing just amazing! Such a lovely little zoo! I even started volunteering with them and the experience was incredible, highly recommend for a visit and definitely for any animal lovers wanting experience in a zoo!

A. J.

Good selection of animals. Fairly pricey entrance almost as much as paington zoo. Saw all big cats, lions, tiger and jaguar. Good for kids outside picnic and play area. Shop and cafe but pricey but OK.

S. B.

Only a small zoo, but was a really nice place. The animals available to see were really good, with lions, tigers and cheetahs all there to see. There were lynx and jaguar too, as well as smaller animals like capabara, goats and peacocks. The falconry display in front of the house was very good.

H. G.

Great family day out. The zoo staff are friendly and informative. The animals are well cared for. Not normal a fan of zoos, but this little zoo enables children to see close up a nice selection of animals being fed.

C. S.

We had a great day out having booked the Meerkats experience for Christmas 2019! It has just re-opened since covid. Justin explained everything before we went in the enclosure with attention to detail around risk both for us and the meerkats. The information we had been given needed updating, like what clothing to wear and we were not allowed to feed them. This wasn't a problem for us, I didn't like the idea of feeding them live creatures. Instead, Justin fed them dry cat food, which they ate from our laps. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions. It was amazing to see them up close. We felt safe and Justin took lots of pictures for us. We knew it was time to go when they left us alone. Would definitely recommend.

S. A.

Great zoo and well worth the money for a lovely day out! Amazing selection of animals for a small zoo.

M. C.

If your looking for something to do in Plymouth and you like animals you wont be disappointed. The Zoo and animals are looked after well. It is easy to find your way around and the site has lots of green plants tress and bushes to keep the area looking nice.

B. W.

Good zoo, but quite small and didn't take too long at all to get around.

I. J.

Wonderful day out. Also our sons first trip to the zoo and he loved it. Animal feeding time when you get there on the board and we saw it all.

H. M.

This is a great place for a day out. We did the Junior Keeper for the Day Experience. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. We got to see many animals from behind the scenes, helped with feeding and cleaning out as well as handling and meeting all sorts of creatures from snakes and stick insects to goats and geladas. The day was expertly led by Jess, one of the dedicated keepers who helped make the day informative, interesting and fun for the children and adults alike. We would thoroughly recommend the Zoo and the Junior Keeper Day to anyone with kids from 8 to 15.

A. C.

Thank you to all the staff for are visit to the zoo(11/08/22). From the time we arrived to when we left. Tables were reserved for our 25 children and 5 staff to eat in comfort and the children were out of the heat. Water was available throughout the day. Great workshop. The staff (especially Tim) who went above and beyond to see that we boarded our coach safely and could continue our journey home. Many thanks.

R. W.

Good zoo with nice selection of varied animals, favourites for me were otters, the tiger and falconry display/talk. No wait to get in, tickets booked ahead of time and straight in. Good talks/displays throughout the day which work for kids or adults. Minor complaint was a hell of a lot of wasps around the picnic area, possibly some nests need looking at. All round worth a visit, a great day out 👍

C. B.

Amazing day with Jamie doing the junior keepers experience. Well worth the money. So much knowledge and education for the kids and they had the best day. Not seen them this interested and happy for ages. Lovely experience holding the reptiles, feeding otters, up close with the other animals. Just a great day all round, plus a feeling of helping a brilliant local charity.

M.

Great zoo with a great view of animals! Absolutely loved seeing the tiger so closely 😍

J. P.

A lovely family owned zoo. very shaded so good for families wanting to get out of the sun. Lovely staff . I did the Big cat experience which was amazing! Good value for money and would go again

V. B.

A small but cute little zoo. Nice variety of animals, only negative is there are a lot of steep hills and the car park is also quite steep so may be a slight issue for wheelchairs/push chairs.

S. D.

Fantastic day out. Great view of all the animals and all the zoo keepers are so helpful. Going out of their way to tell us something interesting about the animals. We did the otter feeding experience and the keeper that took us was very knowledgeable and interesting in her talk about the otters. Can’t wait to come back.

L. S.

Was fantastic for all ages, from my little of 7 months to us as grown adults of an certain age. Will definitely return.

F. A. K.

Quite a decent zoo. All the animals have been kept with utmost care. I loved how easily you could spot the animals. Map guide is very helpful and easy to use. Restaurant inside is good and affordable. There is an ice cream shop which was also nice. Face painting was available in the centre which is quite fun for kids. The staff were very helpful and guidance was great.

L.

Such a beautiful zoo with lots to do and see. The staff were helpful, courteous and knowledgeable about the park and animals. It was a wonderful experience I'm planning on taking other members of my family and friends soon.

A. O.

A fascinating collection of animals, knowlegable staff and a really great restraunt. A great day out for all the family.

B. M.

Great morning out with the family, it's a nice small zoo with a decent amount of animals to view. But for myself the sight of empty overgrown pens leaves a bad impression if expect them to atleast be maintained.

p. d.

Lovely few hours spent at this brilliant little zoo definitely recommend it

P. C.

Great day out, it is worth watching the feeding and topical talks on the animals, we loved the Otters at feeding time, a sight that has to be seen!

L. H.

A lovely zoo, the enclosures are good, allowing visitors to see the animals, but at the same time, allowing good cover if the animals want it. We especially loved the lynx, who came out on cue when the talk about them started and the lion, who was actively rolling about to the delight of the visitors. Well worth the admission. 🙂

C. S.

Love Dartmoor Zoo, close to home, and they have big cats, which I love, tigers, cheetahs, lions, lynx and my favourite the jaguar, nicely laid out, not too big, a decent restaurant and at the moment a dinosaur trail, a nice day out!

V. Y.

Amazing so beautiful. They really care about the animals and make their habitats like they would have in the wild so they are comfortable

G. “.

Visited today for our first time, this small zoo on the edge of Dartmoor is about 10mins drive off the A38 near the village of Sparkwell. Entry is via a fairly steep hill to the cafe and the big cat enclosures. There is a one way system in place to control social distancing. Plenty of picnic tables, seating areas to relax and a small grassy area with a slide etc for kids to play on. The play bus and play area we're closed during our visit. You can get quite close up to the animals, Lions, tigers, monkeys etc however some enclosures were empty. The staff were amazing, so knowledgeable and welcoming and the facilities, bathrooms and cafe area were excellent and very clean. Altogether a good afternoon out with the kids.

a.

We booked a family zoo keeper day. From when we arrived we were well looked after. Charlie who was the zoo keeper accompanying us for the day met us from the front gate and was with us for the entire day. Our experience started with cleaning, feeding and health checking reptiles, insects and amphibians. From there we fed Monkeys and Otters. Charlie was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all our questions really well. The afternoon was spent meeting and handling several snakes, lizards and a hermit cab. From there we fed a friendly deer and petted goats. The zoo has several unmissable animals Jaguars, Lions, Tigers and Wolves all enclosures are spacious and well kept. My family and I want to thank Charlie and all the staff for looking after us and giving us an excellent experience.

S. S.

Haven't been here for years so thought we would give it a try again. We'll what a fantastic decision that turned out to be. The zoo is a little gem in the middle of Dartmoor, it has plenty of animals to see that have loads of room to roam. All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful throughout and nothing was too much trouble. A very enjoyable day out which I would highly recommend.

G. T.

Lovely zoo with plenty of animals, who are all well looked after and have lots of room to roam and explore. The staff are all lovely and the volunteers were all really friendly and helpful. We did the Lynx experience which was amazing. Ash and Phoebe were the keepers and they were both awesome, very knowledgeable and it was obvious they both loved their work.

J. T.

Visited midweek with 3 adults and 4 children under 4 years. Ideal time to visit as there was plenty of space for all members, from toddler to senior, to get close to the animal cages and pens. Disappointing that the lion didn't want to make an appearance but the tiger and cheetahs were very close and visible. The picnic area was tidy and the young children loved the outdoor play park. The cafe had a good soft play area which kept the young children amused. Good traditional children's menu choice.

a. s.

Always a pleasure coming to this zoo and visiting these animals ✌️❤️

R. P.

Wonderful day out for all the family. Disabled friendly. Experienced and knowledgeable staff.

J. B.

It was lovely everyone when asked were informative. Animals looked well cared for . Lots of open space for children to play everything seemed well thought out. Only criticism was the cafe/restaurant appearance not very welcoming. Coffee set up not very good. No reflection on the staff they were great. Just feel it let's the rest of this lovely place down

D. K.

A small but extremely well run and maintained zoo, the animals were all amazing and I even discovered a couple of new species I'd never heard of before. Any day where you learn something new is a good day 😎

A. D.

Small but lovely zoo. Would give it a few hours to enjoy.

J. D.

Nice place to visit. Meet the tigers was a very good experience and got up close.. Nice day out for all the family, pathways a little uneven so ware some suitable boots.. Food place on site with tea / coffee and snacks. A lovely place to visit for all the family. Parking space available tickets on entering. Lanes leading to zoo are narrow so take things slowly

p. e.

An excellent day out very knowledgeable and helpful staff Food in restaurant was good and reasonably priced

C.

Great little zoo, definitely worth it for smaller children as could complete within an hour or so. Animals look happy and healthy with more than generous enclosures! Due to Covid limited takeaway food and gifts in the shop were available but selection was still a good range and food was tasty! Only let down was not very clear one way system and a lot of construction going on at the moment

J. B.

We visited towards the end of the school summer holiday. I took my children ranging fro 5 to 15 and they all had a great time. We were greeted by very friendly staff that were polite, fun and very helpful. We will definitely be going again. Thanks to all of the staff.

k. p.

A fantastic place, full of amazing animals such as tigers, wolves, jaguar, cheetahs,birds, insects and lizards and more, a brilliant cafe with meerkats right outside, great value for money and the staff are kind and knowledgeable.

a. a.

Had a wonderful day there. Was treated kindly and made to feel special by staff. Lots to see, only downside is that it's all on a big hill.

S. N.

An absolutely fantastic place to be, nestled in the north Devon countryside, perfectly situated amongst the rolling hills of Sparkwell, the zoo is a charitable organisation that is connected to Plymouth University and offers many opportunities to learn. The people that work at Dartmoor zoo are friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. Upon entering the gates my children and I felt like we were part of something much bigger than a day out at the zoo. Before we left we became members, we will be visiting the zoo regularly and supporting its growth and the conservation projects that it undertakes. We couldn’t of asked for anymore from staff, who felt much more like friends, thank you Charlie, Josh and Alan for making me and my children feel welcome and cared for, we look forward to many more visits in the future.

L. T.

Fairly small zoo and could do with a bit of a spruce up. But reasonably priced. A pretty good amount of animals for the size of the zoo and the animals seemed well looked after. Although the film We Bought a Zoo is based on the story of Dartmoor Zoo don't expect to really see that as the film changes virtually everything (set and filmed in california).

B. G. L. O. M.

Absolutely brilliant day such a great place the keepers are so friendly and you can tell they love the animals. The enclosures offer brilliant views of the animals. There’s a very good range of animals. And yes it’s not as big as Paignton zoo but personally I think it’s better than Paignton. Easier to speak to the keepers the staff are extremely friendly. The cafe is great and the facilities are sparkling clean. Great zoo definitely will be coming back.

S. a.

I was just surfing the internet for family movies then I came across a movie " We bought a zoo". The movie' theme was awesome and engaging. At the end of the movie, the history of the true owner and the zoo was provided that inspired me to know more about this place. The zoo is a true keeper and sanctuary for rare animals with knowledgeable staff. Worth visiting. Moreover you can donate for animals also.

K. H.

Absolutely loved this zoo, the setting so beautiful, everywhere you turn something to look at, staff very helpful, friendly and informative, animals all looked happy and well looked after. Otters playing with the pebbles were super cute! Great for adults and kids too!

L. T.

EDIT visited yesterday 2 years later and wow what a transformation. Where there were weeds there are now spring flowers. The grounds looked well kept and lots of new compounds for the animals. Great new childrens play equipment. Well done Sparkwell Zoo, you were fab. I understand that this zoo relies on volunteers so I don't want to be too harsh. I was thinking that it needs some tlc especially with the stinging nettles as I had to be careful where my granddaughter was walking. I thought that it was just my opinion but I heard 2 other people say the same thing as I walked around. I hope you can get the funds to cheer it up as it's a great morning out for me and my granddaughter.

W. W.

Positives; - Good price - Has a range of experiences you can book on the day - The Cheetah experience was amazing, Justin was very knowledgeable - Pretty views of Dartmoor from the Cafe - The majority of the animals were outside during our visit (though obviously this depends on the weather etc, the animals do also have a inside space away from the crowd) - You can get quite close to the animals to see them very clearly - The Cafe served a nice variety of food for a good price - Plenty of car parking spaces Negatives; - The roads leading up to the zoo can get quite tight and congested

G. “.

Excellent day out right on our doorstep. All the staff were extremely friendly, helpful and polite. In particular Daron in the reptile house went above and beyond to show us around and provide information and advice, he left my family and I feeling very valued, Thank you. Would highly recommend this wonderful place for a day out

S. J.

Fantastic zoo and probably one of the best in the country in my opinion. The animals are well looked after and the staff are fantastic. It has got a steep hill to get up to the main park so if you struggle with walking I reccomend getting someone to drive up to the top to drop you off and then they go park the car in the main car park.

R. H.

This place is really impressive, it may be smaller but the people here really care. Highly recommend any of the experience packages especially meet the jaguar, Chincha is so impressive.

M. H.

One of the nicest zoos I've been to! We were lucky with the weather and it was a quiet day 👍 all the animals were out chilling and posing! Staff were friendly and the lay-out is easy. Brilliant!! Truly earned 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

L. E.

Myself and my 2 boys (age 1 and 2) absolutely love Dartmoor zoo, its an enjoyable experience for a single mum with two boys under 3, we have a yearly membership. They have everything my boys would like, they love the animals, the play park, the indoor soft play. The volunteers go above and beyond for you, a special thanks to Lily who always goes out of her way for my 2 year old, showing him the animals and explaining everything to him, she made our experience incredible, 5 stars for Dartmoor Zoo.

S. B.

My daughter had her 21st Birthday at the zoo today and it was a magical experience for everyone. So well organised and everyone went out of there way to make it a special day. Highly recommend for the birthday experience. Thank you everyone.

L.

What a lovely zoo! Not a very well known zoo, but it's definitely up there with the likes of Paignton Zoo and Noah's Ark. Definitely recommend! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

J. S.

What an amazing day, my girlfriend brought me here while we were on a short break, had a great time, spent the whole day mooching about and seeing all the animals, visited the restaurant for some slush puppies and a couple cartons of water, a bit pricey but worth it as was really hot.

J. W.

Lovely day out for youngsters. But beware, very steep hill on arrival so not for mobility impaired. On our visit there wasn't any transport from kiosk to zoo. A coach party had arrived of OAPs and they struggled with some so worn out from the hill, they were unable to carry on to view the animals and sat in cafe to recover for a few hours. Had there been a minibus or tractor for them I would have awarded it another star.

C. H.

Really enjoyed our visit. Very friendly staff, happy to chat and share their knowledge, the talks were very engaging. Loved seeing the detail about the individual animals, their names, character and behaviour etc. Brilliant viewing area for the big cats.

D. C.

What a little gem this zoo is! Lots of animals you would normally only see at larger zoos & not expensive to get in. All the staff very friendly & helpful. Our 3year old granddaughter loved it, especially the play area.

A. S.

Fabulous day out with my goddaughter. Paid a little more for a zoo tour with the excellent Poppy but a great place to just go without any extras. Can highly recommend a day out here. Loved it

S. R.

I am a support worker for adult with LD and they enjoyed it although pushing the wheelchairs up and down hills was not pleasant we did enjoy the time seeing the animals. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, 1 of our guys can only eat a blended diet and the staff did that for him. We was very greatful and appreciated there service.

E.

Would recommend but maybe after covid. A decent zoo with a good variety of animals, not overly expensive but not the cheapest for the amount of animals. Animals looked fairly happy in their enclosures, which were decently sized and enrichment was more than suitable for each species. Negatives would be the amount of construction going on with a few pens closed or empty, this would have been nice to know before arriving with some information on the site, this also messes up the one way system at places and makes it confusing. There is also some misinformation advertisement as bears photos are shown and there are non. Visibility of some of the animals is poor due to their enclosure positioning. Staff are lovely and friendly, very informative. Gift shop is lacking but does have some really cool ideas like pieces of chewed barrels from the big cats and wolves.

R. B.

Took my son and daughter for the otter feeding experience and it was fabulous. The keeprs where so kind friendly and warming towards the kids and I would highly recommend anyone visiting.

t. w.

Had a fantastic day at Dartmoor Zoo. Had not been for in excess of 20 years and what change. Staff where all really friendly I had a special experience and fed the Meerkat and watched at very close proximity the Jaguar being fed. So amazing to get so close to the animals and Poppy was fantastic really wonderful knowledge of the animals and lots of time for us. Thank you....

A. L.

Dartmoor Zoo is a well planned array of wild animals, on an easy route to follow via an attractive map layout sheet given upon entry. Just be advised ladies and gents, the zoo grounds are quite hilly with varying inclines. Recommend using a buggy for younger children. As it is tiring. The routes are very well sign posted and information boards about each wild animal is informative and educational. One has to accept that these animals are wild and won't necessarily want to be bothered by gaping humans! So it's pure 'pot luck' seeing them in some cases. On our visit, Friday 7th May, there were some enclosures which were vacant for various reasons, but were in actual fact being cleaned. We saw the two Cheetahs, Wolves, and a sleeping Tiger, but no Leo the Lion. Guess he didn't want to play today. There were goats, Zebras and Peackocks. A whole menagerie of wild animals to see. So it is worth a definite visit.The staff were friendly and engaging as well as informative. Though our grandchildren desired t see the reptiles. Unfortunately this was closed due to Covid restrictions. The prices are reasonable, and this zoo is a business that has been through hard times recently, as have other businesses. So you are asked when booking whether your entry fee(s) can be used as Gift Aid, or you can make a seperate donation. There is work being carried out at various places around the zoo, and areas cordoned off, but these are not too disruptive. Also the car park is under going a resurfacing programme just so you know. Getting to the zoo via Satnav is straight forward. Be weary of the country lanes. As sections leading to the zoo are deceptively narrow but safe. We enjoyed our visit here, and were lucky enough to have a nice sunny day. Well worth a visit, and the views from the various picnic areas are worth just looking at.

S. B.

Fantastic place for our early morning breakfast meetings, very much looking forward to getting more involved through their volunteering schemes. Alot of work has been done over the years and I've noticed a Huge change since my last visit. Also offers corporate events

R. s.

Quiet at the park but perfect for taking photos of the cats during cloud breaks when the sun came through.greats shots.looking forward to going back again with my pass .the helpful volunteer staff there are amazing .missy today managed to get the jaguar down to be photographed several times today .she was amazing thankyou.

C. R.

I was a first time visitor and wished I had been to this place before. It's great value and even on a wet day it was really nice and you feel so much closer to the animals than other zoos. The cafe is brilliant, some of the best food we had all holiday - better than a lot of the much more expensive restaurants we visited!

L. H.

Great wildlife park, enclosures are really big which is lovely, love all the signs around the park. Unfortunately we didn't see alot of them animals which is fine. Got round in 2-3 hours.

S. G.

The staff here are absolutely lovely. The covid layout of a one way system around the zoo works really well to ensure everyone gets a great view of each animal. Some of the areas outside of enclosures look a bit tired but likely due to restricted staff and being closed for the past few months however, most importantly, the animals looked fantastic! Really great condition and very lively. The keepers understanding of their animals was amazing too, especially a young lad in the insect and reptile house. He was so knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to listen to him explaining everything.

L.

Great value, plenty of parking, with disabled parking on site. Restaurant offers warm and cold food and drinks.The prices were not bad price, but canbe expensive if your a large family. Personally I always take a picnic which saves money and can be eaten any where in the zoo. Lots of benches dotted around the zoo and play areas for the kids. There is also grass areas for children to run freely around. Icecream hut and various toilets also on site. Massive improvements done over the years to this place, no longer looking tired, the owners/ staff/volunteers have certainly worked hard and turned this once dying zoo around and brought it back to life. Well worth the visit!

M. B.

Loved this zoo. So much knowledge from the keepers that gave talks.

D. V.

Made loads of improvements over the years. Fair few empty enclosures around and you can get around in half a day. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and really try their best to care for the animals.

B. D.

Not really wheelchair or double pram friendly ! Unless your a fitness freak you will leave to take several breaks on the hike up the hill to even get into the zoo. If your an older person or like us with a wheel chair and double pram it's a nightmare to get up ! No one at thw front entrance told us there was disabled parking at thw top of the hill ! The enclosures are so small it reminded us of Joe exotics zoo ! Cafe was way over priced so take your own food and water .. the toilets outside said they had been cleaned but there were bodily fluids smeared on the walls .. toilet paper everywhere and the smell was atrocious! I'm glad that this wasn't the main thing we booked for that day as travelling nearly 3 hours to get here I would of been extremely miffed. Won't be returning.

D. M.

What a wonderful zoo! I attended Boo at the Zoo which was a fun way to celebrate Halloween. The staff were professional and friendly. Highly recommended for families.

E. B.

Great day out..fantastic staff...Dear zoo trail and storytelling brilliant

T. I.

So when we went to visit the zoo it was a lovely day. The zoo is not very big and so only takes an hour or so to get round, but you can stay as long as you like. There is a restaurant, toilets and gift shop all rolled into one. The restaurant could do with being brought up to date as it seemed a 'little cafe like' unless that's the look there looking for. I did have a coffee here which was presented in a large mug with dried on green veg on the rim. We took it back and asked for a replacement, the gentleman apologised and poured the coffee into another cup before giving it back - not the best customer service or practice im sure. There is not a big choice in animals and some enclosures had just one or two animals in. Disabled access: we had an electric wheelchair with us and we could access most areas although it was mostly offroad. One road infront of the ice cream shed was not very flat and has many bumps and lumps and consequently, my wife tipped back after the front lifted up to go up the hill over a bump - luckily me and my family caught her and so stopped a bad accident. The three zoo keepers who saw the whole thing just in front of us, just seemed shocked and said woops.. no offer of help or support - sad really. There was a falconry show about to start as advertised on their board on arrival. When we asked a zoo keeper where the show was, she was unable to help as it was arranged by an external falconer and so didnt know where the show was, again I was quite shocked she couldnt help. All in all it was ok for the grandkids, but I feel once you've done it, you've done it. Very expensive for what it is, there are others you could visit to get a full zoo experience for not much more cost per person. I can say now ive done it.

S. B.

Nice place. Very friendly & helpful staff. Just a shame it was pooring with rain when we went. Good on a nice day would have been better. The tigers were fantastic.

G. D.

Another nice experience at that time. Very beautiful place and soundings. Plenty parking spaces. The only thing I didn't rate 5 stars is because is missing few things to make it more attractive

d. s.

Spent the day here for my birthday, had a fantastic day here ,so many changes, animals all look happy ,better enclosures ,all areas now accessible for all abilities, you can hire wheelchair or mobility scooter, but advise to reserve them in advance ,great choice of food in the cafe ,even vegan food ,and they do gluten free and dairy free foods ,also blue badge holders can park up the top great gift shop and not overpriced

D. C.

Absolutely amazing, not as big as your average zoo but a more immersive experience, everyone was very friendly on site and I got to see everything they had advertised. STAY AWAY FROM THE COFFEE VERY POOR! Lovely story! Very reasonably priced half price advance tickets!!

M. R.

I love this zoo! This place is small and friendly. It feels cozy as you are walking around taking in the rustic scenery and impressive animals. The staff are super friendly and the food in the restaurant is great and reasonably priced. Yes it's not as big or well polished as the big commercial zoos, but it feels so much better and the animals seem much more content. Come and visit, I can only imagine what Covid has done to them, but they have embraced the new world we live in and are pushing on. Come support this brilliant place!

E. G.

Love this zoo, the staff are friendly and you can see they love the animals and the animalslove them. You can get so close to the big cats that you truly realise their true size. And the otters you could watch all day. The views from the cafe are spectacular. If you have never been then is should be a must on your to go list!!!

S. B.

A really good zoo with a different approach than most other zoos. The setting makes it a great environment to see the animals roam and look peaceful and natural at the same time. Worth a visit and a good few hours can be spent here. Plenty of picnic spaces. Safety as well for those worried about Covid.

A. M.

Fantastic day out in the Feb half term Won a raffle to get up close to the Jaguar. Family loved this . Staff excellent and the smaller zoo experience was superb. Animal's well looked after and you get closer to them. Highly recommended. Weather superb. See photos here.

L. J.

Great place for a really nice day out. Staff were very forthcoming and would come across for a chat and to talk about the animals which was really great. Enclosures all looked really nice and the food was good. Came after watching we bought a zoo and it was great to go and see it. Definitely a place to go and see

C. b. a.

Fantastic day out for all people! Lovely homely atmosphere that you don't get a bigger zoos. There's a hill to start with and pushing a pram up wasn't too difficult. Lots of people in wheelchairs getting around with their helpers which is lovely to see. Very accessible for all! The staff are very knowledgeable about the animals, I've been to East Africa numerous times and thought I knew a lot about zebras but their expert was full of really interesting scientific information. We also found out lots about the 'creepy crawly' section, snakes, spiders, tortoises, stick insects etc. We've just had a nice locally sourced lunch in the restaurant, not expensive, fairly priced I'd say. They're really hot on sustainability, promoting, reduce, reuse and recycle. Also only using sustainable palm oil and in some cases avoiding it all together! There's a cute area for little ones to walk around and stroke a deer and get close to wombats. We're really enjoying our time here. Seeing the tiger swim and the lion Roooaarrrr. Can't wait for the 14:30 big cat feeding time. But for now.... We're going on a bear hunt 😊

L. A.

The zoo is well organised and there is plenty to see and do for all ages. The zoo has a great back story that is captured in the Hollywood film made in 2011 “We bought a zoo”. The restaurant is not expensive and there are a couple of picnic areas. The restaurant allows you to also bring in your own food (never seen this before). The staff are very friendly. I spoke to a member of the team about the back story. The gift shop is reasonably priced. The entry price was discounted due as visitors the National Maritime Aquarian (50%). In summary, a great day out that I would highly recommend.

R. F.

We visited for Boo at the Zoo for Halloween. The Zoo was split into zones depending on the scariest. The scarers were excellent and took their scaring very seriously. The red zones were genuinely terrifying.

B.

A really good zoo to come midweek. Plenty of different animals to see which other zoo's just don't have. Loved the enclosures for tiger lions etc. Felt covid safe. Shame that the gift shop was really lacking.

D. F.

Enjoyed our day at the zoo, although official talks werent running, there were staff dotted around the park telling us about the animals. My boys really enjoyed themselves.

T. G.

had a brilliant day out here today. daughter has always wanted to come since watching the film "we bought a zoo" got up and really close to most animals. staff very helpful. very interesting. loved it. ice cream was amazing too!

B. L. (.

Dartmoor zoo is a lovely little place with a great history. I worked here as volunteer on a team building day. That new little path near the jaguar enclosure, I helped build that!

D. B.

Brilliant little zoo. You can get so much closer to the animals than others. Knowledgeable and engaging staff. Great cafe which is reasonably priced. A really good day out. Even in February!

M. Z.

Lovely little zoo, a hidden gem. All animals looked well looked after. Enclosures enabled to see the animals from up close. Staff very helpful, well educated and friendly! Child friendly, with a spacious play area in the corner of the café. Talks and feeding times being announced in advance which really helped to make the most of the visit. Outdoor play areas proved to be very popular with the children. We've found it a relaxing place, brilliant day out! Highly recommended!

L. T.

Really enjoyed our day out. We booked for a reptile and bug experience as well for my eldest birthday. Food was fab, catered for allergies easily as well. We were there on tiger feeding day, that was a fab thing to watch too

L. R.

A nice little zoo, some enclosures were of a nice size but some felt a little small, mainly the predators but enrichment within was good. Nice variety of species which are not usually kept in a lot of zoos, good if you want to see predatory species! Staff were all nice and the amount of trees around gave a good feeling of the area being quiet and peaceful. Got lots of good photos on my camera as it was a nice and sunny day but unfortunately the ones on my phone are not so good! Definitely worth a visit if you have a spare couple of hours, entry fee is good as well.

s. j.

Had a tiger encounter for a present. amazing!! Was a hot day so not many animals out but plenty of walking around. Some parts are a little run down, but all animals are well looked after

H. R.

Just spent a fantastic afternoon at the zoo with my seven year old son. It was so lovely and peaceful and a beautiful setting. The staff were extremely friendly. My son had a lot of questions and they were very patient with him. The animals weren't all your usual zoo fare, aside from lions, and tigers and bears (oh my!), there were ostriches, racoon dogs, owls peacocks.... The bug hut was really interesting and I've never seen a Skink until today! There was a great play area with rocks and things to climb on. Great for a sunny day. And picnic benches everywhere. We also ate in the restaurant, and the food was really tasty. Can't wait to visit again!

A. B.

Spent a lovely quiet time here on a sunny autumn day. Slightly awkward to get to, but well worth the effort to see the animals in a very natural settings, as all of the enclosures are set up with the best interests of the animals at heart. This may mean you may not see the one you're looking for straight away, however its well worth perservering. Well worth taking the time to see the animals fed, especially the big cats and otters and the staff are very informative and willing to answer any questions you may have.

R. M.

Amazing place. The animals are so well looked after and have good enclosures. You can get up close to some of them too! The surroundings are gorgeous. Absolutely loved our visit.

C. S.

What an amazing zoo, although small you will never see the big cats up so close and you get to see them being fed too. The jaguar was absolutely awe inspiring we have never seen one before. The bear also something we have never seen in captivity before. We need to support these types of zoos for them to continue, the staff are amazing and only to happy to answer questions. We had a thoroughly lovely time.

M. f.

Still needs work doing to it but it's a nice 3/4 hours out with some interesting animals. My nearly 3 year old enjoyed it, she loved the converted play bus! The kids play area is a bit rubbish though. The Racoon Dogs were our favourite

M. L.

Had a great time at the zoo,been a few times now and hearing about the story and seeing the animals is great. Lots to see and do there.

L. B.

Lovely Zoo. Only let down by the lack of food choice available in the cafe. No hot food available as the kitchen had stopped doing hot food at 2pm, no sandwiches available very disappointed by the cafe. Will visit the zoo again as we really enjoyed seeing the variety of animals. Definitely pack a picnic on other visits.

A. C.

Had to book a starting time, but once in, no time limit to stay, one way system in place, Cafe closed really early, got caught out as no notification that this was the case. Great little animal park but the feeling was some of the paddocks were limited in viewing accessibility, meaning you could only see the inhabitants from a distance, still a good day.

J. L.

Lovely zoo, animals well cared for

R. B.

Fantastic family day out. Keepers very knowledgeable and caring. Animals well looked after with understanding of their needs. Not overcrowded with exhibits unlike some other zoos.

A. B.

Loved Dartmoor zoo really happy healthy animals. The enclosures don't feel enclosed. Highly recommended

s. n.

I was pleasantly surprised when I went to Dartmoor Zoo it is not too big so no one gets tired walking around the zoo the animals are absolutely amazing, you can get so close to the big cats it's unbelievable all the animals were out even though it's the autumn and they were on show all the staff were knowledgeable and helpful. everyday there's a reptile show and hold type thing at the end of every day where you can go and hold some of the Reptiles and get up close. I would highly recommend this for a day out for all ages. there is also facts which are very interesting that are dotted around the whole place. overall a fabulous day out I'll definitely be going again. I just want to add that there is a play bus which is a full sized bus that's been turned into a soft play area you can even sit in the driver's seat it's brilliant.

S. M.

Lovely zoo with lots to do and see, smaller then Paignton zoo but Ideal for the little ones with picnic area and a sml park, friendly and helpful staff, great day out, need to book online or over phone.

R. I.

What a lovely little Zoo. Well cared for and helpful friendly staff and volunteers. Good COVID measures in place for a safe visit. Had a couple of hours walking around and listening to the virtual talks, good little trip to the gift shop and for lunch and then half an hour to pop and see a couple of animals who were hiding at first. Very enjoyable visit.

S. O.

It was okay but personally I wouldnt travel to visit again, it's not overally large. Not many animals and is all based on a hill so if you want a leg work out it's great for that 😂 wasnt too much for my little boy to do there eaither. One thing it is brilliant for is if you love lions tigers ect its probably the best zoo I've been too where you can get the closest to them! Was very clean and tidy.

C. G.

Great to be able to go back and visit again. All has been really well thought out in terms of social distancing and a one way system. Unfortunately it was pouring with rain, so many of the animals were taking shelter, but even then, we could see most of them. The highlight was definitely the tigers and the cheetahs. Take away food is available.

D. W.

We had a fantastic day at Dartmoor Zoo. There were 16 of us ranging from 2-59 and all enjoyed themselves.

E. R.

A very special place. Spent an Afternoon here and we wish we had got there first thing to spend the whole day. Animals are cared for with space more than adequate for what they need. You can get very close to most of them. We were magnetised to the lion enclosure. Being that close is something very special and you are able to get to see the personalities up close, which is a rare experience. Staff were incredibly friendly, patient and happy to explain anything and everything, we happened to be looking at the wolves when the team came to feed them and that was quite a special moment. There are informative boards around at each enclosure with plenty of information on each breed. I think the zoo gets overlooked as a place to visit and maybe that is what helps maintain its charm. But it's truly a wonderful place to visit, as a family, a couple, even alone the animals provide all the intrigue and entertainment you'd need.

M. s.

Fantastic place. A must see!

P. M.

Incredible and beautiful wildlife park, stunning and majestic big cats, wolves and racoon dogs (Google them they're adorable!) It can be a struggle if you suffer with mobility though. Perhaps contacting them in advance to see if there's additional support.

B. M.

Great little zoo to visit, the animals are really easy to see and the animals that you can see the best are the big cats. Would highly recommend to anyone for a day out. The food was nice as well and not over priced like a lot of zoo's.

L.

It was okay for a day out post covid I suppose, the greenery has been left to develop and it was looking a little sorry for itself in some areas - 80% of the Animals where either asleep or not visible on the day which was a shame, the one way system needs checking daily because theres some really great parts and then some extremely confusing part i.e from the house towards the cheetah pen ~ Not very clear. The food was nice and again if we csnt eat inside but we can during "Eat out to help out" then maybe throw some extra seating outside the restaurant because theres only 4 benches and ones taken over by wasps. You have enough room inside to space tables out. I'd wait a while untill the next visit but untill then I'll try another zoo.

H. C.

Having been a visitor and now volunteering here, I couldn't recommend it enough! I absolutely adore this zoo. The setting and the animals are just fantastic. I've had many happy memories and there are many more to come :)

m. h.

Love Dartmoor Zoo... Easy to walk around even if you are disabled and you can get right up with the animals. Lovely food in the restaurant and not to pricey. Staff are helpful to....

K. V.

Really great zoo, friendly people who work there. Nice gift shop and food. The close encounters was really fun, we got to handle snakes and other animals. Big variety of animals for the size of the zoo! Deserves more customers!

T. J.

Great animals in a natural surrounding. A good variety of species and the zoo does a lot for conservation and education

H. M.

Came here on a very wet day. Didn't dampen the experience! Saw quite a few animals despite weather. Staff friendly and helpful. Reasonably priced. Spread out over some space - wear comfortable shoes!

d. b.

Great day out with the tribe. Real cheetahs, lions and tigers. Can spend the whole day here as plenty of toilets and cafes dotted around. Prices are reasonable and a lot less than other local attractions. If you are going to Dartmoor put it on your list . Well worth a visit

M.

What a great Zoo you can really get up close to all the animals Lions & Tigers etc, the admission is really cheap and a fun day out for my little family. Great as well if your a fan of the film "We bought a Zoo" and to go there and support a wonderful story. We also managed to meet the man himself Benjamin Mee who was walking through the cafe speaking to staff, we bought his book and got him to sign it for us !! Bonus !! I recommend this place to everyone and anyone who has followed the story and film please come here and carry on supporting this truly amazing Zoo.

L. C.

A great day today at Dartmoor Zoo. Plenty to see and do here. Saw the Lions, Tigers, Cheetahs and a few monkeys even though it was cold! Little playground for the kiddies also. Plenty of picnic areas for the nicer weather. Enjoyed the otters and pygmy goats also. The meerkats were a big hit with the kids!! Stopped for lunch at the café, reasonably priced and good portion sizes. Was nice to browse the little gift area also. Toilet facilities nice and clean and sufficient changing area for the babies.

W. B.

I am not a fan of zoos but took my two granddaughters aged 4 and 8 who enjoyed it. There were lots of educational opportunities and we were able to see most of the animals at close range. The enclosures were a good size and some of the animals had a companion. The reptile house was interesting and we'll worth a visit. Without exception the staff were friendly, helpful and we'll informed. There was a large comfortable cafe and many picnic areas.

H. B.

We had a fabulous time visiting Dartmoor Zoo. We used our pass from the Aquarium which gives you half price entry! The animals seem well looked after and it was a nice small zoo for my two toddlers to explore. Lots to do including a play park and nice little restaurant.

D. S.

We enjoyed our day at the Zoo. Team were friendly. Pastries in the café were amazing! Lovely playgrounds with the view to big cats. Kids were very impressed that the movie we saw before was actually filmed there! Great day out!

J. N.

I just wanted to thank you for a fantastic party for my daughters 7th Birthday! We all had a brilliant time. All the way from booking through to the day itself was a great experience, the lunch space was perfect and the zoo is wonderful. Our animal mad daughter had the best time!

L. M.

We had a lovely time visiting for the Christmas lights. Merry Christmas to you all 🎄

T. A.

Lovely little zoo. Lots going on, friendly staff. We spent the whole afternoon here and would return again if we are ever back in the area.

G. B.

Went here when driving back from Cornwall. My boys and I loved it. The restaurant was very reasonably priced as was the gift shop. The animal enclosures were big , yet you had good visibility . The staff in the reptile and insect hut were very knowledgeable and friendly

C. S.

As far as animals available to see this is one of the better zoo's, they all seemed content and the otters were hilarious! It is however very hilly! With a steep long climb from the ticket office just to the start point. Whilst there is nothing the zoo can do about the location i do think they should be offering a shuttle service from the office to the visitors centre. I know people who wont visit at all because they won't be able to make that initial walk up.

N. P.

Although it's not a huge zoo with a huge range of animals, it's a nice day out in a lovely location and doesn't take the entire day to walk around so you have time to revisit certain parts or animals or time to relax, watch the feeding shows etc. The jaguar was amazing. They have shows at various times throughout the day. Cafe and ice-cream available. Toilets, parking and childrens play area. Half price entry to the aquarium in Plymouth if you keep you receipt (within 2 weeks of visit).,

C. A. Y.

Lovely place to visit, free parking but you walk up a very steep hill to get there. If anyone is disabled then you can drive up to the top and park. Lots of picnic tables around, a cafe a fun bus for the little one's. The staff are very friendly,and great prices.

S. S.

The zoo isn't a full family day out, typically you will get around the park in a few hours. The price isn't far from Paignton Zoo which is a full family day out. Still on Plymouths doorstep and if you can get cheaper tickets its much more worth while.

I. B.

A great zoo, great animals, I loved the tiger's, chetah's, jaguar & lynx. Other animals good to. Staff were helpful & very knowledgeable. Café ok. Toilets dotted around, play bus for kids, some areas need a bit of tlc but on the whole ok.

N. F.

Really extensive collection of rare & exotic species! I've never seen so many big cats in one place, was my first experience seeing a jaguar in real life... Truly mesmerising! The prices were very reasonable and decent amount of parking. It is quite hilly so may be a bit harder for people with limited mobility.

R. S.

So this was a lovely little zoo. The staff were friendly and helpful. The animals were varied. And there was lots of chat from the staff when they came past. We were surprised at how quiet it was. There isn't a visible sign in the car park to say which direction to get to the zoo. It wasn't far, but we still managed to go the wrong way! Maybe it's just us. My toddler enjoyed himself looking at the big cats, the bear and the owl. The play area was a bit lack lustre. I think there must be some renovations on the way, as some of it was cordoned off. Oh, we really liked the otters too and we hope they get to have their babies!

S. R. (.

Dartmoor zoological Park is an enjoyable day out for the family. We went on a rainy day and practically had the park to ourselves . Around the reptile enclosure a friendly staff member was very informative about the animals.

A. C.

A great zoo with some stunning animals who are very well looked after. From Meerkats to Brown Bears, from goats to tigers this place has got it all. The site is easy to navigate & the cafe is good. My little one loved every minute of it, especially when the tigers were play fighting. Matt Damon doesn't do it justice

A. H.

Great day out for the family, saw all the big cats once they woke up! Plenty to see and do to occupy a good half day if you include some lunch, clean facilities and covid safe!

J. D.

Enjoyed our day the dinosaur trail went down well with our great niece I like the enclosures being very natural for the animals

P. D.

Well maintained. Large areas for the animals, not concrete ' cages'. Animals in good health. Ideal for families with play areas for chn & picnic benches. Friendly staff. A first class day out for the family.

S. B.

Not a massive zoo,m but if the big cats are out you can get fairy close and get great pictures.

M.

Got treated as a birthday present for a visit to the zoo because I love the film and when we moved to Devon this was a definite item on a list of things to do. So sad that when we arrived there is a great hike up quite a steep hill, then even further up to the enclosures, many of which were empty ☹️ The only mention of anything to do with the film, or the story behind the zoo is a poster outside the toilets in the cafe. Such a shame as there are many interesting parts in the film that would make the day much more exciting if they were highlighted. For example, is the tree trunk by the entrance the one that feel down in the storm and blocked the road on opening day? All in all, an ok visit😐

E. T.

Amazing little Zoo! If you don't mind walking around you'll be ok. Lovely pinic area across the grounds. There's a play bus outside by the Café. There's also petting session for smaller animals. Like snakes n stick insect.

M. P.

Excellent experience for the whole family Attended a wedding function hosted in the zoo restaurant excellently staffed Excellent food

T. C.

Fantastic Zoo. Really worth every penny. Keepers are very informative and friendly and make you feel welcome. Great animals which you can get up close. Really great day out for the family!!

D. H.

Amazing day out! So close to the big cats, well worth the money, staff very informative and knowledgeable. Gary the goat is my new mate! Be nice to gary!

L. R.

Absolutely wonderful place to visit have to say it is better than Paignton Zoo our Grandchildren loved it as did us perfect place to go

S. K.

Brilliant afternoon commentary on the falconry display was superb tigers, cheaters all the big cats Are there to see.if you Are disabled you can park at the top Of the road by the restaurant As there is a long distance up the road to the main zoo From the Gatehouse.

M. C.

This little zoo unfortunately gets too many negative reviews. Perhaps it was better in another era. If you are a couple looking for a romantic place it may not be the pace for you. However, children will love it, and so did I. In fact I heard no kids complaining. There are a few animals to talk to but the best part for my daughter and her friend is the secret fairy garden. I stood motionless holding the camera while my daughter and her friend looked through the miniature homes for fairies in the hope I capture one flying across. No luck this time, but go take the kids and have fun and if you wish take some food and have a picnic as well.

A. C.

The Dartmoor Zoo out at Sparkwell was on our to do list in the region primarily because of the movie, but also due to the meerkat experience. The zoo itself was very relaxing compared to other zoos we have been, maybe it was because it is in the middle of a national park and rolling green hills as far as the eye can see as opposed to being in a city. The zoo still offers the big cats, wolves, monkeys as well as many other animals. The encolusures are large and ffer the animals plenty of space to roam, it would however be good if or could move around at least 2 sides of more of these encolosures (the Jaguar for example is very difficult to see as only 1 side is a view point. The meerkat experience is AMAZING!!!! It is the best thing I have ever experienced in a zoo (I’ve been to Berlin, Melbourne, London who all rate highly). Having the opportunity to feed the meerkats in an intimate way (you book a timeslot for just your group). The keepers are excellent and assist in photographing whilst also telling you more information about the meerkats. If you are in the area it is worth popping in for, it takes about 2-3 hours to walk around and the meerkat experience is definitely worth the money!

T. K.

You can really get up close to the animals here. they seem happy and we had never seen big cats so close to us. Watched the tigers finding and working out how to get their food.

H. C.

A lovely time spent with my family with covid measures in place that ensured we felt safe at all times. The animals look well looked after in spacious homes.

L. G.

Really good, very hilly but a lovey zoo with plenty to see

Z. A.

A small zoo, but a nice place to explore. The place has a nice feeling and there's a nice story behind it. Read the book before you visit!

T. C.

Fabulous place for the little ones, but this zoo needs more input of visitors to help them do more for conservation of these animals.

M. Q.

Very good Zoo, saw lots of animals such as Wolves 🐺, Tigers 🐯, cheetahs 🐆 and lions🦁 and lots more plenty to see. You'd definitely need a camera or smartphone with a long zoom lens.

R. G.

A very British experience, rather similar to visiting a long established British hotel or club, sightly run down, but so comfortable with the wonderful advantage of not only being on Dartmoor, which in itself is unique, but having the chance of leisurely wandering around the informal grounds studying the animals. As our visit was during the summer of 2020 catering was, shall we say stinded, but can't wait to return especially as 9 year old grandson was so entralled as to have raised a keen interest in nature. Many thanks, keep up the good works and good luck.. Having just been on a return visit (2021), It was great to see a lot of work has been undertaken and the facilities much improved. It was better than ever!

D. S.

Really enjoyed our day out here, thought it was good value for money. Food in the restaurant was really good and pretty reasonable. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Would recommend.

A. S.

Went to Dartmoor on a Tiger experience day. Got to spend 15 mins with the Tigers close up whilst they were being fed by the keeper. Amazing experience. It was poor weather at the time though and the zoo would benefit from more indoor exhibits. A playzone for kids would be good for this eventuality.

s. b.

Great day out and lovely surroundings. What animals were out looked happy and content.

L. S.

Just visiting Dartmoor zoo for the first time, park is amazing every animal has lovely clean enclosures . We did the otter feed with a keeper called Justin and he was amazing did a very informative talk and made it an amazing experience would definitely recommend ! And thankyou again to Justin 🤟🏻 Liam and ixie

C. A.

All the animals looked well and happy, their coats were shiny and none were pacing or rocking like I have seen in other zoos. Keepers were very friendly and helpful.

T. G.

Great little zoo, plenty to see in one day but nothing too rushed. Good amount of keeper interactions throughout the day

R. S.

Really well loved animals

A. F.

Well maintained, areas seem a tad small for the animals but they are well looked after. Listening to the animal talks and feeds shows they keep the animals brain working. Map isn't very clear but it was nice just to walk around. Would be a good picnic day out. Take cash for ice cream

N. W.

Not the biggest zoo in the world, but they are always getting new animals that many local collections don't have. They're also doing a lot of great work for local wildlife, such as helping to rehabilitate hedgehogs.

w. u.

Brilliant day out, really relaxing, informative signage on every enclosure, really well priced on site restaurant, honestly the best burger we have ever eaten anywhere,it's worth visiting just for the restaurant food🙂👍👍💕

h. s.

Was pouring with rain so most animals were sheltering inside not to be seen felt some of the enclosures were a bit small. Nice cafe and gift shop friendly helpful staff

c. b.

What a lovely zoo, the animals are so beautiful. Me and my family had a lovely day. Would definitely recommend.

D. R.

Brilliant. Love Dartmoor zoo. Great to see the animals. Great work done by zoo staff there and through their conservation work. Please support them.

M.

Great little zoo and well worth a visit

D.

This is a great little zoo with lots to see, and if you didn't know already, it's the zoo the film, I brought a zoo is based on. The owner still works there, he was clearing tables in the restaurant when we were there. The only thing that stops it getting 5stars is disabled access isn't great, some paths are very ruff and it's very steep in places, if your carer is very fit you'll be OK, if not electric buggies is needed and a spare battery, as it will drain very quickly coping with the hills. Otherwise great day out and also lots of play equipment for the kids if they get bored with the animals, staff very helpful and passionate about the zoo and they work.

s. H.

Beautiful... This is what paignton zoo used to be like years ago, but has such a better vibe and love it. Perfect for children 😊 awesome day out 😊

N. S.

Great selection of big cats in large enclosures. Seeing the wolf pack's group howl was one of the best zoo displays I've seen.

N. S.

Lovely zoo with well kept animals and friendly staff despite shortages they were always available for questions kids had a great day

S. K.

Lovely little zoo. Took 5 kids, age range 3-13yrs! They all loved the different animals.

S. C.

Great day, very good zoo

S. P.

Lovely day out, well worth it

C. T.

Very limited range of animals here. Several big cats, and to be honest not much else to get excited about. On the plus side, the ticket prices are very reasonable. Student discount available. The cafe was nice, and the staff were very keen to engage and answer any questions about the animals. It's a nice, cheap few hours out, but don't be expecting anything spectacular.

S. H.

What a great day out... Friendly staff and amazing animals..

G. T.

Really good environment for the animals housed here, and friendly informative staff too. Well worth a visit if you're in Devon.

l. k.

We had a great family day there. We could not believe how close we came to the animals! Kids loved it

C. W.

Amazing experience, I didn't expect such an exciting day out, well organised and very easy to access all areas even with my mobility issue.

F. T.

Fantastic family day out! Very happy animals in lovely natural enclosures. Lots of places for them to hide if they wanted to but most didn't. You feel you can get very close to the animals here. The keepers,volunteers and staff are a delight. There are lovely areas for picnics and play (we could watch the tigers and cheetahs while we ate) but it isn't too commercialised. Unlike anywhere else I've ever been you can leave without being forced to go to the shop , which by the way is nicely stocked and not ridiculously expensive. Our kids loved it and so did we.

j. h.

"We bought a zoo" territory, a lovely time, plenty to see. Visited in my old classic tourer for a special event the zoo put on for disabled children. A great zoo for all the family, friendly and informative staff and plenty of animals in sympathetic enclosure's.

S. H.

Great zoo to visit but not on a hot day as all the animals (and quite rightly so) are hiding in their houses 😊

R. P.

A great day out for the family. Small zoo but a full day out with some unusual animals, engaging talks and up close experiences

M.

Great zoo with several exclusive animals. Park is very clean and the people are lovely. Price a bit high but the restaurant is very good.

R. T.

For those of who wish to see some unusual wild animals, Big Cats, and some lovely wolves all up close, in great condition and well looked after, then this is the place for you! I have been to several Zoos around the UK and abroad, including Edinburgh, Chester, Longleat, and Whipsnade ZSL to name a few, and all are brilliant in their own way. Dartmoor Zoo doesn't have the funding of any of the above mentioned zoos, so it's appearance is more rustic being set into the woods at the top of a hill. It is the best one I have been to for viewing up-close the Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, and Wolves!!! A great little zoo with 'Hayley' the big brown bear! And just how big is that Lion?!?! Judge this zoo by it's passionate owner and staff and amazing big animals. For those expecting a nicely polished 'theme park zoo' with rides for their kids... you will be disappointed. For those who love a little family run zoo with goats, ostrich, zebra, tapyr, Jaguar, Tigers, Lions, wolves, meerkat, Lynx, monkeys, otters, etc, etc, etc, and `Hayley', you'll absolutely love it! Great work Benjamin Mee. My wife and I applaud you. We visited in late September 2018 after the worst storm in years expecting a shambles, but the animals were great, and in good spirits. Top job to all involved.

M. D.

Had a great time, I fed the Tapiers and then went up and met the Jaguar what an animal so majestic and powerful

S. S.

I took my grandsons, they absolutely loved and managed to wear themselves out, that itself is a miracle, so thankyou Dartmoor Zoo.

T. D.

It is very rustic and the environment is very natural, not too commercial you can get very close to the animals, there was a lot of improvement work going on so quite a few enclosures were empty.

c. l.

Great place and the staff are nice. However, it is just a bit small, you can spend a half-day there.

D. H.

Wonderful small zoo. Staff are very friendly and chatty. Large cafe. Big cats were easy to see and all animals looked well cared for / enriched/ happy/ healthy. Steep walking in places and muddy in places.

F. G.

Just the most quaint relaxing place you'll ever go, it's quiet unless the animals are roaring etc, with nice food and ICE CREAM!! A great place for couples of a whole family! Friendly staff and beautiful animals. Definitely a must go and male sure you watch the film 'We bought a zoo'.

L. M.

So great to see the animals well cared for. Lovely little zoo, we will be back again

N. T.

Keepers were very happy to share their knowledge. Our toddler loved the day out

J. H.

A fairly small zoo but still a wonderful place the big cats are amazing and the enclosures are wild with overgrown grass and flowers making everything feel the little bit different from most over zoos. The weather wasn’t amazing but we still managed to see most animals.

C. T.

Lovely day out. Lots of walking. Perfectly placed animals to keep children interested on their walk round. Loved the dear zoo walk around and the staff were so helpful and happy to answer questions

K. C.

Really good zoo not an all day type i was there for 4-5 hours but it is worth it and food prices are quite reasonable. There is a steep hill to climb up from the carpark to the zoo but there is plenty to see on your way up. A few animals there that i have not seen before x

T. L.

Recently been to boo at the zoo and can honestly it was a lovely experience and never laughed so much in ages

M. G.

The animals are kept nicely & look healthy. There are empty enclosures around. The workers are very friendly & knowledgeable. They are always willing to talk & engage with you even when working.

E. Y.

Such a lovely well kept zoo. Everytime we go, something has changed and improved. I love this place and the volunteers are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone and everyone..

A. Y.

Animals all look happy and healthy with lots of enrichment, really nice to walk around.

O.

Small Zoo, big character. Great day out, but some days not all animals are out making some of it seem empty. Very good for the price.

L. M.

Really good value for money. We meet a voluntary member of staff (didn't get his names, but he only works on a Wednesday) by the Otters, he was really informative and explained all about the otters and other animals in the zoo. The big cat's were amazing and you can get really close up.

E. M.

Great experience. Knowledgeable keepers talking about some of the animals at various times of the day. Not busy during our visit is early September, the park had a personal feel to it and we saw all the main animals and got so close to them! The park also has a nice dinosaur trail for small children, which our little one really enjoyed.

d. b.

We were lucky enough to get tickets to Dartmoor Zoo's Christmas light evening. We go a few times a year normally. Loved the effort the team have gone to, lots of covid safe measures in place and lots of friendly staff on hand. Would highly recommend going!!

K. G.

Had a fantastic time as a keeper for the day but also managed to have good look round. Would highly recommend as a fascinating informative family day out

K. S.

Great day out. Staff were lovely. Lovely place to visit. I bought my son in law who lives in Texas and he was amazed at the location and atmosphere. We had a great day out. We'll worth another visit.

W.

Such a lovely place for all ages to visit. It was pouring with rain on our visit in mid Covid and not even that combination could take away the magic of the zoo. So definitely visit and help support this amazing place. Buy the DVD of the film ( We bought a zoo) while your there and get the history of the amazing family that didn't give up on the animals

M. D.

What a lovely zoo,met up with one of the volunteers , Henry who explained things of the animals and reptile closures . Got to say his knowledge and polite friendly manner was amazing making the visit well worth .l wish Henry best for his future he deserves it .

D. D.

Lovely place to visit. Closes a bit early for this time of year 4pm. It's worth a walk around at 330pm as you leave

K. D.

Had a wonderful day exploring the Zoo. Animals looked healthy, clean and well fed. Staff were easy to talk to and very enthusiastic. Great day

C. E.

I had a Lovely Experience at The ZOO with my friends and our Staff from my day centre

K. Q.

Fantastic day out as always. Can't believe I don't visit more often living as close as I do. Reasonably priced & plenty to see. Lionesses were fed today which was great to watch. Highly recommended day out.

D. M.

A lovely place to visit the children liked the zoo but no lions was aloud out until 2pm or the big cats alot of people was standing around as you could hear them in there enclosure. Same as the monkey was not aloud out as windy but if a monkey was cold they would choose to go inside I think its a little unfair to advertise the animals then to be told not till 2pm there actually aloud out

H. C.

Lovely attraction. Nice small zoo in lovely countryside with a good range of animals. We visited on a rainy day but still got to see lots and the kids also really enjoyed finding the dinosaur statues. We listened some of the keeper talks which were interesting. We could only book a 1pm slot as morning was sold out so raced round a big towards the end to see everything. It would be better if the zoo shut at 5pm maybe in peak season and on a weekend especially if you are only able to book an afternoon slot.

D. R.

Great place for a visit, not massive but easy to walk around (with hills). The cafe is big and good food and drink.

P. d.

Great half day out.kiss loved it the hills tired them

P. C.

Great day out. Social distancing meSures are exceptionally good. As you have to book in advance, not too busy, making sociL distancing easy. Animals content and healthy, big cats are amazing.

A. A.

Lovely place. Friendly staff and a nice place to visit, especially when the weather is nice

C. S.

Great day out for the family up close with the animals and clean welcoming park

A. c.

Lovely little zoo, good variety of animals to see. Coping well with new social Distance rules.

A. P.

Dartmoor zoo is the zoo where the film we bought a zoo was based on. It is different from other zoos in the way it is laid out and how big the animal enclosures are massive. Talking to the keepers you can tell they have a real relationship with the animals and they truly Care. Great little on site cafe not overly priced.

K. M.

Lovely zoo, really enjoyed it, friendly staff, clean and very well kept and of course animals were BEAUTIFUL ❤️ special thanks to the young volunteer called Callum who was AMAZING XX

L. G.

Been coming here since the 1980s. Lived in Sparkwell village for a while. We always love to visit.

S. D.

Lovely zoo, friendly staff and nice animals. Well worth the visit

D. S.

We visited for the Tiger and Jaguar experience. The keepers were great...experienced and knowledgeable. They showed us a deep appreciation and respect for the big cats. We would definately recommend a visit to others.

R. P.

Good a bit wet so a lot of animals indoors don't blame them.

S. C.

A good selection of animals but not as big as other nearby zoos 😊 the baby wallabies were to die for 😭😁😁😁

C. A.

Lovely day out. Such a well cared for and loved zoo and animals x

c. t.

Fantastic little zoo, blown away by the cats ( very lucky to see them all out) and all the others , otters hilarious waiting to be fed, ostriches comical , great size compact , and we'll laid out, but lots of paths so doesnt feel small nice amble round 3-4 hours , prices for drinks etc looked more than fair , considering a captive audience For some reason having only lived around 45 mins away in Torbay , so my first ever visit, don't let anyone knock this place , I've Paignton zoo on my doorstep for 55 years , this to me is better , no disrespect to Paignton , admission price , considering what your paying to see , again more than fair , your keeping animals alive and well, not lining any pockets , just go!!

L. P.

Great place for children to visit. A few of the animals were having a snooze as it was HOT!, don't blame them. Nice restaurant with a varied menu, toilets and a small gift shop. Disabled parking is through the gate, not in front car park. Hired a mobility scooter as it's quite hilly for those of us who need one, £5 hire and £20 returnable deposit. Nice day out with young grandchildren.

A. B. (.

We love this zoo, we have been to zoo loads and love to see all the animals up close.

H. R. D.

Honestly one of the best zoos I've been to not as much walking as enclosures are closer together

S. B.

Love seeing all the animals, perfect place for a nice walk lovely scenery too

L. H.

Had lovely time

C. L.

Very friendly, helpful ad informative staff many of whom are volunteers. Beautiful location, would strongly recommend a visit.

N. W.

Amazing day at DZS, we went mid week in November so it was quiet but we had the best day, plenty of animals to see and very informative and friendly staff, Ray (one of the volunteers) spent loads of time with us telling us about the history of the zoo, all about the animals and was a pleasure to talk to. We had lunch in the Jaguar cafe which was reasonably priced and tasty, where we also found the gift shop which again was priced well with good quality items (including a lovely framed picture of a tiger taken at the zoo). My wife and I enjoyed every minute of our visit and will for sure be back next time we are in the area.

J.

Really good zoo. Friendly staff and nice enclosures. Would recommend.

L. G.

I just watched the movie "We Bought a Zoo" from a suburb just outside of Chicago Illinois/USA - I'm going to watch it for a second time right now and my hope is to one day soon take a trip just to see and be a part of this amazing story/adventure and more importantly, meet the family who saved such beautiful animals!! What a great 💗 story for adults/kids/teens - movie night!! 🍿

S. T.

They have updated so many of the enclosures and gave so many new animals, its incredible

R. F.

First visit and doubt the last. Having grown up going to bigger safari parks and then smaller city zoos it was a relief to see that though not huge this one is more of the Safari park vein, decent sized enclosures, contented animals with knowledgeable keepers, emphasis on understanding the individual animals and their wider conservation including native habitats and sustainable business practices. Must have been a good day as we didn't realise the place was closed and we were still there watching the big cats whilst our small wild things played, staff found it amusing thankfully and the capybaras even came out to say goodbye!

R. J.

Great family day out. Local zoo to us and has a place in our hearts. Not the largest zoo but very personal which makes it stand out from the rest. Superb staff including volunteers! Well worth a visit for the young to the old!

J. M.

Fabulous, staff freindly and information of animals etc. is good. Lovely place, and we will be back

T.

My little one very much liked the zoo. It is a smaller zoo than Paignton but that does mean that it is much quieter. I do often wonder about enclosure sizes as they do seem small for the big cats, but the lions and tigers do seem to spend most of their life sleeping.

J. D.

There was an array of animals but also many empty enclosures. Strange set up in the reptile house. Had to wait about 10 minutes and then the staff member followed us round reading the information on the boards to us. The cafe was poor quality and service. Odd to see staff working with animals, then doing DIY and then serving food and drinks.

G. H.

A great place to visit

p. w.

Found this to be a disappointment as quite a few enclosures empty and having work done. One way system was not very clear as other people confused also. What animals we did see we enjoyed once all finished should be a lot better.

P. E.

Visited on a hot Saturday. Long walk up the steep driveway but worth it when you get to the top. Relatively small zoo but perfect for younger children. Staff were so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. A wedding was taking place whilst we were there which prevented us from using the restaurant (we were informed of this) so we had a picnic and there were plenty of picnic tables to sit at. Only issue was the toilet facilities - with the wedding using the main facilities we were confined to a small block of two loos which quickly got busy and a bit unsavoury! Feeding time for the big cats was popular and entertaining. Worth keeping an eye out for feeding times if other animals as they are otherwise often hiding away.

S. T.

We really enjoyed the zoo. It was very good to see the big cats and the wolves out and enjoying themselves. It's a small zoo, but we had a great morning.

C. C.

Love this place, worked there many years ago, and now Ben has done an amazi g jib of making the zoo what it is now

T. B.

Loved the place and enclosures very generous to the animals. Managed to get a sighting of the Male Lion which was great. Kids loved it!! Not sure why time slots available at the same prices as we only had a 1300 booking which was the only downside, but lovely place.

D. M.

Great day out .Bit of a climb not much good for disabled or. elderly.Lots of picnic areas.

S. B.

Love coming here as a family. We try 2 come once a year as me and my family love it. Staff are friendly and the food is great and well worth the money same as drinks. They have a nice little gift shop 2. The animals look very healthy and happy and most of them love seeing visitors young and old. They have facts and names of the animals aswell by there enclosures and there is also a nice picnic area with a little slide and play area 4 the kids. Well worth the money 4 a family day out.

A. M.

We went to the Christmas night at the zoo. The Christmas lights were lovely, unfortunately no pens were lit up so we were unable to see any animals. Luckily one of our party had a torch so we were able to glimpse a tiger. The paths were not very well lit, which was a problem for my husband who is on a mobility scooter. Staff were very friendly. Food wasn't bad but not great and quite pricey.

B. B.

Really nice zoo great day out facilities are excellent for uts size.

R. S.

Well-managed by friendly staff. Not the largest of zoos, but big enough for a relaxed day visit. Food in cafeteria of a good quality. Suggestions for improvement/enhancement: one or two viewing platforms and perspex screens instead of all chain link fence, especially round the big cat areas, would have enriched the experience and afford better opportunities for photography of the animals. But we'll worth a visit!

I. S.

What a lovely place! Very kind and engaged staff, wonderful with children. Looking foreward to come back and see how everything developes further from old to modern.

P. R.

Really good for big cats. Quite a small zoo so half a day enough to visit

D. T.

We have an annual pass and love it here, all the staff are so friendly and helpful. The food in the restaraunt is good too. The children love it and especially that they have a bear.

s. b.

Love it here, good food and great Big cats 😊

R. C.

Excellent experience, numerous big cats, lions, tigers, jaguar, lynx and cheetahs. Great variety of other animals, reptiles and insects. Helpfull and friendly staff, nice restaurant and separate coffee ice cream shack on site. Site is also being gradually improved and redeveloped but this did not detract from the enjoyment.

D.

Bought my girlfriend the zookeeper experience and we both loved it. The keepers who looked after us were all very friendly and knowledgeable and we learned loads of things that you normally wouldn't on an ordinary trip to the zoo. Would recommend.

m. h.

My grandchildren were junior keepers for the day and had an excellent time the young lady looking after the children was amazing very patient professional and cheerful. We had a meal there and we all enjoyed that obviously the animals were the main attraction and they were very well looked after an amazing time was had by all.

A. C.

Lovely day great value for money animals,are really well looked after will definately return

D. L.

Plenty of parking available when we arrived. The animals had large enclosures which was nice to see. Good variety of animals although not the best but they were all very well looked after. The staff and people who were working there were all really lovely, chatty and helpful. There is a restaurant on site to eat in or take out and there was plenty of space. Overall a pleasant experience.

M. S.

Had a fantastic day with my husband and grandson. We hadnt been since it first opened many years ago when grandsons dad and our other children were young. We were very impressed with the lovely natural surroundings all the animals were in and they all looked so healthy . the staff were so friendly and helpful . Everything lovely and clean. Food very nice in the cafe..the only downside were the loudly screaming children in the soft play area while we were eating as we could only find a table right beside it. We are planning an annual trip at the end of our busy time at our riding establishment and we finally get 2 days off per week. My husband even said he would love to volunteer there but he forgets all the work our ponies require even on our days off. I bought my self the book (as did grandson) and video and would come again sooner if I could. Keep up the good work !

A. W.

Considering it was raining there were only a couple of animals that didn't want to come out. It was worth the trip out as it is a lovely little zoo.

A. S.

Not all animals visible, especially hedgehogs. Some impressive exhibits, e.g., lynx.

P. G.

Small but interesting and diverse, with friendly staff and plenty to experience

D. C.

I love Dartmoor Zoo because the animals are so well looked after and you can get much closer to them than you can at larger zoos . The staff and Ben the owner are all very friendly and will always take time to talk to you and answer any questions you have about the animals.

S. B.

Very friendly staff lovely zoo good day out

M. E.

Amazing place, with animals in a natural setting... Get up close and personal

B. D. G. (.

Old fashion zoo but as charm. Love my day there. Great day out.

m. c.

This is a lovely zoo,The staff are really friendly and knowledgeable.

L. N.

Always a joy. Get so close to the animals. You dont get lost and it is tidy

A. G.

Great day out. Very hilly so worth wearing sensible shoes

J. F.

Lovely zoo, animals in well spaced paddocks. Staff happy to talk to you.

A. H.

Good variety of animals and engaging staff. Sustainable mission statement and absence of a corporate presence was refreshing.

M. B.

A fantastic place for a visit, looking forward to be going again.

d. j.

We visited yesterday and loved the relaxed feel and positive vibe and ethos of DZP as well as the inspiring story behind all it is today. The staff and volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable and had time to spend with us and other visitors. Set in beautiful grounds with stunning views, it's clear that animal welfare was at the heart of all they do. Impressed too by the refreshments available and how reasonably priced everything was. Lovely family day out.

K. A.

Absolutely fantastic the zoo is just the right size for small children

C. B.

My favourite place to visit!... all the animals are well cared for

R. T.

Lovely place, lots of animals which look well looked after. Great to see improvements and developments happening. Staff we interacted with were very kind and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend for a day out!

S. M.

I hope they make the enclosures bigger for the animals. Too many cages did not seem large enough for the bigger animals. I understand COVID has taken effect but the enclosures looked over grown and unkept. The workers you could see were volunteers with genuine care for the amazing animals this zoo has. I hope it gets the funding the zoo and it’s animals deserve.

S. W.

A really lovely place with lots of animals to see. The staff were really friendly and we heard the otter talk which was informative. The zoo needs a lot of investment but I appreciate that is hard to find! The tropical house closed before closing time which was disappointing. My main gripe is that we went online to book tickets and were told the earliest available time was 1pm. However we turned up and they just let people in the queue pay to go in...so if we turned up earlier I'm sure we could have just paid on the day. Overall a good day out though

D. F.

Plenty of animals to interest the little ones. Disappointing weather but an enjoyable experience still.

K. S. R.

Great zoo. Lots of different animals with some really informative talks.

H. M.

Enjoyed visiting this charming, friendly zoo. It's well laid out with little play areas and climbing equipment dotted around the leafy enclosures. The emphasis is on simulating life in the wild and there are plenty of guides around who are happy to tell you more about the animals and their care - the animals themselves all seemed content and properly looked after. Highlights for me were spotting a lynx extracting her lunch from a challenge ball, and watching the otter tribe enjoying a spot of crab - what a treat! I got a bit bamboozled by the one way system on the map - ignore that and follow the signs instead.

A. K.

What can I say? I loved every minute I spent at Dartmoor Zoo... Truly a great experience for the whole family. The staff is polite and very friendly (and helpful).

P. D.

Great for family days out staff very friendly well kept .

K.

An amazing zoo with a wide variety of species. The staff were extremely welcoming, especially the young man studying the zoo diploma working in the reptile building, very knowledgeable and always smiling. Would 100% recommend a visit.

d. o.

Visited on the 5/6/2021. This is a smaller zoo, but compared to what it was 10 years ago the zoo has made massive strides to get better and better. The zoo collection is growing and the enclosures are being upgraded. Didn't have food, so cant comment on that. But generally a great zoo. The staff and zoo should be proud of what they have, are and will achieve. Definitely going back to our local zoo.

A. N.

The best zoo we've been to we loved all the animals

V. M.

It's a smaller zoo but we took small children so it was perfect for them. The food sold was tasty and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Admission is pricey for the size of the zoo but you know that the money goes back towards the upkeep of the animals.

J. L.

Great day out but the animals enclosures were a little disappointing. You could see alot of stereotypical behaviour of animals kept in captivity which showed how bored the animals were. Seems like they could have done with a lot more enrichment. Good prices in the gift shop and cafe. Definitely worth the entry price if you get 50% off by going to Plymouth aquarium 1st but wouldn't pay full price. Loved the added Dino trail and activity pack for the kids.

K.

Amazing zoo, Absolutely love this place, staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Good atmosphe, enclosers are good sizes for the animals, just a great environment :)

A. R.

What a fantastic place. I took my family there for a day out and what a day out it was. There was so much to do and see. Plenty of outside picnic areas but also a very well priced restaurant too and the food was delicious. We had an amazing day out and would highly recommend families go and see the amazing animals.

S. G.

What a lovely, chilled out place. Some great animals - our youngling loved the otters and also enjoyed hunting out the dinosaurs at various points. Decent value entry fee. We didn't eat there so no comments on the 'Jaguar' cafe.

J. S.

Amazing place, really lovely keepers and enclosures

A. G.

Just an excellent day out, great fun. Cafe not a rip off.

Z. R.

Great animals there and very relaxing trip for family

L. F.

Great place to visit. Quite enough to enjoy properly but certainly not a full day out.

C. N.

Beautiful setting, Amazing how relaxed all the animals are. Inspiring

S. H.

I love this zoo, friendly and knowledgeable keepers and relaxed animals.

N. R.

Sadly not the best experience. We visited after seeing a leaflet whilst visiting the area mentioning that the film "We brought a zoo" with Matt Damon was filmed there. Upon arrival the lad in the ticket booth couldn't have been less interested or enthusiastic. We entered paying this no mind, still excited to look around and see the animals. We found many enclosures closed and noticed the Tigers pacing, which is usually a sign of stress which was a bit worrying. We often visit zoos as a day trip, with Whipsnade being our nearest but on this visit we were in and out in about an hour. We didn't see many staff on site but the friendliest we spoke to were those in the restaurant / shop. It's not sign posted terribly well to the zoo but the Satnav luckily doesn't fail. It's very tucked away. Perhaps we visited at the wrong time of year or too early, I'm not sure, but we expected more and left feeling a bit underwhelmed. The highlight was watching an otter loving life juggling a pebble for a few minutes.

B. H.

Very nice and small zoo. Customer service and knowledge of animals to a very high standard. 100% recommend a day at Dartmoor Zoo.

w. e.

Big cat experience was amazing. All the staff are so knowledgeable, Alex and Nicole the keepers we worked with are amazing.

S.

Great zoo, great story behind it highly recommend a visit

S. S.

Good for kids. Not much animals in there

J. H.

Really liked ,amazing gem especially if you know the history of the place ,friendly staff and volunteers ,a really good selection of animals ,be a bit difficult for disabled people even on a scooter i think they would have difficulty all up hill and some of terrain would be rocky ,reasonable price also very impressed ,will be returning

s. f.

Amazing place staff are doing a great job went round many times and loads to see that you may have missed. Staff go the extra mile Justin one of the keepers finished work after park closed pulled up and asked if we needed a lift as had missed the last bus. We were not waiting for the bus but very kind of him. It really is a must visit spent a lot of time photographing the big cats and loved it stayed from open to close. The food was out of this world I recommend the cheese and bacon burger was cooked to perfection. Will definitely visit again very soon thank you to all the staff.

K. L.

Beautiful zoo, lovely layout with plenty of animals. Plenty of green space and lovely grounds. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers which made a great trip even better. Highly recommend if nearby

M.

Hidden Gem. Fascinating array of fairly rare animals. Have been to a few other zoos and must have seen 5 new animals at Dartmoor Zoo that I'd never seen before. Staff were all very helpful and friendly. Looking forward to going back already.

V. E.

Been to dartmoore zoo twice now each time on holiday it's not a big zoo but as equally as enjoyable

A. L.

Loved it! Shame the bears didnt come out but will defo b back in the summer :)

J. D.

Loved getting up close and personal with the animals great restaurant

B. B.

It was the best place I've ever been it was my first time it was the best xxx

R. R.

Lovely place, the animals seem happy. Ideal for the kids, lots to see.

m.

Not a massive place but a fantastic afternoon out I loved it

J. G.

Great day out and much cheaper than most zoos

A. M.

Loved it. Work in progress in terms of landscaping. Staff really informative and love their job by the looks. My favourite was the Jaguar

J. J.

As always, a lovely relaxing time at the zoo. Great to see some new enclosures have been built and can't wait to visit when the hedgehog hospital has been finished. Tasty snacks at reasonable prices.

R. S.

Staff were very friendly and willing to share their knowledge. The man in the reptile house was walked around with us and told us all about them. Animals look very well and happy. Only let down is the lady serving ice creams, she wore gloves, as should for food hygiene, but handled money, receipts and everything with the same gloves on.

A. L.

A lovely zoo and all the animals actually made an appearance!

N. M.

Loved it here. Had a great afternoon visit. Bit steep walk at times but so worth it. Nice cafe.

E. R.

Not very accessible for wheelchairs as it's all quite a steep uphill. Quite a few enclosures were closed due to rehabilitation or covid restrictions. I think the admission price should be reduced to reflect this. However we enjoyed the rope course, and the otters 😊

S. P.

Bit of a hike uphill from car park. Done tiger experience, bit disappointing for money. A very knowledgeable man Alex took us, spoke bout the tigers and fed them in front of us, that was it no offer for us to feed them. If I had stood closer to gate I could have heard what he said about tigers, watched him feed the tigers and saved myself over £100. Overall lovely place, really friendly staff.

S. W.

Amazing. My son and I were Big Cat Keepers for the day. The experience was amazing and the staff that looked after us ( Alex and Catherine) were so friendly and knowledgable , they helped to make our day great. Thank you.

T. G. B. (. g. b.

Its good to see new things are being added and built support this place as the staff work really hard and it's a great place to visit. Me and the family enjoy going back again and again and whilst there this time I donated to the hedgehog rescue fund. We fully intend to go back 😁 soon there is a new dinosaur attraction in the works we look forward to seeing it.

H. B.

Fantastic place, well looked after animals.

R. T.

A small zoo with a limited amount of animals. It's very hilly so quite hard going for little legs, but there are plenty of picnic areas to stop and have a rest. The animals seem well looked after and are quite chilled out so good for picture. The staff and volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The cafe has a basic menu but is priced fairly, the same with the gift shop. It was worth a visit for us as under 3s are free so it wasnt too pricey for what it is. A nice few hours out with the kids.

C. M.

We had such a fun day out... I love the story to this place... make sure you watch We Bought A Zoo before you visit...

J. J.

Not a large zoo, but one with an excellent layout and a range of fascinating animals that enjoyed the sunny July weather as much as me. New social distancing measures were really well thought out properly observed and worked even with a fairly large attendance. Definitely worth a visit and a leisurely afternoon to stroll around. Hope to go back soon.

s. p.

Enjoyed our visit, went on a tiger experience day, had a drink and lunch and it was excellent, tiger keeper very knowledgeable!

A. C.

Very enjoyable, loved the Wolves and Otters in particular.

L. H.

Fab zoo ...good prices ....animals are amazing ..would recommend . . Kids would live it

E. S.

Great afternoon out. We went at the 1 o'clock slot and had plenty of time to see all the animals before closing. Very clean facilities and nice restaurant if you need food. Ice cream shops on the route around. Good value for money too.

I. C.

Quite small and didn't take a huge amount of time to get around, but we were drawn by the "We bought a zoo" thing. Not a bad half day out. The range of animals is quite good, with some obscure additions. If you are visiting, they have a scheme with the National Aquarium where if you visit both, there is a discount. Both being worth a visit.

C. H.

Had a lovely day at Dartmoor zoo. Happened to of received the Otter feeding experience as a Christmas gift, would recommend as a gift. We found Charlie, the keeper, to be engaging and knowledgeable. Also currently there is a dinosaur hunt there which added a nice extra.

J. R.

Glorious on a sunny winter's day.. close up Tigers were great

m. j.

Very lucky with some of my photos, just good timing. Brilliant zoo we felt so much closer to the animals. Friendly helpful staff one big family.

m.

We picked the wrong day as it was windy and a lot of the animals dont like the wind! However for our grandsons 1st zoo experience it was good fun. Set on a hill so plenty of uphill walking. You can park at the top if you have a disabled badge. All in all a good 3hrs of fun.

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