Bradwell Grove · Burford · Oxfordshire
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens — Walk Among 260+ Species in the Heart of the Cotswolds
Stroll eye-to-eye with giraffes, watch rhinos graze on a Georgian manor lawn, and spend a full day outdoors in 160 acres of parkland and gardens — no car, no cages in your photos, just a walk through the wild.
Quick Facts
Entry Fee
From £17.50 online (adult)
Opening Hours
10am–6pm summer, daily
Park Size
160 acres of parkland
Species
260+ in the collection
Visit Length
Allow 4+ hours
Why Visit
Why Visit Cotswold Wildlife Park
Is Cotswold Wildlife Park worth visiting? Yes — it combines a walk-through zoo, botanical gardens, and a historic manor estate in one 160-acre site, with giraffes at eye level, rhinos on an open lawn, free-roaming lemurs and peacocks, and a narrow-gauge train, all rated 4.6/5 by thousands of visitors.
Get genuinely close to wildlife
Walk the raised Giraffe Walkway at eye level, wander through the free-roaming Lemur Walkthrough, and watch White Rhinos graze the manor lawn from just a few metres away — no safari vehicle required.
A full day out, not a quick stop
Between the animal collection, walled gardens, adventure playground, and Bella the narrow-gauge train, most families plan for 4+ hours, not a rushed hour.
Gardens as good as the animals
Themed borders, mature trees, and a Victorian walled garden frame every enclosure, so it’s as much a garden day out as a wildlife one.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Free parking, every visit, with disabled and coach bays
- Dog-friendly throughout most of the Park (on a lead)
- Return to your car anytime during the day
- Online e-tickets are cheaper than paying at the gate
- Online e-tickets must be booked at least a day ahead
- Can reach capacity on peak school-holiday weekends
- Some historic garden paths are gravel, not fully level
- Bella the Train runs April–October only
Good to Know
What Kind of Attraction Is It, Exactly?
Walk-through wildlife park (what Cotswold Wildlife Park is)
A zoological collection you explore on foot, at your own pace, with animals in large naturalistic enclosures rather than travelling through in a vehicle.
| Attraction type | How you explore it | Is this Cotswold Wildlife Park? |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-through wildlife park | On foot, own pace, optional train ride | ✅ Yes — this is what it is |
| Drive-through safari park | In your own car, following a vehicle route | ❌ No drive-through route here |
| Traditional city zoo | On foot, smaller urban site | ❌ Much larger — 160 acres of parkland & gardens |
This distinction answers three of the most common questions visitors ask: is it drive-through, is it a safari park, and do you drive around — the answer to all three is no.
Meet the Animals
Meet the Animals
What animals can you see? Over 260 species live at the Park, including Asiatic lions, Southern white rhinos, reticulated giraffes, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, ring-tailed and crowned sifaka lemurs, Brazilian tapirs, Chapman’s zebras, giant anteaters, and free-roaming peacocks. There are no tigers at the Park — Asiatic lions have been the Park’s big cat since 1995.
Asiatic Lion
The Park’s resident big cat since 1995.
Southern White Rhino
Grazes the open lawn in front of the manor — the Park’s most photographed sight.
Reticulated Giraffe
Meet them eye-to-eye from the raised Giraffe Walkway.
Humboldt Penguin
Watch the keeper talk and feed daily at 11am and 3pm.
Red Panda
One of the Park’s most photogenic and popular residents.
Ring-Tailed Lemur
Walk right through their free-roaming habitat.
Things To Do
Top Attractions & Things to Do
Is it a drive-through safari park? No. It’s a walking wildlife park — you park for free, then explore all 160 acres on foot at your own pace. There is no vehicle safari route, but a narrow-gauge train (Bella) runs a scenic loop if you’d like to ride rather than walk.
Giraffe Walkway
A raised wooden walkway bringing you level with the giraffe enclosure.
Rhino & Zebra Lawns
Open lawns where rhinos and zebras graze, with picnic space alongside.
Lemur Walkthrough
Step inside a free-roaming habitat shared with several lemur species.
Bella the Train
A narrow-gauge railway loop around the Park, April–October.
Reptile & Tropical House
Crocodiles, lizards, and venomous snakes, plus free-roaming sloths and birds.
Adventure Playground
Treehouses, rope bridges and slides, plus a hands-on Children’s Farmyard.
- Walled Garden strolls
- Insect House
- Bat House
- Daily keeper talks
- Photography walks
- Picnicking on the lawns
- Gift shop
Get Closer
Animal Experiences & Daily Talks
Can you feed the penguins? Watch keepers hand-feed the resident Humboldt penguins during the daily talk at 11am and 3pm in the Walled Garden. A lemur feeding talk runs daily at 12 noon.
Plan Your Day
A Day at Cotswold Wildlife Park
How long do you need? Allow at least 4 hours to see the animal collection, gardens, and one attraction without rushing. Arriving at opening time (10am) avoids the 10:30am–12pm peak arrival window.
- 10:00amArrive & park for free, walk in past the Manor House.
- 10:15amRhino & Zebra Lawns, then the Giraffe Walkway.
- 11:00amPenguin Talk & Feed in the Walled Garden.
- 12:00pmLemur Walkthrough and feeding talk.
- 12:30pmPicnic or lunch on the lawns or at the restaurant.
- 1:30pmBella the Train loop or Reptile House.
- 2:30pmAdventure Playground & Children’s Farmyard.
- 3:00pmSecond Penguin Talk, then gardens & gift shop.
Watch
See the Park in Motion
Browse the Park’s official video library — keeper talks, new arrivals, and a look around the grounds, straight from our own YouTube channel.
Watch on Our Official YouTube Channel
Cotswold Wildlife Park Photos
Cotswold Wildlife Park Photos
A glimpse of the Park across all four seasons — from spring garden blooms to golden autumn afternoons and eye-level moments on the Giraffe Walkway.
What Visitors Say
What Visitors Say
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on TripAdvisor from 4,500+ visitor reviews
Walking the Giraffe Walkway with our kids was the highlight of our whole summer. You’re right there at eye level with them — no glass, no bars, just a few feet away. We must have stood there for twenty minutes just watching.
— John M., visited June 2025
“Brilliant value for a full day out. We arrived at 10am and didn’t leave until closing — between the animals, the playground and the gardens, the kids never once said they were bored.”
— Jeff S., visited August 2025
“We brought our dog along and it made the whole visit so much better — paths were easy to manage and staff were happy to point out the dog-friendly routes. Lovely, relaxed atmosphere throughout.”
— Ana C., visited April 2026
Everything You Need
Plan Your Visit
How much is entry? From £17.50 online (adult) / £12.50 (child 3–16, senior). At the gate: £19.50 / £14.00. Under-2s free.
| Ticket | Online E-Ticket | Gate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £17.50 | £19.50 |
| Child (3–16) | £12.50 | £14.00 |
| Senior (65+) | £12.50 | £14.00 |
| Child (0–2) | Free | Free |
Can you buy on the gate? Yes, subject to availability. Does it sell out? Yes, during school holidays and peak weekends — book an e-ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Same-day tickets? Available at the gate only; online e-tickets must be booked ahead.
Open daily, 10am–6pm (last admission 4pm) late March–October, and 10am–4pm (last admission 3pm) in winter. Closed weekdays only during essential maintenance in early Jan/Feb (open weekends), and on Christmas Day.
| Season | Hours | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (BST) | 10:00am – 6:00pm | 4:00pm |
| Winter (GMT) | 10:00am – 4:00pm | 3:00pm |
Check the forecast for Burford, Oxfordshire (OX18) before you travel — the Park is almost entirely outdoors.
Most of the Park is enjoyable rain or shine — bring layers and waterproofs in unsettled weather.
Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JJ — on the A361, two miles south of Burford, midway between Oxford (20 miles) and Cheltenham (22 miles).
By public transport: Limited — nearest bus stop is Burford High Street (2 miles); nearest train station is Charlbury (11 miles). A pre-booked taxi is recommended.
The market town of Burford, two miles north, has the widest choice of places to stay, most within a 5–10 minute drive of the Park.
- In Burford (2 miles): historic coaching inns and boutique hotels.
- Near Witney (8 miles) / Cheltenham (22 miles): wider choice of chain and independent hotels.
- Self-catering & cottages: common throughout surrounding Cotswolds villages.
- Arrive before 10:30am to beat the peak arrival window.
- Parking is free — return to your car anytime during the day.
- Coach and minibus groups have a dedicated parking area.
- Can you take dogs? Yes — on a short lead throughout most of the Park (Kennel Club “Best Day Out” award winner). Not permitted indoors, in the Bat Belfry, Reptile House, Children’s Farmyard, or the Lemur Walkthrough.
Visitor Checklist: What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes (160 acres = plenty of walking)
- Waterproof layer, just in case
- Picnic and water bottle (or budget for the restaurant/kiosks)
- Camera or phone charged — the golden-hour light on the Giraffe Walkway is a highlight
- Printed or saved e-ticket confirmation and booking reference
- Lead for your dog, and a poop bag (spares available at the Pay Desk)
Your Visitor Guide
Your Visitor Guide
For Families
Family Guide
Is it good for kids? Yes — the Adventure Playground, Children’s Farmyard, Bella the Train, and low-level animal viewing make it well suited to toddlers through teens.
- Pushchair and buggy-friendly paths throughout most of the Park
- Baby-changing facilities on site
- Adventure Playground with treehouses, rope bridges and slides
- Children’s Farmyard with a goat-petting area
- Picnic lawns overlooking rhino, zebra and giraffe enclosures
Accessibility
Accessibility at the Park
Disabled parking, permitted guide dogs, and free entry with a companion for registered blind visitors.
- Dedicated disabled parking bays near the entrance
- Wheelchairs/mobility scooters may be available — email ahead to confirm
- Registered blind visitors admitted free; companions pay standard admission
- Guide dogs permitted throughout the Park
- Most paths are surfaced; some historic garden areas have gravel or uneven sections
Food & Dining
Food & Dining
What food is served? An on-site restaurant plus several refreshment kiosks around the grounds, and you’re welcome to bring your own picnic to eat on the lawns (barbecues are not permitted).
Picnic Lawns
Bring your own food; picnic shelters available if it rains.
On-Site Restaurant
Hot meals and seating, centrally located.
Refreshment Kiosks
Snacks, drinks and ice cream at multiple points around the Park.
Our Story
History of Cotswold Wildlife Park
In 1970, John Heyworth opened Cotswold Wildlife Park on the grounds of Bradwell Grove — the Georgian-Gothic manor house, built in 1804, that he had inherited from his grandfather and was struggling to maintain. What began as a way to fund essential repairs grew into one of the UK’s most respected zoological collections. Today, more than five decades on, John’s son Reggie Heyworth continues to run the Park.
- 1804 — Bradwell Grove Manor House built in Georgian-Gothic style.
- 1949 — John Heyworth inherits the estate.
- 1970 — Cotswold Wildlife Park opens to the public.
- 1995 — Asiatic lions join the collection.
- 2012 — Reggie Heyworth takes over as Managing Director.
- Today — 260+ species across 160 acres, still family-run.
Our Commitment
Our Conservation Commitment
- Participation in European breeding programmes for threatened species, including the Southern white rhino and Brazilian tapir
- Daily keeper talks explaining each species’ IUCN conservation status
- Involvement in wider international wildlife conservation causes
- Education programmes for schools, from Early Years to Further & Higher Education
Cotswold Wildlife Park in Numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Meet Them?
Book your tickets online and save — plus skip the queue at the gate.