After seeing the recent reviews we was a little anxious about visiting the zoo. But I can safely say we had a brilliant day out. It's a fantastic place to visit. The smaller animals are free to roam which creates some unforgettable experiences, feeding the Lemurs being top of the bunch. It was a hot day so some of the big cats stayed in the shade, but we still managed to see them and all the other animals on display. All of the toilets and facilities seemed clean and maintained. The shop was a little pricey but they all are at the zoos. The only downside was the play area looks like it's being renovated so most of the equipment was off limits. But that didn't spoil a great day out. Would definitely visit again.

Brought the kids to south lake zoo and if I'm being honest, it's totally ruined. We have been too this zoo twice before this trip and it used to be AMAZING! Animals would wonder around freely for you to pet, feed and take pictures with (which I have pictures of my son with am Alpaca). There was also a sit and ride train you could go on that went around a good section of the zoo for you too see some of the exhibits. Each exhibit was well maintained whilst holding a natural feeling and the animals were plentiful. Now though... how things have changed. The only animals wondering around are peacocks (I can go to my local petting zoo and see these) Most of the exhibits are either closed, empty, or so run down and overgrown they look like they were built at the same time as the ARK. Even the foot paths are ruined and not maintained. There's barely any animals for the size of the park and the sign posts make no sense what so ever. We followed the posts, which where meant to take us 1 exhibit, and it took us to a complete dead end. Ironically, the only part of the entire zoo that was well maintained was the massivley overpriced gift shop. Real shocking right . It takes us 2 hours to get to south lake zoo and honestly, the 4 hour total drive time that day was more exciting than the actual zoo. It has really gone down hill .

Have to say after reading all the reviews I was very concerned about going here. We turned up to an empty car park and had no queue to get in. The zoo itself was a little run down I will agree with others about this it's definitely not what it used to be. But we got to see nearly every animal in the zoo and they all seemed as happy as any animal you see in a zoo. Yes there could be more enrichment available for the animals but none looked sad and depressed. It seems like the zoo is trying to improve things slowly. Overall a really nice day. We did 2 feeding experiences. One with the red panda which was amazing. Great keeper that was friendly and knowledgeable. The giraffe feeding was also good. We feed them their Normal diet of leaves with no carrots in sight.

The zoo is okay. It's feeling very run down now though. Staff weren't really present, other than at the entrance. Advertised feeding times were either late or didn't happen at all. Signs around the zoo were worn out and completely ineligible. The zoo doesn't allow picnics or food at all. They say it's because of the free roaming animals, which there aren't many except a few peacocks. But they have a restaurant of their own. So, it felt more like they want visitors to buy their food. Could be better, but needs some refurbishment and just some overall care. I managed to get PS6 tickets as part of the summer special, but wouldn't recommend at full price.

It offers a unique and immersive wildlife experience that stands out among UK zoos. The zoo's diverse collection of animals, including big cats, lemurs, red pandas, and kangaroos, provides visitors with close-up encounters in a naturalistic setting. The free-roaming areas for lemurs and kangaroos are particularly impressive, allowing guests to interact with the animals without barriers, making the visit truly memorable. The zoo places a strong emphasis on conservation and education, with regular talks and feeding sessions that highlight the importance of wildlife preservation. This educational aspect adds significant value, particularly for families and wildlife enthusiasts. Facilities are generally good, with accessible pathways, a cafe, and picnic areas, though some hilly sections may pose challenges for those with mobility issues. At peak times, the zoo can get crowded, which might detract from the experience, and some enclosures could benefit from further enhancements to provide even better environments for the animals. Overall, South Lakes Safari Zoo is a fantastic destination for a day out, offering an engaging and better experience.

I went to the zoo with my teenage daughter and 7yr old son as we were staying at a caravan site nearby. Not advertised anywhere throughout the site so we were told about it through other holiday makers. Had it been a nice day we could have stayed there all day. Tickets are only PS5 when booking online. It's non-smoking throughout the whole park. There are some cafes open but the menu is limited. Alot of food out of stock despite being there at 10am. A good mix of animals and easy enough to navigate without a map. The kids loved it!