If you're looking for a day out in Yorkshire with a bit more bite, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is just over an hour's drive from Huddersfield.
The 'walk-through safari' boasts exotic animals big and small for you to observe — as well as play areas, restaurants and more.
Here's everything you need to know:
What is it?
Yorkshire Wildlife Park describes itself as a 'walk-through safari', allowing visitors to see its wide range of animals while enjoying a walk through the spacious park.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has almost 400 animals and 70 different species, from lions and tigers to polar bears, giraffes, meerkats, lemurs, baboons, owls, giant otters and more.
The park also has indoor and outdoor play areas to let little ones burn off some energry! There's the Monkey Playhouse, Zoom Super Slide Barn and the Forest and Oasis outdoor adventure play areas.
Where is it?
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is in Doncater and easily reached by the M1, A1 and M18. If you're travelling by car, leave the M18 at junction three and exit onto the Great Yorkshire Way, then take the left lane signposted Armthorpe. Follow the A638, then turn right onto Warning Tongue Lane. The park is approximately half a mile along Warning Tongue Lane, just after the bridge. You'll see signposts as you get closer.
If you've got a sat nav, enter the postcode DN4 6TB, then follow the signs for the car park.
How long will it take to get there?
The drive from Huddersfield to Yorkshire Wildlife Park takes around an hour and 15 minutes.
How much is admission?
If you book tickets online, its £1 cheaper per ticket (you can also pay on the gate).
Prices are as follows:
- Adult day pass — £15.50 online/£16.50 on the gate
- Child day pass — £12.50/£13.50
- Seniors and students — £13.50/£14.50
- Children under three — FREE
What food and drink options are there?
You can bring your own food to enjoy in the picnic areas throughout the park, with an undercover picnic area near the Big Bugs Play Area for rainy days.
Other food options include:
- Monkey Playhouse and Cafe, which serves burgers and fries, hot drinks and breakfast (10am-11.30am)
- Caramba!, which specialises in Mexican food including nachos, burritos, wraps and jalepeno poppers
- Safari Cafe, which serves breakfast including eggs, porridge and full English breakfasts; and lunch — baguettes, wraps, paninis, jacket potatoes and salads and main courses including steak, smoked haddock and more.
- Tsavo Bakehouse, which offers hot pastries, sandwiches and more
- Donut Den for sweet treats, hot drinks and snacks, located near Leopard Heights
What are the opening times?
In the summer season (March 12 - October 30), the park opens at 10am and closes at 6pm. Last entry is at 5opm.
The park is open every day from 10am, all year round, except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when it is closed.
The park may also be closed in adverse weather — check the website before you set off if the weather is poor.
Days out in and around Huddersfield
