yorkshirewildlifepark.com Reviews 79

I'm flabbergasted at the bad reviews of this place so have decided to write a review even though it was almost 12m ago since we visited.

We were travelling down from York back home to Birmingham and because of the early time we had to check out by, decided to stop off at this zoo on a whim and check it out.

Firstly we didn't think the price for entry was unreasonable compared to a day at a theme park for example where you queue for hours then end up maybe only going on a handful of rides if your lucky!

We entered the zoo downloaded the app as suggested which I thought was a well made app and useful and were greeted by the sea lions which were brilliant. It was amazing to see the area they had which is by far the biggest I've seen for them to swim in at any zoo I've been to before.

Other memorable animals were the polar bears (can't believe a. How big they are upclose and b. How many this zoo has.

The lions were fantastic especially watching them being called over for feeding and walking right past us nice and close.

The cheetahs were also a joy to see and how much space they had to run and play too.

Lemur woods was lovely and the play area close by gave the kids a chance to burn off some energy.

The weather was changeable but a brief rain shower may have dampened our clothes but not our experience. We took shelter in the play area as it's fairly well covered by the tree canopy and took the opportunity to have our packed lunch.

We then saw the giraffes which were wonderful spacial from the high viewing platform.

Be warned, this zoo cover alot of land so be prepared to get your steps in.

The last part of the zoo as its near the exit is the dinosaur exhibit. I've seen quite a few of these at other zoos (West mids safari park for example) and they've all never blew me away but my son who is the Dino nut in our family loved it which is what counts.

For the recent reviews of not seeing many animals I am suprised as we saw loads on our visit - maybe they aren't a fan of the recent weather or were just having an off day. They are animals after all so maybe they just had an off day!

We loved this zoo and would def return if in the area again.

Full, Frank, and Honest Review of Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Accessible Gold Member)
Membership & Arrival Experience
One of the biggest positives for us as an Accessible Gold family is being able to visit without pre‑booking. This flexibility is essential because both myself and my son are disabled, and our ability to visit depends entirely on how we feel on the day. Being able to simply get up and go on a “good day” is the main reason we chose this membership, and it genuinely makes a huge difference to our lives.
Parking is also excellent. There is plenty of space, and being close to the entrance means we can easily return to the car for medication or other medical needs. Signage around the car park seems clearer than on our last visit for the Illuminations.
Entrance & Guest Services
Once you reach the site, the main entrance is surprisingly unclear. The signage doesn’t make it obvious where you’re supposed to go, which can be confusing, especially for disabled visitors who need to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary detours.
Entering through the gates with a membership card is simple enough, but Guest Services is a major accessibility issue. The door is not automatic, and as a wheelchair user visiting guest services alone, I was unable to open it. I had to either wait for another visitor to arrive and open the door for me, or hope that a staff member noticed me waiting outside. Both situations were humiliating and stripped me of independence. It also places disabled visitors at a clear disadvantage compared to non‑wheelchair users, which does not feel in line with the Equality Act 2010’s requirement for reasonable adjustments.
Accessibility Around the Park
The park itself is beautiful and generally very accessible. However, some of the ramps are too steep, and the start/end points of several ramps are uneven. This caused my heavy powered wheelchair to tip backward at one point, lifting the front wheels completely off the ground — a frightening moment that could easily be prevented with smoother transitions and safer gradients.
Aside from those issues, the rest of the park is a pleasure to navigate. I didn’t use the accessible toilets on this visit, so I’ll review those next time.
Food, Pricing & ARFID‑Friendly Options
This is the area that lets the park down the most.
As a low‑income family, we were shocked when we got home and realised we had spent over £125 on food and drinks during one visit. This was for sandwiches, two pizzas, and drinks — nothing extravagant. Because we stayed all day to see the La Gibbons, we needed two meals, but the prices were far higher than expected.
For us, that amount is a week’s worth of food shopping, and it left us with nothing left for the rest of the week. The Gold Member discount barely makes a dent in the cost. And staff do not remind you that you have discount if you are a memmber so, you can easily forget about the 10% discount.
Food choice is also extremely limited for families with ARFID. My son simply wanted chips, nuggets, and sauce — basic, familiar food — but the only place offering that kind of food was the main restaurant, which we couldn’t afford and didn’t want to spend a long time queueing in.
During the Illuminations, the chip van was perfect: affordable, simple, and accessible. Something like that permanently in the park would make a huge difference to families like ours.
Ice cream was another issue. My son will only eat soft‑serve from a machine due to ARFID, but the prices were so high that I had to tell him we couldn’t afford it. That was heartbreaking.
If anything stops us renewing our Accessible Gold Membership later this year, it will be the food prices and lack of affordable, ARFID‑friendly options.

Overall Thoughts
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has so many strengths — accessibility in most areas, beautiful enclosures, and a membership scheme that genuinely supports disabled families. But the issues with Guest Services access, ramp safety, and especially the extremely high food prices make visits financially and emotionally difficult.
With a few changes — automatic doors, safer ramps, affordable food vendors, and simple child‑friendly options — the park could be truly outstanding for disabled and non-disabled families.

Really poor customer service, the organisation will not help resolve any issues they just want your money and once they have got that, the customer service is non existent. Avoid!

Our family recently visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park and overall had a truly memorable and enjoyable
experience. We stayed later in the day to be among the first to see the new Lar Gibbons, which was an absolute privilege. The grandmother and young grandson were a delight to watch and completely captured our attention throughout the visit.

As both a motorised wheelchair user and the parent of a child who also uses a wheelchair (assisted), accessibility is a crucial factor for us. I am pleased to say that the park excels in this area. The paths, layout, and facilities were all highly accessible, and my husband, who assists our son, found navigating the park straightforward. The only minor issue we encountered was temporary fencing that made access to the toilets slightly difficult; however, this was quickly resolved after staff overheard my comment, demonstrating excellent attentiveness and responsiveness.

The park itself is beautifully maintained, with a wide variety of animals. My son particularly enjoyed the play areas situated throughout the park, which added an extra layer of enjoyment to our day.

The only significant disappointment for us was the cost of food and drink. As a low‑income family, we had not planned ahead to bring a picnic, and we were taken aback by the prices. Our son has ARFID, which already makes finding suitable food challenging, and the lack of simple, affordable options such as basic chicken nuggets and chips or a reasonably priced burger made this even more difficult.

For a child’s meal deal, two adult sandwiches, drinks, an alternative packet of crisps for our son, and a cookie, we paid over £45. Later, we purchased two regular pizzas for approximately £22, which, while not unreasonable individually, were not sufficient to feed three hungry people. Additionally, we prefer not to spend long periods waiting in restaurants, as it takes time away from enjoying the park itself.

It would be extremely beneficial to see more affordable, quick‑service food options available throughout the park — similar to the chip van provided during the Illuminations event, which was both filling and reasonably priced. More budget‑friendly snack or chip vendors would make a meaningful difference for families who cannot afford high on‑site prices. As it stands, the overall cost of food and other purchases within the park places considerable pressure on low‑income visitors. When we reviewed our total spending at the end of the day, it unfortunately left us with a sense of disappointment.

Despite this, the park remains an outstanding attraction with exceptional accessibility, dedicated staff, and a wonderful atmosphere. We sincerely hope that future improvements to food affordability will allow all families, regardless of income, to enjoy the full experience without financial strain

We booked as a family of 8. On the 25th march 6 adults 2 under 3.
We was very dissapointed as we only saw 6 animal's in our visit .all other animal's was out of sight there is no indoor enclosure were you can see them so you spend most of the day walking round a empty park .

Went as a family of 3 for a park & hotel stay early March. The park itself was ok, like others have already stated there's not a great section of different animals to see but our daughter enjoyed what there was.

The hotel was great. Room was lovely and modern & clean. Great breakfast included in the rate. Staff were super lovely!

Went 13th March 2026, the park does have good potential and nice enough walk. It was cold and walking around trying to find animals was a joke. We went once before a couple of years ago and it was excellent with plenty of animals. However this time we could play a game of spot any animal. Seals, polar bears, 2 giraffes (indoor), 1 tiger at far back, camels and lions. This was all we managed to find, plenty of empty paddocks. Sorry will not be going again, this was a complete waste of money. We wanted to see animals but we saw more people walking around picking up litter than the animals themselves. This was a complete letdown as we arranged for my partners 60th birthday. The one good thing was the Pangea exhibit, we liked the dinosaurs. Not going again after this experience.

finally ventured out for the first time in months ,me and my son who has a severe learning disability ,adhd and profound autism was really looking forward to seeing all the animals especially the meerkats as my boy is obsessed with them .
the day was brilliant and he seemed to really enjoy himself until it came to the time to leave,we literally couldnt find our way out ,id already wheeled my son around 4 times the whole park (in his wheelchair) which the paths are absolutley not made for ,i made my way to the gift shop thinking i could get out that way after making two purchases,i was wrong , i asked at the counter while paying for the items which way is out ???
i was told to go along the long bridge ( AGAIN) then turn this way then that way ..i told both ladies there that i suffer from panic attacks and asked if there was anyone available to walk me out of the park ,almost some sort of assistance, they both point blank said "no sorry theres nobody here to do that ..but you can scan a barcode and download the app..anyone in the same frame of mind would be thinking of anything else than to do that ...eventually i found my way out and i was never more relieved to be home after the 30 minute drive back...
PLEASE think about having some sort of help for people who suffer from panic attacks,its a scary enough condition as it is without any help being available,,i usually have to have the paramedics called out to me when i have them,i took a lot for me to even leave the house but i promised my son id take him and i intended on keeping that promise.
awareness and understanding is everything.

As two pensioners we paid almost 50.00 there were hardly any animals out x but on reflection seeing 2 giraffes in a warehouse and hardly enough room outside to run it broke my heart x The polar bears looked sad and the tiger just paced up and down, these animals should be in their own habitat roaming free x so so sad for them x

Disappointed with the winter illuminations - didn't live up to expectations, especially for older teens. Food was overprice: hot chocolate was like hot water and donuts tasted like chemicals - literally made us gag! 😒 Ended up binning them. The whole experience was let down by huge puddles everywhere, more time spent watching our step than enjoying the lights. Not worth the money, sadly and definitely wouldn’t recommend or visit again! 😔

🌟 A Night of Pure Enchantment – Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park 🌟

Visited: Opening Night – 15th November 2025

From the moment we stepped into the Yorkshire Wildlife Park for their Winter Illuminations, we knew we were in for something special—but nothing could have prepared us for the sheer magic that unfolded. Having attended similar events elsewhere, we thought we knew what to expect. How gloriously wrong we were.

✨ Lights That Danced with Wonder
Every single display was a masterpiece. The attention to detail was breathtaking—each light installation felt like a love letter to imagination and craftsmanship. Not one corner was overlooked, and every twist and turn of the beautifully designed one-way walk revealed yet another jaw-dropping spectacle. It was like walking through a living storybook, each chapter more dazzling than the last.

🍟 Food That Warmed the Soul
The chip truck deserves its own standing ovation. Crispy, golden perfection topped with mouth-watering delights that satisfied three very hungry bellies. The portions were generous, the flavours unforgettable, and the joy of sharing them with my little boy—who couldn’t even finish his—was a memory I’ll treasure. It was comfort food elevated to an art form.

🎠 Family Fun Without the Fuss
The fairground rides added a playful touch, and we were so grateful they accepted card payments—one less thing to worry about! The prices were fair, the laughter was free-flowing, and the drizzle couldn’t dampen our spirits. If anything, it added a touch of sparkle to the air.

🌊 A Finale That Defies Words
And then… the lake. I won’t spoil it for those yet to experience it, but let me just say: it was a grand finale worthy of the word extraordinary. We stood there, mouths agape, hearts full, knowing we’d just witnessed something truly unforgettable.

🛡️ Unsung Heroes in the Shadows
To the incredible staff and security team—thank you. You stood in the cold and rain, guiding us with warmth and care, ensuring everyone’s safety and the wellbeing of the animals. Your quiet dedication did not go unnoticed. You are the backbone of this event, and we hope you ended your night with a hot drink, a warm blanket, and the pride of knowing you made magic happen.

🎉 Final Thoughts
The Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park are not just an event—they’re an experience, a celebration, a memory in the making. To everyone involved: your months of planning, your tireless effort, and your creative brilliance have culminated in something truly exceptional. Be proud. You’ve created joy.

We’ll be back. And we’ll be bringing everyone we know.

UNTRUTHFUL ABOUT THEIR KEYCHAINS

They put a label on my seal keychain, claiming it was an 'otter'. After an acquaintance advised me regarding the matter, I soon came to the realisation that it is a seal. Disappointed to say the least. Do better.

Pricing Scam Artisits

Went onto the website and put in the number of tickets we needed.

Prices were on the tickets but then got through and suddenly they’d jacked the price up 30%.

There were no days in the following month they would honour the original price for.

Not even like Ryanair that give you add ons for the price increase - just a bait and switch pure and simple

A spur of the moment decision to visit Yorkshire Wildlife Park proved to be a costly and disappointing decision.
If you’ve got little ones who want park areas and just to run about it’s OK. But don’t go if you expect to see any animals.
It’s extremely overpriced for the facilities/experience and I would not recommend.

Facilities for disabled very poor. Despite an online guide to accessibility I found almost all disabled toilets locked (with no guide as to how to get access), very few benches to sit and rest and no allowance for the disabled at food places. Very few toilets at all. Food places far too small with very little seating.

Lots of walking with very few signs or guide to how far next enclosure is. Lots of kiosks closed on a busy bank holiday.

Just attended a abba tribute concert. Exiting car park ridiculous 😑 no control at all. Absolutely horrible.

The day was great. Loved the little parks/play areas dotted around as my grandson has Autism and Adhd so that gave him and excuse to burn extra energy. Refreshments were overpriced but that is pretty standard as with any place like this. The reason i put 3 stars - signage or the lack of. No signage were given for people - us - who did not want to walk round with the e-map or paper map. Very poor and kind of spoiled it for us.

Zoo could be amazing if you could actually see any animals we went today. Traveled 2 hours. Paid 91 pounds for 2 adults and a child because when u look online says you need to use blue light card at the park but it's cheaper to just book online we was there and have seen probably 4 or five animals my daughter was so upset beat part was the fake dinosaurs food and drinks wow the price I understand that they need to make money for upkeep of animals but shocking prices out of all the zoos we have visited this has got to of been one of the worst would I go again nop no not at all

Bought tickets on the website costing almost £100 for 2 adults and a child. On the website it says that you could return once again with any ticket purchased.

Emailed customer experience as I didn’t get a code in my confirmation email as it stated I would. This was because I had used a 5% discount code using my Bluelight card.

Just something to be aware of if you’re looking to book for that offer .

Hardly any animals, the ones we did see looked so under stimulated and depressed, very upsetting. It has made me think twice about these places. Spent over nearly £250 on 8 tickets, bet the animals won’t see the benefit!