Turtles, Tigers and Negotiations: Our Day at Twycross Zoo (Leicestershire Style)

✈️ No Passport, No Problem

“No queues, no cancelled flights, no tiny airplane seats this time – we went rogue and stayed in the UK” roulette, we decided to switch it up.

No planes, no passports, no panic-packing.

Just a good ol’ UK-based day trip. Destination?

Twycross Zoo – our version of a family safari… but with better coffee and fewer mosquitoes.

Nestled in Leicestershire, Twycross Zoo is a conservation-focused wildlife park home to over 400 animals, with a big emphasis on primates (so naturally, we felt right at home).

It’s spacious, full of little adventures, and has just enough chaos to keep the bambinos buzzing.

🕥 Pro Tips From the Parental Trenches

Arrive early – trust me, it’s the difference between a prime parking spot and a car park that’s basically a safari of its own.

Bring a buggy… or one of those foldable beach carts – this place is big, and small legs will dramatically fold like deckchairs halfway through. You will absolutely end up chauffeuring one (or all) of them.

Pack spare clothes – if the splash park doesn’t soak them, the juice box leaks or ice cream face-melting will.

🧃First Stop: Soft Play Mayhem

The entrance is deceptively calm. Step inside, and BAM – you’re greeted by a giant soft play centre that instantly turns into a hostage negotiation zone.

You want to see giraffes. They want to cannonball into foam pits.

You want to follow the zoo trail. They want to live in the ball pit now.

Let the bartering begin.

🗺️ Treasure Hunt: AKA The Zoo Map Game

Before you lose a child to the meerkat enclosure, grab a map.

Trust me – turning the day into a treasure hunt is a stroke of parenting genius.

Get them to spot the animals, mark them off, and boom – you’ve got built-in entertainment and a sense of purpose.

Spoiler alert: Mr. Tiger was apparently on sabbatical.

So were the turtles.

Diva behaviour.

☕ Food, Glorious Food (and Bribes)

Food options? Abundant.

Coffee stations? Blessed be.

Ice cream stops? Plentiful and perfectly timed for maximum bribery value.

Whether you’re team “buy lunch there” or a proud picnic packer, you’re covered.

Loads of open grassy areas to throw down a blanket, open your feast, and pretend the wasps aren’t judging your sandwich choices.

🎡 Beyond the Animals: Extra Fun & Frolics

🐾 The Gruffalo Discovery Land

If you’ve read The Gruffalo approximately 1,354 times like I have, then buckle up for version 1,355.

It’s a walk-through trail, interactive with characters from the story, and a great way to trick the bambinos into walking more steps.

10/10 would recommend for keeping spirits high.

💦 Wet ‘n Wild Splash Zone

AKA Soaked Children: Volume 1

Let them run wild in water fountains while you ponder why you forgot the spare socks.

Bring towels.

Bring a change of clothes.

Possibly bring emotional support snacks for post-soak mood swings.

🫟 Face Painting

Animal-themed face painting station added extra excitement.

FYI: nothing says “zoo day success” like a sweaty tiger-face child devouring a £4.50 ice cream.

👣 Step Count: Through the Roof

By 3pm, I’d walked 14,000 steps, misplaced a shoe, and shouted my children’s names into the breeze approximately 74 times.

Wide open spaces = freedom for them, and panic for you.

They will run, climb, and deviate from the plan like it’s an Olympic sport.

🏁 The Verdict

All in all, a solid 7/10 family day out.

Fun for kids? Absolutely.

Educational content? Tick.

Coffee-to-survive ratio? Achievable.

Chance of losing a child in soft play? High, but manageable.

If you’re after an alternative to expensive outings or screen-time marathons, Twycross Zoo gives you a full day of outdoor fun, laughter, and very tired bambinos.

Just don’t forget the snacks, the spare clothes, and a sense of humour.

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A post shared by Sarah Ssali | Family Travel 🧑🏽‍🦱👦🏽👶🏽 (@ssaliexplorers)