Yorkshire Wildlife Park — Attraction in Doncaster

We actually came on a good day, because some days we have been and have seen zero animals the whole day apart from Meerkats and that's only because they're trying to sell car insurance. If you come here wanting to see animals then check out the feeding times, that's when the animals are the most active although everybody in the park heads to see the feeding times so you still might nit see them, the rest of the time they're either sleeping or hiding which fair enough they will do that because they're bored, but if you pay (extortionate) prices to see animals, you want to see some animals.

A couple of moans, which is the same as most of these places, the food stalls/shops always close up to an hour and half before closing time. One burger place I asked what time they closed, after some deep thought she said we stop serving food at 4:30pm. 4:15pm was when they actually stopped serving food, that's too early, especially if you want your kids to have some tea there. We ordered 2 burgers, 1 hotdog and a kids burger and were told 15 minutes for food, there were maybe six staff, surely someone else could get on the grill, anyway the bill came to £34 with one burger, fries and a drink being £9, you are paying restaurant prices for a basic burger with fries and a drink to sit in a soft play area. We choose to find a bench outside.

After paying £80+ for tickets (with a discount) that's a bit steep. Tickets on a normal day with no discount (2adults,2 kids) were £111, factor in food and drink and that's a pretty expensive day out where you're not guaranteed to see all the animals due to the fact they are not performing circus animals, they are bored animals because most of them live in the wild and like to hunt, not be fed for our amusement. Anyway back to the price, you're talking theme park prices here and just to prove that, a quick check on Lightwater Valleys site shows we could've visited there on the same day for £83.25, a big difference especially for what we would be doing at LWV compared to a walk around a wildlife park.

Good stuff, For once, on the day of our visit to YWP we actually saw some animals, it's almost like they had read the previous reviews themselves online. We saw five Polar bears, some Meerkats, a couple of Zebras, the head of a Hyena before it disappeared for good, some camels resting, the backside of a Wolf which looked like a fox on stilts, a graceful Giraffe running, a Tiger sleeping, another Tiger sleeping, a Lion watching over his harem, some Lion cubs playing happily, a Sea Lion sleeping, some Sea Lions swimming, Wallabys wallabying oh and lots of Ladybirds which a lot of kids seemed to have more interest in. We overheard two mums saying they'd paid all this money to come here just for you to notice some Lady birds.

On a warm day it is a nice place to visit but it's far too over priced for what it is. The whole place animal closures included needs a serious clean out to make them look more presentable, most just looked scruffy.

Anyway it is what it is, a wildlife park in Doncaster not Africa so you get what you paid for, no wait a minute, you so do not get what you paid for. A fun day out but take your own snacks and drinks.

Adult tickets are from £21.50 Student/OAP are from £20.50. Bargain haha Kids from 3-15 are from £17.50 Under 3s are free. These prices are from the stated price so I guess subject to change...

Just returned from a very disappointing day at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We have visited there on many occasions in the past (though not for a long time), and have always found it to be an enjoyable experience. Since our last visit, the park has been expanded massively, with a new entrance and car parking. Sadly, the signposting for the park entrance is virtually non-existent, and we drove round the car park twice before we could work out where the entrance was. Allegedly, the car park is 240 metres from the entrance, but this must have been measured with an elastic tape measure. the path seems endless, and takes about 7 minutes to walk. On entering the park, one encounters huge enclosures, and anticipates seeing all manner of exotic creature. Unfortunately, during our visit, the majority of enclosures appeared to be completely empty. Little by little, we worked our way through the park, not seeing any hyenas, or anything else much. We did find some cheetahs, who put on a bit of a show for us, and then some Gelada Monkeys, before we walked a long distance into the original part of the park. Here, we were encouraged to see Amur Leopards (not one visible), Tigers (again not one visible) and Giraffes. We eventually found one miserable-looking giraffe, slumped in its house, but the only thing moving in the tiger enclosure was a rabbit munching on the grass. Continuing our safari, we did find an assortment of wallabies, but the lemurs in Lemur Wood looked like cast-offs from the film, "Gremlins", simply lying in a heap on the ground. So, off we went to see the Painted Dogs, usually reliable for some action. Not a sign of one animal. OK, so there's always the lions, right? Yorkshire Wildlife Park is famous for its lions. Having walked all the way round the lion enclosure that was accessible to visitors, we saw one male and one female. We acknowledge that current practice for establishments showing captive animals has gone a long way to ensure that their living conditions are much better than old-fashioned zoos, but we left with the conclusion that they now have a flexitime system in operation, and all the animals had chosen to take Monday off. At a cost per head of £25, a visit is not a mere trifle, but a significant expense. We did not get value for money, and would never return, nor would we recommend it as a potential visit to any of our friends and relatives. In addition to the rabbit, we did encounter some magpies, a large number of crows, and a...

A Wild Wonderland with Minor Navigation Quirks

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park, a gem nestled in the heart of Yorkshire, is a spectacular day out for that I whole-heartedly recommend for animal lovers and families seeking an educational and enjoyable experience. With an awe-inspiring variety of exotic and native animals, picturesque landscapes, and lush greenery, this park is truly a delight for the senses.

Upon entering the park, the excitement begins as you come face to face with the captivating habitats housing the more than 400 animals from over 70 different species. From the majestic lions of the Masai Mara to the endearing otters playing merrily in the water, there is something for everyone. The park is incredibly dedicated to conservation and education, evident in the well-kept enclosures and informative signage detailing everything from the animals' behaviours to conservation status. Animal welfare is prioritised at every turn, creating a habitat that is visually stunning and ethically sound.

The layout of the park is initially remarkable, offering you a variety of paths you can wander along to explore every exhibit. However, where Yorkshire Wildlife Park stumbles slightly is in the way it guides you through these areas. The signage can become a tad confusing at times, leading to a momentary sense of disorientation for some visitors. Clearer or more frequent direction signs could massively assist the flow of the day and enhance the visitor experience.

Considering the park's substantial size and the number of visitors it draws, it would benefit from a more diverse array of food outlets. While the current selection offers convenience, there's potential for greater variety to cater to various dietary needs and preferences. Introducing cuisines from around the world or perhaps healthier options could be key to ensuring every visitor has an appetite-satisfying experience.

The lack of seating arrangements in the food areas can be problematic during peak hours. The park attracts a large crowd, and the limited seating options can escalate into a hassle, leaving many guests standing while they eat. It would be a significant improvement if more tables and benches were made accessible, enhancing comfort and convenience for all visitors.

Despite these minor quibbles, we had an amazing time and the park remains an absolute must-visit for anyone craving an adventure in the...