Mini Zoo
Meet our resident meerkats, marmosets and minibeasts!
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PLEASE NOTE Wildcard holders - the period of time we are closed will be added onto the end period of your Wildcard plus an additional month free of charge. Thank you for your continued support during this process — we can’t wait to welcome you back once the works are complete! |
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Lots of improvements have been taking place at the Mini Zoo during its closure - see below for details. For up to date information on the other ongoing improvement works taking place at Williamson Park please refer to our dedicated webpage here. |
Whilst the mini-zoo is closed, we have been working on lots of improvements, enhancing both the visitor experience and the habitats for our animals. In the cave and guinea pig areas, new features and artwork bring a fresh new feel, while the butterfly house has been brightened with additional flowering plants to better support and attract butterflies. A new chrysalis tank has also been installed, helping to improve hatch rates, alongside a newly added tank within the butterfly house itself. Elsewhere, enclosures for meerkats, marmosets and rabbits - as well as the cave interior - have all been given a fresh coat of paint, and new fencing has been introduced around the mammal area to improve the environment and safety.
Animal welfare has remained a key focus, with fresh grass turf laid for guinea pigs and rabbits, along with new homes, tunnels and shelving to enrich their spaces. The mammal pond has been rebuilt, with plans to introduce a small waterfall using reclaimed rocks, and the zoo has welcomed new additions including grass rats and cave fish. Once reopened, visitors will also notice an upgraded entrance and new interpretive features such as the spinning wheel sign and magnetic boards in the cave. Behind the scenes, significant infrastructure work continues, with the old heating system now removed as installation of a new system progresses. Ongoing support from the Friends of Williamson Park, who tend the zoo garden every Thursday, ensures the setting continues to look its very best.
Activities will be taking place around the park during Insect Week (22 - 28 June), with a Conservation & Wildlife Day taking place at the Ashton Memorial on Sunday 21 June.
Admission
Entry to the Mini Zoo & Butterfly House
- Adult £5
- Child £3.50 (under-3s free)
- Family of Four £14
- Family of Six £20
- Concessions/students £4
Annual family pass - Wild Card
- £60 for up to 2 adults and 2 children unlimited entry for a whole year
Opening hours
We are open all year round except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
- April to September: 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.15pm)
- October to March: 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.15pm)
- *Please see details of temporary closures above
Guided tours
The Mini Zoo & Butterfly House is a popular destination for school trips where guided talks are available. These cover the diet, habitat and life cycle of these beautiful creatures and can include a handling session with some of our other resident animals. To book please call us on 01524 33318.
Accessibility
The Mini Zoo & Butterfly House are fully accessible to wheelchairs.
Meet the keeper!
Each weekend and every day during the school holidays at 11:30am you have the chance to meet our zoo keepers, and get even closer to some of our animals. You can learn about an animal’s lifecycle, diet, native habitat and will have the chance to ask as many questions as you like.
