Bradwell Grove, near Burford, Oxfordshire
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
Unusual place
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
Full day
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A 160-acre Cotswold parkland setting where a listed Gothic manor, formal gardens and an extensive animal collection share the same landscape.
The draw is the unusual combination: giraffes at eye level, lemurs on a walkthrough, and rhinos grazing in front of a Gothic listed manor house. The gardens and parkland give the animal encounters a strong sense of place, making this more than a straightforward zoo visit.
Family-buzz · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBradwell Grove, near Burford, Oxfordshire
Opening map…
The experience
Give this a full day if you want to explore beyond the headline animal encounters. Prioritise the Giraffe Walkway, Madagascar walkthrough and Walled Garden, then check the day’s talk and feeding schedule. The park also has a listed manor-house backdrop, gardens and a train ride.
Things to do
Walk the Giraffe Walkway
Use the raised walkway to see giraffes at eye level.
Explore the Madagascar walkthrough
Walk through the Madagascar exhibit where lemurs roam freely.
Visit the Walled Garden
Explore the garden’s animal areas and check the advertised penguin talk and feed times before your visit.
See the rhinos against the manor-house backdrop
Look for rhinos grazing in front of the Gothic listed manor house, with the ha-ha between the viewing area and animals.
Ride the park train
Take a ride on the park’s narrow-gauge train; check current operation and timetable on arrival.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow at least 3 hours
Quick escape: the animal highlights
- 01
Check the park map and current schedule on arrival.
- 02
Prioritise the Giraffe Walkway and Madagascar walkthrough.
- 03
Visit the Walled Garden and, if timing suits, watch the penguin talk and feed.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: animals and gardens
- 01
Use the park map to plan a route through the animal areas.
- 02
Spend time at the Giraffe Walkway and Madagascar walkthrough.
- 03
Explore the Walled Garden and check the daily talk and feeding schedule.
- 04
Take a break at the café or picnic on the lawns, as available.
Full Wildland day · Full day
The full Wildland day: park, gardens and the manor backdrop
- 01
Check opening details, the park map and the day’s animal-talk schedule before travelling.
- 02
Explore the animal areas, including the Giraffe Walkway and Madagascar walkthrough.
- 03
Allow time for the Walled Garden, Tropical House and other exhibits that are open.
- 04
Pause for lunch at the park café or bring a picnic if current park arrangements allow.
- 05
Finish with a relaxed look across the parkland and the listed manor-house setting.
Verified history
The supplied source row says the park was established in 1970 by John Heyworth. Tripadvisor describes a Gothic listed manor house within the park; no further account of the house or its history is established by the supplied sources.
Hidden details
The ha-ha beside the rhino view — Tripadvisor describes a ha-ha between visitors and rhinos grazing in front of the Gothic listed manor house. Look for this landscape feature from the viewing area.
When to go
· Plan around the park’s current animal-talk schedule; the supplied official page advertises a daily penguin talk and feed at 11.00am and 3.00pm.
The supplied listing describes year-round visits, spring flowers and new animal births, summer gardens and longer days, autumn colour, and potentially quieter winter visits. These are general seasonal descriptions, not a guarantee of particular blooms, animal activity or crowd levels.
The supplied listing describes well-maintained paths and heated indoor exhibits. Check current conditions and facilities before travel.
Worth pairing with
Burford
The park is described as being near Burford. The supplied sources do not establish a particular café, route or attraction there as a verified pairing.
What to look for
Watch for giraffes from the Giraffe Walkway, lemurs in the Madagascar walkthrough, and rhinos grazing with the Gothic listed manor house behind them. In the Walled Garden, look for the penguins, meerkats, otters and prairie dogs mentioned by Tripadvisor.
The story
Listed Gothic manor house within a wildlife park and garden setting.
Best time to go
Open year-round according to the supplied listing; spring and summer suit the gardens, while quieter winter visits may offer a calmer experience. Check current opening information before setting out.
Check the current daily schedule before visiting and plan around the penguin talk and feed, advertised by the park at 11.00am and 3.00pm. Allow more than three hours for the visit, as indicated by Tripadvisor.
How long to spend
Full day
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Practical information
Opening & access
A visitor attraction with paid admission; book or check current ticket and opening information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The supplied listing reports ample free parking. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets, including accessible facilities, are reported at multiple locations in the supplied listing; check current provision.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The supplied listing reports an on-site café and picnic areas. Tripadvisor also describes a restaurant and picnicking on the lawns.
Dogs
Check the park’s current rules before visiting with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied listing reports wheelchair access, paved paths and ramps, accessible toilets and pram-friendly routes. Confirm route suitability and current facilities with the park.
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
