Telford, Shropshire
Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park
Museum & collection
Place photograph
6.2
Wildland
2–3 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.2A compact wildlife park where habitat-themed animal zones share a site with a natural history museum featuring fossils, dinosaur skeletons and a publicly accessible fossil-preparation lab.
The wildlife park’s strongest distinction is the combination: habitat-themed animal areas and a substantial natural history museum on one visit, including a fossil-preparation lab described by the operator as one of only two publicly accessible labs in the UK.
Family-buzz · Quirky
Find your way
Open mapTelford, Shropshire
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the animal zones, then make time for the co-located Telford Natural History Museum. The museum’s fossil displays and fossil-preparation lab give this small wildlife park an unusually strong second act.
Things to do
Explore the habitat-themed animal zones
Visit the rainforest, desert, outback, nocturnal and farmyard areas listed by the operator, and look for the animals described on its site.
Visit Telford Natural History Museum
See the museum’s fossil displays and timeline interpretation; the operator says museum entry is included with zoo admission.
Look for the fossil-preparation lab
The operator describes a publicly accessible fossil-preparation lab. Check whether it is open to visitors during your visit.
Take a break at the Jungle Cafe
The operator describes a themed cafe serving hot and cold food and drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating. Check current service before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 2–3 hours
Quick Escape: animals and headline fossils
- 01
Explore the wildlife park’s habitat-themed zones and animal areas.
- 02
Visit Telford Natural History Museum, included with zoo admission according to the operator.
- 03
Prioritise the dinosaur skeletons and other major fossil displays if time is short.
Half day · Half day
Make a Half Day of It: zoo, museum and Jungle Cafe
- 01
Take your time through the rainforest, desert, outback, nocturnal and farmyard areas described by the operator.
- 02
Continue to the natural history museum and spend time with its fossil displays and palaeontology interpretation.
- 03
Pause at the themed Jungle Cafe for food or a drink, subject to current service.
Full Wildland day · Full day
The Full Wildland Day: zoo, museum and Telford Town Park
- 01
Explore Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park and its habitat-themed animal areas.
- 02
Visit the co-located Telford Natural History Museum; allow time for the fossil displays and check whether the fossil-preparation lab is accessible that day.
- 03
Extend the outing with Telford Town Park’s play areas, described by the supplied Tripadvisor listing as a five-minute walk away.
Verified history
The supplied sources describe Telford Natural History Museum as part of the Exotic Zoo site. The operator says its collection spans fossils from different periods and includes dinosaur skeletons, a T-rex skull, sabre-toothed cat remains and a Megalodon display. It also describes a publicly accessible fossil-preparation lab. No further dates or institutional history are established by the supplied evidence.
Hidden details
The fossil-preparation lab — The operator highlights a publicly accessible fossil-preparation lab and says it is one of only two such labs in the UK. Confirm visitor access on the day.
The zoo ticket includes a museum visit — The operator says admission to the zoo includes entry to Telford Natural History Museum, making the fossil collection part of the same visit.
When to go
· No independently verified quieter time is available; check current visitor information.
The source row recommends April–September, but the supplied sources do not substantiate a seasonal advantage for animal activity or visitor conditions.
Check the forecast and the venue’s current visitor information before travelling.
Worth pairing with
Telford Town Park play areas
A possible extension for families: the supplied Tripadvisor listing describes the park’s play areas as a five-minute walk from the zoo. Check current access and directions.
What to look for
In the museum, look for the real dinosaur skeletons, full-size T-rex skull, sabre-toothed cat remains and Megalodon display described by the operator. Check whether the fossil-preparation lab is accessible during your visit.
The story
Natural history, fossils and palaeontology.
Best time to go
The source row recommends April–September, but this seasonal advice is not independently verified; check current opening and event information before planning.
The source row suggests weekdays for a quieter visit, but this is not independently verified. Check the venue’s current opening and event information before setting out.
How long to spend
2–3 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Wildlife lovers · History lovers
Practical information
Opening & access
A public, ticketed wildlife park with Telford Natural History Museum included in zoo admission, according to the supplied sources. Check current booking and access details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
The source row says on-site parking is available; confirm current arrangements before travelling.
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The operator describes a themed Jungle Cafe serving hot and cold food and drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating. Check current service before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check with the venue before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Check current accessibility details with the venue before visiting; the supplied information is insufficient to verify access provision.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances