Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Road, Epping, Essex CM16 5HW
Get to Know Animals CIC
Zoo
Place photograph
3.9
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Cosy
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.9An indoor animal sanctuary where visitors can take their time observing rescued and rehomed animals, ask staff questions and, when suitable, arrange an animal-handling experience.
This is a small, indoor animal sanctuary rather than a wild landscape. Its distinctive appeal is the chance to learn about rescued and rehomed animals in a personal setting, with handling experiences arranged only when the animals are well and willing.
Cosy
Find your way
Open mapForest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Road, Epping, Essex CM16 5HW
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the indoor animal sanctuary at an unhurried pace. The official website says it houses more than 300 animals across around 70 species, all rescued or rehomed, and that visitors can ask questions and enquire at reception about meeting animals. Encounters depend on each animal’s health and mood.
Things to do
Observe the rescued animals
Take your time looking around the indoor sanctuary, which the official site says is home to more than 300 rescued or rehomed animals across around 70 species.
Ask the team about the animals
The venue encourages visitors to ask questions and talk with staff about the animals in their care.
Enquire about meeting an animal
Ask at reception whether an animal-meeting experience is available during your visit. The venue says experiences depend on the animals’ health and mood.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Take an unhurried sanctuary visit
- 01
Check the venue’s current opening information before travelling.
- 02
Walk around the indoor sanctuary and take time to observe the animals.
- 03
Ask staff questions about the animals and their backgrounds.
- 04
Ask at reception whether an animal-meeting experience is available; participation depends on the animals’ health and mood.
Verified history
The official website describes Get to Know Animals as a sanctuary for rescued and rehomed animals, all of which it says are former pets. An older Tripadvisor listing notes that the organisation moved from its Chingford location to a larger Epping venue in 2021; confirm current visitor information with the official site.
When to go
· No particular time of day is evidenced as better. Check current opening arrangements before visiting.
The attraction is described as an indoor sanctuary, so a seasonal outdoor setting is not central to the visit.
The attraction is described as indoors. Check travel conditions and current opening arrangements before setting off.
What to look for
Notice the variety of animals and ask staff about their backgrounds, care and needs. Do not assume an animal-handling encounter will be available: the venue says these depend on the animal’s health and mood.
Best time to go
Year-round; this is an indoor attraction. Check opening dates and times before visiting.
The venue describes public walk-in visits on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with selected school-holiday dates. Confirm the current schedule and last-entry time before setting off.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Animal lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The current venue is in Epping; an older Chingford listing says that former location closed in 2021. The official website describes public walk-in visits on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus selected school-holiday dates. Check current opening arrangements before travelling.
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Parking
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Toilets
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible toilet; check availability before visiting.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. Check directly with the venue about the route through the attraction and any specific access needs.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Get to Know Animals CIC
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Source image8.1Epping Forest
Loughton, Essex
1.2 km away
Source image3.5Home Mead
Loughton, IG10 2LA
2.1 km away
