Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, near Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Unusual place
Place photograph
5.8
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8A 90-acre wildlife park near Canterbury where a family day out is linked to captive breeding, conservation and reintroduction work. The official site also describes an Ice Age-themed Woodland Walk.
Howletts is a substantial wildlife park with a conservation story, not a wild landscape or a conventional nature reserve. Its strongest Wildland appeal is the combination of close-up animal viewing, keeper-led experiences and the unusual prehistoric-themed Woodland Walk.
Family-buzz · Wildlife-focused
Find your way
Open mapBekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, near Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Plan around the animals and the conservation story rather than treating Howletts as a wild nature reserve. The supplied official material supports animal viewing, keeper-led experiences and the Animals of the Ice Age Woodland Walk; it does not establish a specific route, duration or current animal schedule.
Things to do
See the animals
Explore the wildlife park and look for animals named in the supplied listing information, including gorillas, tigers and monkeys. Current animal displays may change; check the official site before visiting.
Take the Animals of the Ice Age Woodland Walk
The official site describes a Woodland Walk with life-size prehistoric creatures. Check current availability and visitor details before making this a central part of your visit.
Look into an animal keeper experience
The official site describes small-group Animal Experiences Days escorted by an expert keeper, with access to an exclusive area. These are experiences to check and book through the park, not activities to assume are included with general admission.
Explore the conservation work behind the visit
Howletts says visits support conservation work involving captive breeding, education and reintroduction. Read the park’s current explanation to understand how the visitor experience connects to that work.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check before visiting
Quick Escape: choose a wildlife highlight
- 01
Check current opening details and ticket arrangements on the official Howletts website.
- 02
Choose a short visit focused on animals or an available keeper-led experience.
- 03
Check whether the Ice Age-themed Woodland Walk is open and suits your visit.
Half day · Half day; confirm the time needed with the park
Make a half day of it: animals and the Woodland Walk
- 01
Plan a visit around the animal park and the animals you most want to see.
- 02
Allow time for the official site’s Animals of the Ice Age Woodland Walk, if available.
- 03
Consider an Animal Experiences Day only after checking booking requirements and availability.
Verified history
The supplied official source describes Howletts as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation charity. It says its work includes captive breeding, education and reintroduction, and that visits support conservation efforts. The available material does not establish a fuller historical account of the park or its founding.
Hidden details
The Woodland Walk has an Ice Age theme — The official site describes life-size prehistoric creatures along the Animals of the Ice Age Woodland Walk. Check current access and presentation before visiting.
The visit is linked to conservation work — Howletts presents the visitor experience as supporting its conservation charity and describes captive breeding, education and reintroduction work. The source does not specify the impact of an individual ticket.
When to go
· No best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current opening hours and experience schedules before visiting.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal advantage. Check current opening information and the availability of specific experiences.
Check the forecast and the park’s current visitor information before travelling; the supplied sources give no weather-specific advice.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the animals named in the source row, including gorillas, tigers and monkeys. The official site also highlights endangered species and an Ice Age-themed Woodland Walk
- 02
check the current park information for what is on display.
The story
Conservation
Best time to go
Check current opening and experience availability before visiting; no best season is established by the supplied sources.
Check the park’s current opening information and any keeper-experience schedule before travelling. The supplied sources do not identify a best time of day.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Teens · Wildlife lovers · Groups
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A ticketed wildlife park and sanctuary. The supplied official site offers ticket booking and animal experience days; check current availability and visiting details before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Toilets
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible toilet; confirm availability before visiting.
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row lists a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. Confirm current access arrangements directly with the park.
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Howletts Wild Animal Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph5.6Wingham Wildlife Park
Rusham Road, Wingham, near Canterbury, Kent CT3 1JL
5.1 km away
Source image5.2Grove Ferry Picnic Site
Grove Ferry Road, near Upstreet, Canterbury, Kent CT3 4BP
7.0 km away
