Tilgate Park, Tilgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 5PQ
Tilgate Zoo
Zoo
Place photograph
4.8
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.8More than 100 animals, from owls and parrots to reptiles and mammals, make this compact zoo one part of a much bigger green-space day in Tilgate Park.
The zoo earns its place as an animal-focused visit with the option to widen the day into Tilgate Park’s lakes, woodland paths, gardens and tree trail. Its strongest appeal is this combination of animal encounters and a varied park setting, rather than wilderness or a claim of exceptional rarity.
Family-buzz · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapTilgate Park, Tilgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 5PQ
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit the zoo to see a varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Keeper talks are advertised daily at 12:00, with other times shown on the board. Animal encounters are available to book; check availability and age requirements.
Things to do
Explore the animal collection
See the zoo’s collection of more than 100 animals across mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
Catch a keeper talk
The zoo advertises a keeper talk at 12:00 every day and says to check the board for other times.
Book an animal experience
The zoo advertises bookable animal encounters, including a lemur feeding experience. Check availability and the stated age requirements before booking.
Explore the Walled Garden and maze
The Walled Garden includes several styles of planting and a maze with a lookout tower. Crawley Borough Council gives the route from the maze entrance to the tower base as 135 metres.
Walk beside Tilgate Lake
The park’s official information describes a marked path around Tilgate Lake and paths through the wider park’s woodlands and gardens. Check conditions and route details locally.
Follow the champion tree trail
The park’s tree trail identifies 30 trees noted as champions of their species. Look for each tree’s name and number; a leaflet and activity sheet are available through the zoo’s listed channels.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow a couple of hours; check visit length and last entry before travelling.
Quick Escape: Meet the animals
- 01
Enter the zoo through the Walled Garden.
- 02
Explore the animal collection, which the official website says includes more than 100 animals.
- 03
If timing suits, catch the advertised daily keeper talk at 12:00; check the board for other talk times.
Half day · Half day
Make a Half Day of It: Zoo and Walled Garden
- 01
Explore the zoo and its different animal groups.
- 02
Check the board for keeper-talk times and consider booking an animal experience in advance.
- 03
Spend time in the Walled Garden, where Crawley Borough Council lists gardens, a maze and a café; check current opening details.
Full Wildland day · Full day
The Full Wildland Day: Zoo, gardens and lakeside park
- 01
Start with the zoo and check the board for keeper-talk times.
- 02
Explore the Walled Garden and its maze.
- 03
Take a walk by Tilgate Lake or use the marked park paths; Crawley Borough Council describes woodland paths and bridleways across the wider park.
- 04
Finish with a stop at one of the park cafés, checking opening times before you go.
Verified history
The Walled Garden once formed part of the Tilgate Estate. Crawley Borough Council describes its past uses as a kitchen garden for the gentry and a horticultural research station; it is now maintained as a public garden.
Hidden details
The zoo entrance leads through the Walled Garden — The zoo’s official park information says visitors access the zoo through the Walled Garden, which has its own garden displays and maze.
Thirty champion trees to find — The park tree trail identifies 30 trees as champions of their particular species; each is marked with a name and number.
When to go
· Check the zoo’s current opening information and time your visit around the advertised 12:00 keeper talk if that interests you.
The supplied evidence does not identify a best season for the zoo itself. Crawley Borough Council notes that the wider park’s rhododendrons bloom in spring.
Check the forecast before combining the zoo with outdoor park paths and gardens. Confirm current opening and access information before travelling.
Worth pairing with
Tilgate Park’s Walled Garden and maze
A natural extension to a zoo visit: the garden has varied planting, a maze and a café, according to Crawley Borough Council.
Tilgate Lake and park paths
Add a lakeside walk to the animal visit; the park’s official information describes a marked path around the lake and paths through woodland and gardens.
Lakeside Café
A park café option listed by Crawley Borough Council; check seasonal opening times before visiting.
What to look for
Look for the variety across the animal groups: the source lists mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and invertebrates. The zoo website’s gallery includes a barn owl, emu, meerkat, serval and Chinese crocodile lizard.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Any season; check current opening details before travelling.
The zoo’s supplied website lists opening hours of 10am–6pm, with last entry at 5pm. Check the current schedule before setting out; the website says to check the on-site board for keeper-talk times beyond the daily 12:00 talk.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Teens · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-6pm
- Tuesday: 10am-6pm
- Wednesday: 10am-6pm
- Thursday: 10am-6pm
- Friday: 10am-6pm
- Saturday: 10am-6pm
- Sunday: 10am-6pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Located in Tilgate Park and accessed through the Walled Garden. Zoo admission applies; check current ticketing, opening information and access arrangements before visiting. The supplied listing reports step-free access features, including an accessible entrance, car park, seating and toilet.
Check before visiting
Parking
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. Check current parking location, charges and availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Check facilities and availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Tilgate Park has a Lakeside Café and a Walled Garden Café, according to Crawley Borough Council. Check current opening times.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in the Walled Garden, through which the zoo is accessed. Check current zoo and park rules before travelling with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. Check directly for current access details and any route-specific requirements.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Tilgate Zoo
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.0Gatwick Aviation Museum
Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood, Gatwick RH6 0BT
6.9 km away
Source image4.3Eastern Road Nature Reserve
Eastern Road, Lindfield, Haywards Heath RH16 2LP
12.0 km away
