Newquay Zoo

Cornwall's only zoo

Tucked into the sub-tropical gardens at Trenance, a short walk from Newquay town centre, Newquay Zoo is Cornwall's only zoo and one of the county's most popular family days out. The 13-acre site is run by Wild Planet Trust, a conservation and education charity that also operates Paignton Zoo in Devon, and the animal collection reflects that conservation focus alongside the entertainment.

Residents include lions, African painted dogs, red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, Visayan warty pigs and a wide range of reptiles and smaller creatures, spread across planted enclosures that make the most of the gardens' lush, established setting. Talks and feeding sessions run through the day, giving visitors a chance to get closer to the keepers and hear more about the animals and the conservation work behind the scenes.

Because the zoo sits within Trenance Gardens, it combines easily with the neighbouring Trenance Leisure Gardens and boating lake, and it's an easy walk or short drive from Newquay's beaches and harbour, making it a natural anchor for a full day out in the town.