Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World
If you’re looking for a family day out where you can see animals, getting really close to some of your favourites, wander amongst giant dinosaurs and give the kids plenty of space to run around on the play area, Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford is definitely one to put on your list.
Located just outside Telford, Hoo Zoo has grown from what was originally Hoo Farm Country Park into a proper zoo, with more than 100 species of animals to discover.
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Top Info
📅 Open Daily
🐺 See wolves, big cats, lemurs, meerkats, reptiles etc
🦖 Dinosaur World with HUGE animatronic dinosaurs
🥕 Buy food to feed some of the animals
🐒 Book animal experiences
🗺️ Download the app or buy a £1 map
📸 Take a photo of the timetable for talks
🛝 Children's play areas
☕️ Cafe on site
🥪 Picnic areas
🎁 Gift shop
👶 Pushchair friendly
👨🦼 Accessible for all
🎟️ Annual passes available
🌎 Hoo, Hadley, Telford TF6 6DJ
Check out their website here https://www.hoo-zoo.com/
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🐾 The Animals
For me, the animals are obviously the main reason to visit, and there’s a really good variety here.
You can wander around the different enclosures. There are wolves, big cats, lemurs, meerkats and reptiles, birds and the famous Cababara Cinnamon.
Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Animals Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Animals Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Animals
The size and style of the enclosures means you get a really good view of alot of the animals. Some of them are even open walk throughs so you can get super close to the wallabys and lemurs. We managed to see the majority of the animals which is definety a game changer as there is nothing worst than not beable able to see the animals when visiting a zoo.
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One of the things I liked about Hoo Zoo that it is a good size, not massive so you aren't walking your legs off all day. But big enough to be able to spend a full day wandering from animal to animal.
If your children like getting closer to the animals, you can also buy pots of animal feed and get involved with feeding some of the animals. There are handwashing stations around the zoo too, which is definitely handy when you have children getting involved with the animals.
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🦖 Dinosaur World
Then there’s Dinosaur World, which is where Hoo Zoo becomes something a little different from your usual zoo.
The dinosaur area is filled with absolutely massive animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, with sound effects and plenty of them moving and roaring as you make your way around.
I honestly think these dinosaurs are the best ones I've seen. The movements and set ups genuinely made me go Wow when i saw them. The dinosaurs really add another level to Hoo Zoo and if you have a dinosaur fan with you, this gives them a completely different part of the attraction to explore.
The area is in a woodland where the path meanders through large trees meaning you sometimes don't see the next group of dinosaurs till you turn the corner. Making it feel more immersive than simply having a few models dotted around a field.
Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Children's Play Area Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Children's Play Area Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Children's Play Area
🛝 More Than Just a Zoo
There are play areas and spaces where the kids can let off some steam between exploring the zoo and Dinosaur World. Including a toddler area plus a bigger play area with a pirate ship climbing frame, zip wire and even a big bouncing pillow.
There are picnic areas too, so taking a picnic is definitely an option if you want to keep the cost of your day down. There are food and drink options available on site as well, we stopped for extra drinks and ice creams during our visit as it was super hot.
Meerkat Experience at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Meerkat Experience at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World
🐒 Animal Experiences
If you want to make your visit extra special, Hoo Zoo offers a selection of animal experiences, including lemurs and meerkats.
We booked the Meerkat Experience through Wowcher, which gave us a great saving, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of our day. The girls got a full hour with three different groups of meerkats, from playful youngsters who were climbing all over us, to the older, much calmer meerkats and finally the adorable babies.
It was a really personal experience too, with just one other family in our group, and the keeper shared lots of information and stories about the different meerkats and their personalities. The girls loved being able to feed them, and one of the babies even climbed up my daughter's trouser leg!
Meerkat Experience at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Meerkat Experience at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Meerkat Experience at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World
It was such a lovely experience and definitely something I would recommend adding to your visit if your children love animals.
[Read my full Meerkat Experience review here]
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⏰ How Long Do You Need?
We spent all day at the zoo. Arriving at 11 for our Meerkat experince which lasted an hour and then we spent till 5pm exploring the zoo. It was easily enough time to see everything without feeling rushed, but equally, we never found ourselves running out of things to do or see.
💭 Our Thoughts
I think Hoo Zoo works really well as a family day out because there’s a good mix of things to keep different ages interested.
You have the animals for the animal lovers, Dinosaur World for the dinosaur fans, animal feeding and experiences for those who want something more hands-on, and play areas for when the children need a break from walking around.
It also has a much more relaxed feel than some of the huge zoos where you can spend the entire day walking miles between exhibits. Here, you can take your time, stop and watch the animals, have a picnic and let the kids play without feeling like you have to tick everything off.
And if you have children who love both animals AND dinosaurs, then it’s an especially good combination.
Check out their website here https://www.hoo-zoo.com/
Press visit Aug 2026
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