Animal experiences in Hampshire

Are you looking for farms, bird parks or zoos in Hampshire?

Being able to get up close and personal with animals in their natural habitats is easier than ever when in Hampshire. With some of the best viewing spots – a close encounter with wildlife is almost guaranteed when visiting one of the below. So, read on to discover some of the best animal experiences Hampshire has to offer.

Friendly Farms in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Manor Farm has you spoilt for choice if you like getting up and close to your favourite animals. From cute bunnies and lambs to farmyard favourites such as pigs and cows, there’s even alpacas to meet. Make sure you visit goat mountain and the poultry house too! 

There’s farmyard fun for everyone at Longdown Activity Farm. Bottle-feed the kid goats and calves, hold baby animals in the Animal Encounter Barn, and feed the ducks during a day full of animal activities. There’s lots of playtime fun to be found, along with the brilliant bumpy tractor ride (ground conditions permitting).

From ponies to llamas, ferrets to reptiles, and many more classic farm favourites, you’ll have a chance to meet plenty of furry friends at Staunton Farm. Animal feed is available to buy so that you can feed your favourite animals via our special feeding tubes located around the farm.

Feed the goats and sheep and meet newborn lambs in the spring at Butser Ancient Farm. Explore the world of experimental archaeology with a timeline of ancient homes from times gone by, set in a beautiful tranquil location within the South Downs National Park. 

Head to Tapnell Farm, one of Isle of Wight’s top attractions and meet some farmyard favourites including sheep, miniature donkeys, pigs and alpacas. More animal friends can be made with wallabies, cheeky meerkats, guinea pigs, rabbits and more! Find out about the animals in the Meet the Animals area with regular talks from the Farm Park keepers.

Animal Parks and Zoos in Hampshire

Unleash your inner explorer at Marwell Zoo, the biggest zoo in Hampshire! Spot exotic and endangered animals on your journey through the 140-acre beautiful parkland. There’s plenty for the whole family to admire such as Rothchild’s giraffes, white rhinos, Amur tigers, Humboldt penguins, red pandas, snow leopards and all three species of zebra (to name a few)! Download their new app for fun animal facts! 

The New Forest Wildlife Park is home to over 260 animals representing 40 species both native and from other parts of the world.  See four species of otters, wild roaming deer and wallabies, howling wolves, lynx, Scottish wildcats, the mighty Eurasian bison and some tiny harvest mouse.

Beautiful Bird Experiences

Plan a great day out at the Hawk Conservancy Trust! You can even make memories that last a lifetime with an adult, family, or children’s experience. Get close to and fly amazing birds of prey on a half or full day animal experience, hone your skills on a photographic workshop, or choose from a wide range of different close encounters, courses and experiences with these fascinating, majestic animals.

Birdworld is one of the largest bird parks in the country.  Watch penguins jump and dive for their lunch during daily penguin feeds and take part yourself with a Penguin Feeding Experience! Walkthrough the Outback Landing aviary and experience the sights and sounds of the Australian Outback’s most iconic bird species. Spend some quiet time in Owl Parliament and visit thet Jenny Wren Farm.

Animal Spotting in Hampshire’s New Forest and more

You may not instinctively think of some of the attractions as a place to come face-to-face with animals, but look again…

Did you know that Paultons Park is home to over 90 species of animals! Visit the meerkats in Little Africa, venture into the nocturnal house to say hello to the fennec foxes and take a stroll through the walkthrough aviary! You can also join the penguins for feeding time as the animal keepers tell you all about them! 

Cycling through The New Forest is one of the best ways to see the local wildlife in their natural habitat. From horses roaming the wide open plains, deer dancing through the trees to donkeys sunbathing in the warm rays and pigs foraging through the undergrowth. You’ll be sure to create special memories on your cycling adventures with Cyclexperience.

Join the Peregrines in their natural habitat and visit Winchester Cathedral’s Live Nest Cameras, providing the perfect insight into these incredible falcons. Watch the chicks grow, check-in at feeding time and look over them whilst they sleep. The cameras are streaming 24 hours a day and there’s always something to see.

Walk the Eling Tide Mill routes and see swans and wetland wildlife, you’ll also pass a site of Special Scientific interest.

Spot incredible wildlife at The Watercress Line as you travel by steam train through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside, adjacent to the South Downs National Park. See if you can spot a kestrel or even a deer.  The Watercress Line is also a dog friendly site and your dogs can travel free on the line!

Become a Beaulieu River nature expert on one of New Forest Activities canoe or kayak trips! Their experienced instructors will talk you through the different inhabitants of the river, including jellyfish and their resident seal whilst you learn the art of paddling.

Do you want to jump from tree to tree like a squirrel? How about clamber up a Tarzan net like an ape? What about flying down a zipline like a bird? Go Ape Southampton offers all this and more. So if you’re 1m+, why not come and feel at home with the animals themselves – you may even spot a few forest residents whilst you’re in the trees!

If you are hoping to spot some wildlife in the great outdoors, head over to the Country Parks of Lepe, Royal Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Itchen Valley.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of great zoos and animal experiences in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. For more ideas on other fantastic attractions to visit check our attractions and events pages and be sure to use our amazing vouchers to receive money off your days out! Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!