A Chilly but Fun Family Day at Twycross Zoo

Over the weekend, we wrapped up warm and headed to Twycross Zoo for a family day out with my sister and her kids. It was a crisp, cold day, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time! One of the best things about visiting Twycross is that it’s a partner zoo of Chester Zoo, which means we were able to use our membership cards for free entry—a huge bonus when planning days out with little ones.

Exploring the Zoo

Our first stop was the snow leopards, and wow, they were absolutely stunning. They were mostly lounging around, as cats do, but seeing them up close was incredible. Next, we wandered over to the zebras, which were much livelier. The kids were fascinated watching them graze and trot around their enclosure.

One of the biggest surprises of the day? The giant tortoises! They might not move quickly, but they’re so impressive to watch. The kids had so many questions about them—how old they were, what they eat, and why they move so slowly!

Then we made our way to the penguins, who were full of energy, waddling around and diving into the water. They’re always such a fun part of any zoo visit, and the kids could have watched them for ages.

And of course, we couldn’t miss the great apes—Twycross is the only zoo in the UK to house all four! We saw chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos, each with their own unique personalities. The kids loved watching them swing, play, and interact—it’s always fascinating to see how intelligent and expressive they are.

A Family-Friendly Day Out

Even though it was freezing, we had such a lovely time exploring. Twycross is a great size for younger kids—plenty to see without it feeling overwhelming. It’s a fantastic place to visit if you have a Chester Zoo membership, and we’ll definitely be back when it’s a bit warmer!

Have you been to Twycross Zoo? Let me know your favorite part!