Zoos & Animal Farms
around Greater Manchester and the Northwest Region

These venues are all within a day's return trip by car from Manchester City Centre, and have been verified by the author.

Chatsworth Farmyard

Chatsworth, Edensor, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP. Tel: 01246-583139.
Seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth is one of Derbyshire's most celebrated and largest country residences - about 1½ hours drive from Manchester. Many domestic animals on view, as well as fish, and cows being milked. Adventure Playground. Located about a ½ mile east of Edensor village on the A623, 4 miles east of Bakewell. About 1½ hours drive from Manchester (longer at peak times) via the A6 road to Stockport, Buxton and Bakewell, well signposted as you approach Bakewell. 16 miles from Junction 29 on the M1 Motorway, signposted "Chesterfield". Also Stables Restaurant, refreshment and snacks concessions, extensive parking, tours of the house, and extensive gardens - an excellent picnic opportunity. Children's adventure playground, farm shop nearby. Frequent events held - angling, shooting, crafts fairs. House & Gardens open from the end of March to the end of October daily from 11.00am-4.30pm. The farmyard and adventure playground are open during the same months but from 10.30am-4.30pm. Buses regularly from Bakewell village.

See also Chatsworth - Main Entry

Chester Zoo

2 miles north of Chester City Centre,
Upton-by-Chester. Tel: 01244-380280.
Open from 9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days a week including Bank Holidays - times may have changed - please check before setting out..
The UK's largest zoo, set in 110 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland. Attractions include Chimpanzee Island, Penguin Pool, Tropical House, Children's Farm, and many others. Free parking for cars and coaches. Disabled facilities and virtually full wheelchair access. Restaurants, cafés and fast food stalls. Gift and souvenir shops. Regular bus services from Chester City Centre.
About 1 hour's drive by car from Manchester along the M56 motorway, well signposted as you approach Chester.

Chestnut Centre Conservation Park

Castleton Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Tel: 01298-814099.
Open daily from 10.30am-5.30pm through summer, and on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February from 10.30am-dusk.
See the Great American Otter here, as well as the biggest selection of otter species in Britain. Also a great variety of Owls.

Cronkshaw Fold Farm & Study Centre

Set in Rossendale, this is a traditional working hill farm with cows, sheep, pigs and poultry. There is also an organic fruit and vegetable garden. Open to the public on the 2nd Sunday of every month from April to September 1.00pm-4.00pm.
For more information, Tel: 01706-218614.

Heaton Park Farm Centre

Prestwich, North Manchester. Tel: 0161-773 1085.
Many domesticated animals and breeding programmes : cows, pigs, chicks, goats, donkeys, etc. School parties welcome. Call for details.

See also Heaton Park - Main Entry.

Hullown Farm

Located 2½ miles east of Colne in Lancashire tours are available for groups of 10 or more people around their rare breeds animal farm. There is also a well stocked trout fishery. Tel: 01282-869789.

Only Foals & Horses

Redshell Stables, Oswaldtwistle.
Horses, ponies and donkeys, as you'd expect, but also a variety of other animals. Open 1.00pm-4.00pm daily. Special events and open days.
For more information, Tel: 01254-235559.

Shore Hey Farm

Briercliffe, near Burnley.
Set in the hills above Burnley, home to HAPPA one of Britain's oldest charities devoted to the protection of horses and donkeys. Open to the public 7 days a week from 10.00am-4.00pm. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated.

Southport Zoo

Princes Park, Pleasureland, Southport. Tel: 01704-538102.
Five acres of landscaped gardens and a good selection of big cats, reptile house with snake-handling sessions (!), porcupines, llamas and penguins. Open daily from 10.00am-4.00pm (winter), and until 6.00pm in summer.

See also Southport - Main Entry

Stapeley Water Gardens

London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire.
Website: www.stapeleywatergardens.com
Email: stapeleywg@btinternet.com
Tel: 01270-623868 and 628628. Fax: 01270-624919 and 624188
There is something for everyone at the World's largest water garden centre. Display gardens and pools with the National Collection of water lilies in bloom during the summer. All your gardening and water gardening supplies. Gift shops and restaurants. The Palms Tropical Oasis, a huge glass house home to tropical plants, fish, birds and animals. Discover colourful reef fish and poisonous lionfish amidst some of the most exciting environments. Europe's premiere angler's superstore. , Extended and modernised pet centre.
New Shark Bay - Baby Black Tipped Reef Sharks (The Palms Tropical Oasis).
Opening Times:
Summer: Daily from 9am - 6pm (except for The Palms Tropical Oasis which opens daily from 10am - 6pm), Sunday 10am - 4pm, Bank Holidays 10am - 6pm. Winter: Daily from 9am - 5pm (except for The Palms Tropical Oasis which opens daily from 10am - 5pm), Bank Holidays 10am - 5pm
Angling opens every Wednesday night until 8pm, Stapeley Water Gardens opens every Wednesday in summer until 8pm).
Open every day except Easter Sunday and Christmas Day (except for The Palms Tropical Oasis which is open on Christmas Day for pre-booked lunches and Easter Sunday 10am - 6pm).
Admission Prices:
Individuals: Adults £3.85 Senior Citizens £3.40 Children £2.15 (between 4 & 14 years) Special Rates for Groups of 15 or more: Adults: £3.40 Senior Citizens: £2.85 Children: £1.85
Location:
Junction 16 on M6 Motorway 1 mile south of Nantwich on A51 to Stone, follow brown tourist signs.

NOTE
Please note that times and prices may have changed since this was written - please check before setting out.

See Also - Stapely Water Gardens - Main Entry

The Fisherman's Retreat, Twine Valley

Riding Head Lane, Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0HH.
Tel: 01706-825314. Fax: 01706-821815.
Email: info@fishermansretreat.com.
Website: www.fishermansretreat.com.
Predominantly a restaurant, but with other facilities including deer, charolias, and saddleback pigs which are all part of the farm and not always available for public viewing. Also offers Coarse Fishing on a membership basis (not Fly Fishing), and access to 80 acres of beautiful countryside.

Animal Farm Castleton

Castleton, Derbyshire
Based in the picturesque village of Castleton, at the foot of the famous mountain Mam collection of British farm animals who face extinction, and the opportunity to learn about animals and local crafts. In addition to the animals, there are activities including dry-stone walling and panning for Blue John, picnic areas and a dog park. Because of the very hilly terrain in the Peak District, Animal Farm is unsuitable for people using wheelchairs and wheelchair users should contact the Farm in advance of their visit so that alternative arrangements acn be made for access and to meet the animals.

Opening times: April to end of September: daily 10.00am – 5.00pm; October to Christmas and half terms: weekends and by appointment 10.00 – 4.00pm; Christmas to end of March: advanced bookings only.

Admission prices: Children under two go free;
Children under sixteen years and concessions: £3.00; Adults: £4.00; PA to a disabled guest: free; Groups over six people 10% discount; Groups over ten people 15% discount.
Please contact in advance for information and prices for school and coach parties.

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