Places to See Animals Near Great Yarmouth – there are so many wonderful places to visit near Great Yarmouth especially if you are an animal lover. From reef sharks at SEA LIFE, snakes at Pettitts or pet lambs at Hirsty’s Family Funpark, there are plenty of animal experiences to choose from!
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Filby Rd, Thrigby, Great Yarmouth NR29 3DR
Thrigby Hall has a collection of rare animals that you can view from wooden walkways. They have some really exotic big cats like a pair of critically endangered Sumatran Tigers, a pair of Snow Leopards, an Amur Leopard, Clouded Leopard and an Asian Golden Cat. They also have some cuties like meercats, otters and red pandas. The Hall is open every day from 10am and as well as viewing the animals you can take part in informative animal feed talks.
Pettitts Animal Adventure Park
Church Rd, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3UA
As well as thrilling rides and fun play areas Pettitts Animal Adventure Park have lots of animals to see. There are lots of exotic species, with snakes such as the California King Snake, Burmese Python, Speckled King Snake, Royal Python, Sinaloan Milk Snake and Boa Constrictor. Other reptiles include the comically named Common Chuckwalla, Bearded Dragon and the Spiny Tailed Monitor. If you are looking for something more fluffy then they also have Wallabies, African Pygmy Goats, Alpacas and a Shetland Pony. During the season the park is open every day from 10am until 5pm.
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth NR30 3AH
If underwater creatures are more your thing then SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth is perfect for you. Inside you will find different aquarium zones such as ‘Jelly Invaders’, where you will learn all about the life cycle of a jellyfish as well as seeing some incredible specimens of these eerie but beautiful creatures. I also love the Ocean Tunnel, a glass tunnel through a huge tropical ocean display where you can see some of the largest inhabitants of SEA LIFE such as green sea turtles and reef sharks. My favourite are the cute Humboldt Penguins!
See our review of SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth here.
Africa Alive!
Whites Ln, Kessingland, Lowestoft NR33 7TF
Africa Alive is a 100 acre park, in the centre is the ‘Plains of Africa’ where you can see five different species of African Savannah animals including giraffes and rhinos. They also run ‘Plains of Africa’ experiences where you can get up close with the animals. There are also feeding talks and ‘Birds of Prey’ displays as well as indoor and outdoor adventure play areas. At Africa Alive! you will see African Lions, Aardvarks, Congo Buffalo, Cheetahs, Ring-Tailed Lemurs and Yellow Mongooses (amongst many others).
Hirsty’s Family Funpark
Yarmouth Road, Hemsby, NR29 4NL
Hirsty’s Family Funpark has some fabulous play equipment including a zip wire, hay bale mountain and crazy welly croquet. Over the summer they have a Mega Maize Maze, as well as a Mini Maze for the little ones. There are bouncy castles and trampolines where the kids can burn off energy, as well as an arts and craft tent when you need them to chill out a bit. The Hunger Hut sells a range of food, including burgers and baked potatoes. Otherwise you could have an afternoon coffee and cake. There are pet lambs in the spring.
Also check out our post on Fantastic Family Friendly Things to do in Great Yarmouth.
